Only the Valiant (1951)

Introduction
"Only the Valiant" is a 1951 American Western film directed by Gordon Douglas. Produced by William Cagney, the film stars Gregory Peck, Barbara Payton, and Ward Bond. The screenplay was adjusted from Charles Marquis Warren's 1943 novel of the same name.

Plot
The plot focuses on U.S. Army Cavalry Captain Richard Lance (Gregory Peck), who is unjustly reprimanded and damned after benching his officer Lieutenant Holloway (Gig Young) over infatuation for Cathy Eversham (Barbara Payton), an officer's lady at Fort Invincible. Lance, misconstrued by his soldiers, is later assigned a seemingly self-destructive objective on behalf of his commander.

Mission
The story unfolds after a tremendous success where American forces catch Tucsos, a fearsome and highly regarded Indian war chief. Lance decides to send Holloway to provide the war prisoner to another fort for a reasonable trial. Nevertheless, Holloway is assailed on the way, and Tucsos leaves. Lance, held responsible for this escape, is handed a nearly difficult job. He is expected to lead a small band of soldiers to recapture a tactically vital mountain pass that Tucsos is anticipated to utilize to attack.

The Team
The band of soldiers under Lance's command includes turns down, misfits, and disciplinary cases from the army that he himself had penalized in the past. As such, there is palpable tension, and their loyalty are genuinely tested throughout the objective. Lance's difficulty is twofold - to complete the objective effectively and win the trust of his males.

Conflict and Resolution
Throughout the harsh journey, Lance's leadership skills and moral stability are continuously scrutinized and undermined by his group, especially by Trooper Kebussyan (Lon Chaney Jr.) and Sergeant Ben Murdock (Neville Brand), who have an old rating to settle with him. Regardless of this, Lance manages to win their trust through his undeviating resolve, sheer bravery, and tactical brilliance.

The climax involves an intense battle where Lance and his guys combat valiantly. Through their collective efforts, undying spirit, and determination, they manage to prevent Tucsos from using the mountain pass. Despite facing many problems, Lance becomes a true hero by effectively finishing the mission against all chances.

Conclusion
"Only the Valiant" shows that courage is not just about brave deeds on the battlefield but also about standing up against oppression and adhering to one's ethical convictions. Its main theme is the improvement of a damned Captain into a respected leader through his constant demonstration of bravery and resilience versus all chances.

Even though the movie's representation of Native Americans and the romantic subplot received some criticism, "Only the Valiant" overall offers a dramatic and insightful view of management, guts, and integrity in the face of difficulty. This film strongly bases on the dictum that it's "Only the Valiant" who perseveres and unwavering in every circumstance, regardless of its approaching threat or reprisal.

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