IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
In 1877 Wyoming, during the peace negotiations between the Cheyenne and the USA, an Indian girl falls in love with a land surveyor, causing the ire of her Cheyenne fiance.In 1877 Wyoming, during the peace negotiations between the Cheyenne and the USA, an Indian girl falls in love with a land surveyor, causing the ire of her Cheyenne fiance.In 1877 Wyoming, during the peace negotiations between the Cheyenne and the USA, an Indian girl falls in love with a land surveyor, causing the ire of her Cheyenne fiance.
Noah Beery Jr.
- Lt. Ferguson
- (as Noah Beery)
Iron Eyes Cody
- Indian Chief
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFirst American movie filmed (in 1954) in Durango, Mexico, because art director Jack Martin Smith liked the soundstages in the city and found the surrounding landscapes to be just what he was looking for.
- GoofsThe Army, at no time during the Indian Wars, used Winchester repeating lever action rifles, as shown.
- Quotes
Josh Tanner: Eveything you will see in this movie actually happened, with the exception being the Indians' language. For the purposes of this story, they will speak English so that you can understand them.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Chappaqua (1966)
Featured review
Some Spectacular Scenes
The production company sure got its money's worth by filming in Durango, Mexico. Those scenes of mass Indian migration, along with the massed warriors and cavalry troop of the climax are impressive as heck. I expect a lot of Mexican folks picked up a payday as a result. In fact, where this western really succeeds is in providing spectacle. The fort scenes plus the Indian encampments are both big and convincing.
The storyline may not be exactly fresh—some Indians wanting to make peace while others don't, plus the standard romantic interest—nonetheless, the individual stories are woven well into the larger conflict. Note too, how the screenplay (based on a true story) takes a generally sympathetic view of the Indians' plight— that is, being forced to move by treaty from their traditional lands. This was during a period when Hollywood was beginning to recognize Indians as human beings instead of convenient targets for repeating rifles.
Of course, an A-production requires a guaranteed box-office, and who better to bring in young folks than a leading heartthrob of the day, Robert Wagner. His rail thin frame may not look like John Wayne, but he still manages to convey the needed authority despite his pretty boy appearance. Also, Hunter remains physically impressive as the conflicted Little Dog.
I guess my only gripe is that everyone, Indians included, looks like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. I mean the costumes are so squeaky clean and perfectly fit that you'd never guess this is supposed to be the dusty frontier. Anyway, this TCF release remains an underrated cowboy-Indian flick, especially for all its impressive crowd scenes.
(In passing—good touch allowing ambient noises such as barking dogs, squawking birds, and crying kids, to color the treaty signing scene. Usually, Hollywood would remove these as distractions, but here they lend a noisy realistic touch.)
The storyline may not be exactly fresh—some Indians wanting to make peace while others don't, plus the standard romantic interest—nonetheless, the individual stories are woven well into the larger conflict. Note too, how the screenplay (based on a true story) takes a generally sympathetic view of the Indians' plight— that is, being forced to move by treaty from their traditional lands. This was during a period when Hollywood was beginning to recognize Indians as human beings instead of convenient targets for repeating rifles.
Of course, an A-production requires a guaranteed box-office, and who better to bring in young folks than a leading heartthrob of the day, Robert Wagner. His rail thin frame may not look like John Wayne, but he still manages to convey the needed authority despite his pretty boy appearance. Also, Hunter remains physically impressive as the conflicted Little Dog.
I guess my only gripe is that everyone, Indians included, looks like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. I mean the costumes are so squeaky clean and perfectly fit that you'd never guess this is supposed to be the dusty frontier. Anyway, this TCF release remains an underrated cowboy-Indian flick, especially for all its impressive crowd scenes.
(In passing—good touch allowing ambient noises such as barking dogs, squawking birds, and crying kids, to color the treaty signing scene. Usually, Hollywood would remove these as distractions, but here they lend a noisy realistic touch.)
helpful•72
- dougdoepke
- Sep 28, 2011
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Challenge
- Filming locations
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site - 965 Gray Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, Wyoming, USA(actual Fort at center of events and activities portrayed)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,125,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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