enjoyed film offers variety interesting subplots complex lovehate relations along interspersed action scenes lighthearted moments mountain men counter harsh army discipline main characters well cast true john wayne robert mitchum could probably done starring role well victor mature certainly comes across headstrong brawling tarzan sorts reminds film role samson another difficult impossible man tamebr br the mountain men opening scene certainly anachronism era pure trapper mountain men pretty much ended  years before collapse western beaver populations well fashion market beaver pelts story supposedly takes place oregon end civil war judging volcano background opening sceneprobably mt lassen fictional fort located somewhere remote section cascades never see civilians however plenty conflicting evidence actually takes place mountains wyoming montana red cloud war chief threatens trappers soldiers fort namesake famous sioux war chief led successful campaign  exterminate newly built army forts wyoming montana fort laramieeastern wyomingis mentioned far removed fictional fort plains tribe assiniboines mentioning joining red cloud aspect story then bears general resemblance historical factbr br it may interest note certain resemblances plot story john fords fort apache cases fort commander recently assigned first frontier post native american problems underestimates military prowess adversaries regarding little cannon fodder promote career films pays dearly inexperience dealing enemy also common greenhorn commander resents subordinate long experience local native americans wants tell wise do films budding romantic relaionship woman close commanders heart subordinate commander everything squelch clearly commander must eliminated allow romances proceed completionbr br i also see certain resemblances the misfits soldiers whole including commander misfits sortas one admits mostly problems raw recruits experience fighting native americans commanders wife apparently woman anywhere near fort thus inherently misfit husband uncertain future army trappers turn also misfits really wanting accept army civilian discipline yet cut previous free spirit lives recent armygenerated antagonism red cloud br br finally also compare story anthony manns later film the far country starring jimmy stewart stewarts case choose return loner cowboy end matures character come appetizing new way boss red cloud made life outside army region dangerous contemplate besides obsession commanders wife