Natives of the continent now known as North America had to get guns somewhere, and it took the white man to see that they got them. Trading with the "Indians" didn't bring cash, but other products or sources of food that the white man wanted. Other white men came in, stealing land and other goods, and as civilized society moved west, it was accompanied by a lust for blood. In this western, the conflict between the Apaches and European immigrants turned more violent. James Garner, finding out that his Comanche wife has been scalped, helps out the Swedish Bibi Anderson who became the mistress of an Apache warrior after being separated by arrogant husband Dennis Weaver. With the war between the Apaches and army growing, the transfer of weapons to other troops becomes a struggle it itself with the Indians on their trail, and the battle for survival begins.
Enjoyable as a film but disturbing as reflection of our history, this leaves me with mixed emotions. The presence of Sidney Poitier as a well dressed black man involved in the transfer of weapons is simply star status added to the film because his character has no real impact on the plot line other than to seem to keep pulling Garner out of scrapes. British Bill Travets ("Born Free") is an odd casting choice as the leader of this mission.
Beautifully filmed on Utah locations, thus must have been stunning on the big screen. The canyons are majestic and the country side truly cinematic. A tense moment occurs as arrow attacks by an unseen enemy begins to blur the soldier's vision because of the hot, bright sun. If this is one of the films that made Brando take notice of the mistreatment of native Americans in films and protest by turning down an Oscar, I would not be too surprised. It never explains why the Apaches were so bloody, only treating them continuously like savages.
Enjoyable as a film but disturbing as reflection of our history, this leaves me with mixed emotions. The presence of Sidney Poitier as a well dressed black man involved in the transfer of weapons is simply star status added to the film because his character has no real impact on the plot line other than to seem to keep pulling Garner out of scrapes. British Bill Travets ("Born Free") is an odd casting choice as the leader of this mission.
Beautifully filmed on Utah locations, thus must have been stunning on the big screen. The canyons are majestic and the country side truly cinematic. A tense moment occurs as arrow attacks by an unseen enemy begins to blur the soldier's vision because of the hot, bright sun. If this is one of the films that made Brando take notice of the mistreatment of native Americans in films and protest by turning down an Oscar, I would not be too surprised. It never explains why the Apaches were so bloody, only treating them continuously like savages.