{"id":8638,"date":"2009-07-27T16:58:08","date_gmt":"2009-07-27T23:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=8638"},"modified":"2021-12-23T15:30:13","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T22:30:13","slug":"command-the-1954","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=8638","title":{"rendered":"Command, The (1954)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got a uniform and a conscience. Right now, the uniform covers the conscience.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Poster2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Poster2-197x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-58307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Poster2-197x300.png 197w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Poster2-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Poster2-177x270.png 177w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Poster2.png 541w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA cavalry doctor (Guy Madison) reluctantly takes command of a troop when its officer dies, and must hide his real identity when asked to help Infantrymen escort a wagon train through hostile Indian territory.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cavalry<\/li>\n<li>Doctors and Nurses<\/li>\n<li>James Whitmore Films<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken Identities<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nSamuel Fuller co-wrote the screenplay for this shoot-&#8217;em-up cavalry flick about an &#8220;accidental&#8221; military leader (Madison) whose all-purpose savvy and willingness to think outside the box serve him well in highly stressful situations. Madison &#8212; star of the 1950s television series &#8220;The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok&#8221; &#8212; is well-cast in the central role as the humble yet brave doctor-turned-captain, while James Whitmore as his right-hand man is as solid as ever. Director David Butler makes fine use of new widescreen capabilities, with some impressive shots of a lengthy wagon train crossing the prairie, and a row of Indians perched along the ridge of a hill. Unfortunately, Fuller&#8217;s screenplay frequently devolves into cliche: Madison is given a conventional love interest (Joan Weldon):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-1024x412.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"258\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-1024x412.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-300x121.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-128x52.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-768x309.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-1536x618.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2-604x243.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Weldon2.png 1831w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n&#8230; an annoying &#8220;comedic&#8221; wiseacre (Harvey Lembeck) insists on questioning Madison&#8217;s authority:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-1024x412.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"258\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-1024x412.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-300x121.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-768x309.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-1536x617.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck-604x243.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Lembeck.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and the Indians &#8212; who, naturally, lack any distinctive personalities &#8212; are repeatedly demeaned (Madison refers to them as possessing a &#8220;child&#8217;s logic&#8221; and &#8220;lacking civilization&#8221;). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-1024x419.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"262\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-1024x419.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-128x52.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-768x315.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-1536x629.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2-604x247.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians2.png 1819w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-1024x413.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"258\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-1024x413.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-300x121.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-128x52.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-768x309.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-1536x619.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians-604x243.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Indians.png 1809w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, however, <em>The Command<\/em> remains an enjoyable western, and is certainly worth viewing once. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> <em>The Command<\/em> is notable as the first widescreen western of the 1950s, and Warner Brothers&#8217; first Cinemascope production.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Guy Madison as Dr. MacClaw<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-1024x417.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"261\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-1024x417.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-128x52.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-768x313.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-1536x626.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-604x246.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison.png 1823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>James Whitmore as Sergeant Elliott<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-1024x410.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-1024x410.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-1536x615.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore-604x242.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Madison-Whitmore.png 1827w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine use of widescreen cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-1024x409.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-1024x409.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-1536x613.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen-604x241.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-Widescreen.png 1841w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The exciting final shoot-out<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-1024x419.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"262\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-1024x419.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-128x52.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-768x315.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-1536x629.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut-604x247.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/Command-ShootOut.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s certainly worth a look. Listed as a Sleeper in the back of Peary&#8217;s book.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0046865\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1954\/01\/16\/archives\/the-wide-west-in-cinemascope.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/allmovie.com\/work\/the-command-87675\">All Movie Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/the-command\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got a uniform and a conscience. Right now, the uniform covers the conscience.&#8221; Synopsis: A cavalry doctor (Guy Madison) reluctantly takes command of a troop when its officer dies, and must hide his real identity when asked to help Infantrymen escort a wagon train through hostile Indian territory. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Cavalry Doctors and Nurses James Whitmore Films Mistaken Identities Westerns Review: Samuel Fuller co-wrote the screenplay for this shoot-&#8217;em-up cavalry flick about an &#8220;accidental&#8221; military leader&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=8638\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8638"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79065,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8638\/revisions\/79065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}