It has its issues. Sometimes that stoic sounding narrative was jarring, but simply a good enough execution of a supposed true tale.
The premise is quite familiar: boy meets girl (well, he met another first but that wasn't to be). He has friends he didn't expect to have. They were young and foolish and he tried to help the best he could in a tricky situation.
The result was one of a slight twist I never expected and I think it was done with great empathy and passion. Unlike anything I'd seen before in a Western of this type. It had a wonderful cinematic shot of the two factions side by side, opposite each other on a dry creek bed. The tension was evident without a big play on it. Being a leader is a hard job and the trust the Chief had on his people was so evocative in his expression. Well done! Well done indeed.
It had so much to give but I suppose lacked a good lead. Despite that, Wagner did his best in a style not suitable for his type of persona.
I liked the approach and I actually felt quite moved (nearly to tears!) at the end of the movie for two reasons: the displacement of the Cheyenne and other tribal groups and the heartfelt "ceremonial" tribute paid by Robert Wagner for his fallen friend was wonderfully done. Just the simple gesture of wiping dirt off his arm was just so... *sob*
I never did expect a great movie. Though what I got surpassed anything I thought. Give it a try. It's worth it even for the ones who don't like Westerns (like me).
It isn't "Shane" but on a good footing as that classic.
The premise is quite familiar: boy meets girl (well, he met another first but that wasn't to be). He has friends he didn't expect to have. They were young and foolish and he tried to help the best he could in a tricky situation.
The result was one of a slight twist I never expected and I think it was done with great empathy and passion. Unlike anything I'd seen before in a Western of this type. It had a wonderful cinematic shot of the two factions side by side, opposite each other on a dry creek bed. The tension was evident without a big play on it. Being a leader is a hard job and the trust the Chief had on his people was so evocative in his expression. Well done! Well done indeed.
It had so much to give but I suppose lacked a good lead. Despite that, Wagner did his best in a style not suitable for his type of persona.
I liked the approach and I actually felt quite moved (nearly to tears!) at the end of the movie for two reasons: the displacement of the Cheyenne and other tribal groups and the heartfelt "ceremonial" tribute paid by Robert Wagner for his fallen friend was wonderfully done. Just the simple gesture of wiping dirt off his arm was just so... *sob*
I never did expect a great movie. Though what I got surpassed anything I thought. Give it a try. It's worth it even for the ones who don't like Westerns (like me).
It isn't "Shane" but on a good footing as that classic.