A mediocre "Civil Rights" Western that uses the historical setting to negatively portray racism. Added into the mix here is an animal rights message. It's quaint to see how politically incorrect liberals were in the mid-50's. Not only is a white woman used to play the squaw lead, but many live buffalo are killed on screen during the movie. Even though it is revealed during the initial credits that it was filmed during a federally mandated herd thinning, it would be very controversial to portray this images today.
This movie's probably a little overrated because it was written and directed by Richard Brooks, who made a bunch of movies that were much better than this (The Blackboard Jungle, Elmer Gantry, In Cold Blood among others).
Here's what was good about the movie:
Here's some of things that brought it down:
This movie's probably a little overrated because it was written and directed by Richard Brooks, who made a bunch of movies that were much better than this (The Blackboard Jungle, Elmer Gantry, In Cold Blood among others).
Here's what was good about the movie:
- This is a really nice performance by Robert Taylor as an unrepentant racist and killer driven mad by his sins.
- The main theme of the relationship between killing, hate and insanity is interesting and sophisticated.
- Nice scenes with buffalo, even if it is a little disturbing to see them shot down for real.
- Kind of "cool" ending.
Here's some of things that brought it down:
- Overall the plot and script were ragged. The movie does not flow well and has awkward transitions.
- I didn't buy Stuart Granger as a frontiersman. Looked like he was hanging out in a gay Manhattan piano bar to me.
- Much of the film takes place in very phony looking sound stage/campsites.
- The movie just beats you over the head with it racism and animal rights themes. There is no attempt to obfuscate or embed the themes in the plot or characterizations.
- A little too maudlin in its depiction of the Indians.