Today’s quick review: Duel at Diablo. Jess Remsberg (James Garner), a scout looking for the man who murdered his Comanche wife, and Toller (Sidney Poitier), a soldier turned horse trader, join a Cavalry expedition to Fort Concho. Along the way, they are attacked by a band of Apache warriors led by Chata (John Hoyt). Meanwhile, Ellen Grange (Bibi Andersson) deals with the fallout of having been kidnapped by the Apaches years ago.
Duel at Diablo is a Western war drama about a violent encounter between a group of U.S. Cavalry recruits and a band of Apache raiders. It weaves together the personal stories of Remsberg, Toller, and Grange, touching on themes of ostracism, revenge, and the cycle of violence between American soldiers and displaced Apaches. Duel at Diablo opts for a darker tone than most Westerns, allowing it to explore deeper themes and tell a unique story.
Duel at Diablo does not pull its punches. The portrait it paints of the Old West is brutal, with dangers at every turn and very few trustworthy people to be found. Remsberg, Toller, and Grange do what they can to simply live, but the violent circumstances around them force them to take drastic actions to survive. Duel at Diablo is not as viscerally dark as some modern movies, but the glimmers of hope are few and far between.
Where Duel at Diablo falls short is tying its plot threads together into a cohesive whole. The movie gets most of the way there, finding natural ways to place its three main characters in the same place at the same time. But the resolution to their arcs is not as elegant. Each plot thread works individually, but there are few chances for the main characters to actually connect with one another or form a larger bond.
The result is a Western whose storytelling is solid but not masterful. Duel at Diablo is a fine pick for those in the mood for something serious. Its conflicts are interesting and explore aspects of the Western genre that are commonly glossed over. But its heavy tone will not suit everyone, and it remains outclassed by films that do a better job of using their characters together.
For a modern Western that balances a serious tone with richer character development, try 3:10 to Yuma. For a historical war drama that depicts a similar conflict between an outnumbered band of soldiers and local warriors, try Zulu.
[6.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060355/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for interesting themes and tangible danger.