The film that must surely have indicated to 20th Century Fox that Robert Wagner didn't have what it took as a movie star. Surely. He looks completely out of his depth as a cowboy who tries to negotiate peace with the Indians - it's based on a true story, and in case you start wondering "hey that sounds like Broken Arrow", well this too is based on a true story, has a white man marrying an Indian played by Debra Paget, was based on a script by Delmer Daves, and focuses on the friendship between a white man and an Indian (played here by Jeffrey Hunter).
It lacks the oomph of Broken Arrow. Wagner and Hunter are no James Stewart and Jeff Chandler - but in their defence their relationship isn't as well drawn. The romance between Wagner and Paget is sweet but doesn't have the kick of Arrow because neither of them die (which is nice in its own way it just doesn't have the kick).
The film weakens Wagner's character for some reason. It sets up both Jeffrey Hunter and Hugh O'Brien are anti Wagner because of the latter's romance with Paget. Both try to kill Wagner. But Wagner doesn't kill either - the Indian chief shoots O'Brien and the cavalry shoot Hunter.
There's this potentially really interesting subplot about Virginia Leith, the daughter of a storeowner - who hangs out with Wagner for a bit, and, it's hinted, was a rape victim. But she disappears from the story. Why? Why not have a love triangle? Or use the rape victim stuff? Or have her fall for an Indian? Or made her a baddy? Do something!
John Lund has a bigger role but it's pointless too. Why not make him a racist? A baddy? Or a do gooder or a comic relief or something? You could cut him out of the film.
It looks good I'll say that. It does personalise Indians and gives them characters to play, albeit by white actors. There are some lovely images of the cavalry and landscapes and what not - the influence of John Ford is clearly felt. The director was Robert Webb who doesn't get much critical love but I felt did a good job.
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