It might be difficult to accept the notion of white men behaving as brutally as the Apache do. The film follows Ulzana, an Apache warrior who goes on a violent rampage, as he’s pursued by a group of cavalry soldiers. Under the command of the young and inexperienced Lieutenant Garnett DeBuin, these soldiers must depend on the assistance of seasoned scout McIntosh and his Indian companion, Ke-Ni-Tay, if they are to survive and prevail against Ulzana. Directed skillfully by Robert Aldrich ("The Dirty Dozen" & "The Longest Yard"), *Ulzana's Raid* comes very close to being a truly uncompromising work of art. There’s no attempt here to avoid potentially uncomfortable viewpoints; instead, the film portrays the harsh animosity that defined the Indian Wars, with torture and violence commonplace. Comparisons to Vietnam are hard to ignore as the soldiers struggle in the wilderness against Ulzana's raiding party, the vast mountainous landscape serving as another weapon for the well-equipped Apache. What elevates *Ulzana’s Raid* above many other films of its time is the sharp, insightful dialogue. A complex script by Alan Sharp creates characters who are all interesting and worthy of further exploration. The Apache are depicted as savage, and Aldrich doesn't shy away from showing this, but they are also treated with respect and understanding. It easily could have devolved into a one-sided display of bloodshed typical of Western stories, but it does not. The motivations and attitudes of the white men are available for examination, with great attention to detail evident in the numerous conversations that lead to rich and rewarding experiences for the viewer. From the beginning, it’s clear that McIntosh & DeBuin have very different perspectives on Ulzana's actions, but as the film progresses, many questions arise—regarding Christian values, racial prejudice, or simply imperialistic ambition—and all those involved are moving toward a final confrontation. Burt Lancaster is ideal as McIntosh, weathered and built for such demanding terrain. Bruce Davison portrays DeBuin, blending youthful charm with unwelcome bravado, while Jorge Luke steals the show as Ke-Ni-Tay. His performance has considerable depth and holds the film together beautifully. Unfortunately, this film has been subject to a great deal of meddling over the years—both from the studio and Lancaster himself—to the point where it’s believed there are around six different versions circulating in home entertainment formats. Fortunately, we can now obtain a version that is nearly complete, but still, no definitive full cut exists. German and Australian releases claim to be uncut, but this isn't entirely accurate because about three minutes remain missing from the original release—including a rather important sequence involving Sergeant and Trooper Miller (noticeable at 49 minutes by an abrupt transition from night to day). Nevertheless, even with those three minutes removed, *Ulzana’s Raid* remains a grim and brilliant piece of work. It presents savagery on both sides, and Aldrich and his team refuse to compromise or follow predictable patterns. 9/10

Source on TMDB