Actually a pretty good movie describing the invasion of Mexico by the French, it was initially an international force of the Brits, Spaniards, and French. The Europeans were demanding repayment of money that they had loaned the Benito Juarez government. The Spanish landed some troops, but backed out on invading with the French. The French goal was really to seize Mexico, and perhaps ultimately link up with the Confederacy to assist them and thus destabilize the United States. The Mexican forces were divided, as part of the Mexican army was against Juarez and were thus backing the French. Pretty good acting and effects, it's a decent movie about history I am only vaguely aware of. Some of the guns looked like mock-ups, most of them would have been Brown Bess muskets. One odd thing in common with older US movies about the muzzle leading era is that I can't recall seeing anyone flailing around with ramrods reloading those smoke poles. They fire once and go immediately to the bayonet. The hero of the battle of Puebla where the French were defeated was Porfiro Diaz who later declared himself "president" and was in effect dictator of Mexico until 1911.