Exceptional mid-50's Mann Western that somehow fell into obscurity

If you can get past the hopelessly hokey opening & closing song, this is a surprisingly great, original Western and one of Anthony Mann's best. The main role was originally intended for Brando, who certainly would've been interesting, but Mature performs with his beaming gusto.

While it might not seem like it on paper, the setting and plot are original for a Western and, believe it or not, this is easily the best fort & cavalry Western I've ever seen. No kidding. The characters aren't one-dimensional and are therefore interesting.

Take, for instance, Preston's Colonel Marston: He's sort of made out to be the antagonist, but you can't help respect his decisiveness, courage and honorability. A lesser man, for example, would've hated the young Captain (Madison) for defying him whereas the Colonel actually respects him for his bold actions and even commends him(!). He understandably seeks redemption for his gallant failure at Shiloh, which unnecessarily cost the lives of a thousand men. This would be fine if it were only HIS life on the line rather than an entire brigade of raw recruits in the remote wilderness.

The love affair subplot is handled well and the action-packed climax is unpredictable, although one-element (the final one) is eye-rolling and tacked-on by the studio (NOT approved by Mann). Nevertheless, "The Last Frontier" was a huge hit at the box off. It's akin to a mid-50's version of the remarkable "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992), albeit taking place a hundred years later in the remote Northwest.

I have no idea why it fell into obscurity while other 50's Mann Westerns are heralded.

It's not overlong at 98 minutes; and was -- surprisingly -- shot at Popocatépetl Volcano, Puebla, Mexico (SE of Mexico City), which is an acceptable substitute for the Oregon/Wyoming/Montana region where the events take place.