I caught this film on a cable channel specialising in older films from the 'Golden Age of Hollywood'. It shows a wide range films from famous classics to well made but dated "B" features and, frankly, some weird and eccentric efforts ("Fire Maidens From Outer Space" being an example!). There is however an advantage in this policy for we film buffs as a wider range of films can be seen than are to be found on the regular mainstream entertainment channels. So it was that I decided to watch Chuka on the strength of the big names in the cast.
It is worth seeing this film to just experience how strange it is. As others have said it is a Western version of Beau Geste, which I did not mind.
The first oddity of this film for me was some contrived and intense scenes squeezed in between longer periods of boredom. The cast are excellent and the acting is on form but I could not help but be reminded of some of the actors past performance successes. I am thinking here of John Mills as the highly strung Colonel in "Tunes of Glory", and Ernest Borgnine reprising his fighting menace as in "From Here to Eternity".
However the biggest problem with this film is that this it is almost entirely studio bound. For modern eyes, used to CGI and subtle and realistic lighting, it is glaringly obvious. Whether it is day or night, the characters all walk around with four shadows and implausible up-lighting. Sadly the matte effects even look amateurish and cheap. There are only a couple of outdoor scenes that appear to be realistic and are probably actually second unit work.
In conclusion, its not bad - just odd. The last gasp of Hollywood Westerns let down by its pervading TV movie atmosphere.
It is worth seeing this film to just experience how strange it is. As others have said it is a Western version of Beau Geste, which I did not mind.
The first oddity of this film for me was some contrived and intense scenes squeezed in between longer periods of boredom. The cast are excellent and the acting is on form but I could not help but be reminded of some of the actors past performance successes. I am thinking here of John Mills as the highly strung Colonel in "Tunes of Glory", and Ernest Borgnine reprising his fighting menace as in "From Here to Eternity".
However the biggest problem with this film is that this it is almost entirely studio bound. For modern eyes, used to CGI and subtle and realistic lighting, it is glaringly obvious. Whether it is day or night, the characters all walk around with four shadows and implausible up-lighting. Sadly the matte effects even look amateurish and cheap. There are only a couple of outdoor scenes that appear to be realistic and are probably actually second unit work.
In conclusion, its not bad - just odd. The last gasp of Hollywood Westerns let down by its pervading TV movie atmosphere.