Jeff Chandler’s success as Cochise in Broken Arrow inspired for a time a bunch of American stars to play Indians, both real and fictitious. Among those who put on war paint were Burt Lancaster (Apache), Chuck Connors (Geronimo), Rock Hudson (Taza, Son of Cochise), and Elvis Presley (Flaming Star). This was Victor Mature’s go – he was Italian, and a bit dark, so Universal presumably figured why not? He plays the famous Indian general who knocked off Custer at Little Big Horn.
It’s an extremely sympathetic account – Crazy Horse is pushed into fighting by white men breaking treaties, he proves to be a brilliant leader, a real hard arse. Ray Danton, in his film debut (and extremely good), is Little Big Man, an Indian jealous of Crazy Horse – and responsible for his death (something I thought was made up to reduce white man guilt but actually had basis in fact). There are only two really nice white characters – John Lund, as a sympathetic white trader (who gets shot and recuperates not once but twice with Crazy Horse, which is repetitive) and General Crook.
Surprisingly it’s the action side of things where this film is weaker – it’s as if the filmmakers were more interested in humanising Indians, and getting historical details right. The Battle of Little Big Horn doesn’t take very long on screen – I presume this was due to budget and/or the filmmakers not wanting to dwell on Indian victory too much on screen (we don’t even see Custer). We do however see the Fetterman Massacre and the Battle of the Rosebud.
I couldn’t help laugh at some of this - Indian squaws wearing make up, some of Mature's expressions as he sits on a horse, etc. But the filmmakers have really tried to make a good movie and get the facts right as much as they can. The writers have an advantage in that so much about Crazy Horse is unknown and/or myth, but it's there - his family lineage, visions, death of his son, bravery, battles, etc. The one melodramatic note is the officer who goes beserk on hearing his son (David Janssen!) has been killed and shoots some villainous Indian traders, then himself. It was directed by George Marshall, whom I'm coming to increasingly admire - he doesn't have a massive reputation but he turned out a lot of above- average films.
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