How close were the Terrill hands to open rebellion against their boss? Would they up and quit en masse in another week? Even Steve Leech, in spite of his hero worship for Major Terrill was increasingly reluctant to continue following him. They almost refused to follow him through Blanco Canyon.
Blanco Canyon was a stronghold of the Hanneseys, who, from above, would have the drop on any enemies attempting to pass through the canyon. Terrill was verging on the point of madness to require of his cattle hands what amounted to suicide. Only Leech's loyalty, now won over from momentary wavering, could inspire the others (who obviously had more regard for him than they did Terrill) to follow the Major through the treacherous path.
It wasn't the rational or safe thing to do, of course; but when have mobs being led by tin pot, rabble rousing leaders like the Major ever been "rational?" Numerous real world examples of such abound that go all the way back to the dawn of human history.
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The major is the true villain of this movie. Without him Hannesey would have been a better person with a bad son
shareI agree Henry Terrill was the villain in the movie. There is a subtitle shot where he goes out to meet Hennessy and you see devil horns on a rock. I do not think he was as bad as Buck (Chuck Connors). Why? At least Terrill was not a coward. I also suspect that his daughter will be far worse then he ever was. Why? She was very manipulative and used sex as a weapon. Watch the final scene with her and Jim ( Gregory Peck). She learned that he is not someone that she can keep under her thumb. Rspecially in regards to giving the Hennessey's water. One other point watch how she uses her father and Steve (Charlton Heston), and gets whatever she wants. Needless to say, Jim would up with the far better woman in Julie ( Jean Simmons), who was the only person who really knew what he was about.
shareI think Major Terrill's superiority to Buck Hannassey extends beyond not being a coward. I don't think the Major would ever rape a woman as Buck was prepared to do to Julie, or shoot an unarmed man as Buck was prepared to do to McKay. Also, Major Terrill obviously bathed every day and spoke grammatically correct English.
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