There are certain western series that I liked ( Maverick especially), but only one that I loved: The High Chaparral. What made it work was the setting ( actually filmed in Old Tucson, Arizona), and the producers actually took the effort to cast Hispanic actors ( Linda Cristal as Victoria ( always a knockout) and Henry Darrow as her brother Manolito as Mexicans. The dominant characters were Victoria, Manolito and Buck Cannon ( Cameron Mitchell). What made Manolito a great character was not only was he comedy relief ( especially in the light episodes), but he was fiercely protective of his sister and really fit in well at the Cannon ranch ( much better then he did with his father, because he was expected to take over for his father in running a ranch, and did not want to)). Victoria was the exact opposite of her brother. She married American rancher John Cannon, ( Leif Erickson) because her father told her to do do ( right after his wife was killed). Victoria, who was very aristocratic also fit in very well at the ranch, because she had no problem getting her hands dirty, nursing wounded men back to health, cooking and yes standing on the front lines during a battle. Eventually what was a forced political marriage became a loving one. Then there was Buck. He was the one who made the ranch work ( usually with Assistance with Manolito). They got on very well because they were both rebels. In fact, during the Civil Wsr Buck was in the Confederacy while John was in the Union Army. These three characters made this my all time favorite Western Series.
Review of The High Chaparral
