The Command (1954): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
The Command is a 1954 western directed by David Butler, starring Ray Teal as Dr. Trent, Carl Benton Reid and Denver Pyle. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- David Butler
- Genre
- Western
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Command About?
The premise of The Command without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Touted as a story of unprecedented scale, this Warner Bros. debut in CinemaScope follows a cavalry patrol whose commanding officer is slain, leaving the unit under the reluctant leadership of an army doctor. As he assumes command, the doctor must navigate the harsh frontier, military duty, and the doubts of seasoned soldiers.
The Command Themes & Keywords
· 27 tags- 3 dimensional
- 3d
- wilhelm scream
- wagon on fire
- american indian territory
- classical western
- american indian
- native american
- captain the military rank
- sergeant the military rank
- colonel the military rank
- private the military rank
+15 more Show fewer
- doctor
- lieutenant the military rank
- major the military rank
- trooper
- wagon train
- army doctor
- final showdown
- hand to hand combat
- death of commanding officer
- chain of command
- smoke signal
- covered wagon
- u.s. cavalry
- killed with an arrow
- shot with an arrow
Where to Watch The Command
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
The Command Cast & Characters
Ray Teal leads the cast as Dr. Trent, with Carl Benton Reid as Col. Janeway and Denver Pyle as Infantryman (uncredited). Directed by David Butler; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director David Butler
- Ray Teal as Dr. Trent
- Carl Benton Reid as Col. Janeway
- Denver Pyle as Infantryman (uncredited)
- James Whitmore as Sgt. Elliott
Also Starring in The Command
· 5 more- Guy Madison Capt. Robert MacClaw
- Robert Nichols 2nd Lt. O'Hirons
- Harvey Lembeck Pvt. Gottschalk
- Don Shelton Maj. Gibbs
- Joan Weldon Martha Cutting
The Command Plot Summary
What happens in The Command from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a dusty frontier route, the cavalry patrol’s commanding officer is wounded and dying. With his last breath, he entrusts leadership to the patrol’s surviving ranking officer, a capable army doctor: Dr. Trent. The newly placed commander guides the unit back toward their fort, steady and measured, determined to see the mission through.
As the patrol makes its cautious return, they pass a town where two infantry companies, under Col. Janeway, are taking a brief breather from escort duty for a wagon train of settlers. The sight of another column in motion prompts a strategic move: the colonel orders the cavalry troop to attach to his command, with the explicit duty of screening the main infantry body and the wagon train from danger ahead.
Full summary
The whole story of The Command, scene by scene
The Command Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Command.
The Command Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Rear Guard” and “La poursuite dura 7 jours”.
- Also known as
-
- Rear Guard
- La poursuite dura 7 jours
- Die siebente Nacht
- L'invasore bianco
- Retaguardia
- La poursuite dura sept jours
- Sob o Comando da Morte
- 骑兵肉搏战
- Капитан
Seen The Command?
Movies Like The Command
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Last Frontier, Comanche and Command Decision.
The Command FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of The Command, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Command?
The Command runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was The Command released?
The Command was released on January 15, 1954.
Who directed The Command?
The Command was directed by David Butler.
More films by David Butler Who is in the cast of The Command?
The Command stars Ray Teal as Dr. Trent, Carl Benton Reid as Col. Janeway and Denver Pyle as Infantryman (uncredited), among 9 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Command?
In the US, The Command is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
Does The Command have a post-credit scene?
No. The Command has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
