tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post5160566404977059060..comments2023-10-28T11:09:18.671+05:30Comments on Cinemascope: Major Dundee [1965]Shubhajithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-11592943882063057902013-07-01T21:15:43.845+05:302013-07-01T21:15:43.845+05:30Thanks a lot Sam. Yes, the parallels with Melville...Thanks a lot Sam. Yes, the parallels with Melville's Moby Dick make for an crucial point for discussion, though it would be difficult to ascertain whether or not it was a conscious act on Peckinpah's part. Though the protagonists in both were obsessed by the quests, despite the inherent folly in them, their motivations were quite different - Dundee's motive wasn't as personal as Captain Ahab. Neither was Dundee as monomaniac as Ahab (interestingly, Wayne's character in The Searchers was, since you mentioned that film). But yes, as I agreed above, this does make reading of the film more interesting - particularly among students of Film Studies.Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-85898544380123341002013-07-01T10:00:25.418+05:302013-07-01T10:00:25.418+05:30"Apart from the personal and political rivalr..."Apart from the personal and political rivalries among the American soldiers, the film provided a damning portrayal of the amount of devastation that accompanies any act of aggression, and in turn the morality of that act."<br /><br />Yep, great point! The opening scene and the one after the funeral recall THE SEARCHERS, (the FORT APACHE parallels are obvious too) and the main criticism of the film by many is that the story/characters bear resemblance to Melville's MOBY DICK. It's an intricate western that will only rise in estimation over time, and you've assessed it superbly. Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.com