Christopher Smith

6Feb10

A strong cast often has to work their way through long sequences of talky melodrama (as well as being incredibly historically inaccurate and dated in terms of cultural sensitivity). But it's a lavish production, an impressive visual spectacle with a number of rousing action scenes that keep the story moving. Not any kind of masterpiece, but one of the better-crafted of its kind. Great score by Dimitri Tiomkin.