MovieChat Forums > Major Dundee (1965) Discussion > Favorite Characters?

Favorite Characters?

posted 19 years ago by Hancock_the_Superb
3 replies | jump to latest

I've posted this before, but my original post was deleted, so why in the hell shouldn't I repost this? Who is/are your favorite character(s) from this film?

I've managed to narrow it down to two:

1) Sergeant Gomez (Mario Adorf) - There's a priceless moment which defines Sergeant Gomez and his role in the film, which I missed the first few times I saw this film. During the scene in Tyreen's jail cell, Dundee turns and asks Gomez whether or not he'll join the expedition. Gomez, after staring at Tyreen for a long moment, finally agrees. Gomez is really the only guy Dundee can truly trust (except maybe my other choice). All of his other Union troops are green and inept (Graham, Ryan), he's got a much larger Confederate force working for him that's made it very clear they plan to escape as soon as possible, some civilian malcontents he doesn't know at all, and an Indian scout whose loyalties are questionable. Dundee needs all the help he can get, and it's probable that were it not for Sergeant Gomez standing up for him, his command would just collapse. Add to that a great performance by Mario Adorf (despite the accent), and you can see why I like Gomez.

2) Samuel Potts (James Coburn) - James Coburn is, with the possible of Clint Eastwood, the coolest actor in the history of cinema (at least IMO). His character, with the one arm and the sawed-off silver plated shotgun, is just a kickass kinda guy, and Coburn has a lot of fun with the part. Plus he gets some great lines.

Anyone else?

"It is recognized that you have a funny sense of fun." - Claude Rains, "Lawrence of Arabia"

[–] bullit2513 19 years ago

Hey, Groggy, I was looking for that post of favorite characters but couldn't find it. Guess it disappeared.

Capt. Tyreen has always been my favorite character with Potts and Gomez close behind. I've always liked Lt. Graham too as he develops through the movie, like when Dundee returns to the command after his lost weekend in Durango. But back to Tyreen. I've always been a big Richard Harris fan, and I wish he would have done more westerns. I like the idea of a would-be cavalier or the Confederate renegade. And the last battle and Tyreen's sacrifice is one of the best deaths in a movie I've ever seen.

And Hancock as long as you're a Gomez fan, I have a question for you. Prior to the ambush with Sierra Chariba, Gomez tangles with an Apache warrior while on sentry duty. Does he fake being stabbed so the Indian will relax, thereby giving him a chance to kill him? Or is it something else that I'm missing? I've always wondered about it, but never thought to ask.

"Well, Major, it looks like you have found yourself a real war after all." Captain Ben Tyreen

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 19 years ago

The way I see it - and I could be wrong - he had seen Charriba and his other men, and he pretended to be stabbed so as not to alarm the other Apaches. If he'd have stabbed the other Indian and still been alive, the other Apaches would've picked him off instantly - or he would've had to have start shooting, ahead of schedule. That's the way I read into that scene, at least.

"It is recognized that you have a funny sense of fun." - Claude Rains, "Lawrence of Arabia"

[–] blackknight40 17 years ago

I have loved Major Dundee ever since I saw it when I was 8 years old.

Captain Ben Tyreen has always been a big favorite of mine and he really has the best lines. No matter what Dundee accomplishes or survives, he knows right up until the end that he is still going to have to fight for his life against "the Rebel Captain". I get such a charge of emotion during the final battle with the Lancers at just about everything that Tyreen says or does. His last ride is inspiring to say the least.

I am also a big fan of Sgt Chillum. Tough, dependable, loyal. I am glad that he makes it back to Texas.

As an artilleryman myself, I also can't pass up good old Lieutenant Graham. Seems like he has a lot of potential but he's just such a nerd that nobody gives him a chance until he goes out and proves himself. Hanging out with seasoned professional soldiers like Dundee, Tyreen, Gomez, and Chillum does him a world of good and I like to think that he winds up commanding his own regiment one day.

"Only thunderbolts can be preferred to cannon."