The Squaw Man (1914)

Writers:

Edwin Milton Royle (play)
Cecil B. DeMille (picturizer) ...

Release Date:

15 February 1914 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Western

Plot:

A chivalrous British officer takes the blame for his cousin's embezzlement and journeys to the American West to start a new life on a cattle ranch.

Plot Keywords:

Earl | Pacific Northwest | Constable | Transatlantic Trip | Medicine Man

Cast

Dustin Farnum

...

Captain James Wynnegate - aka Jim Carston

Also Known As:

The White Man (UK)

Runtime:

74 min (2004 alternate version)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company

Trivia:

The first film made by (and involving) Cecil B. DeMille.

Quotes:

Lady Diana: Jim, I want you to go away for my sake!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Nat-u-ritch - an Indian Idyll

Very Hard To Objectively Judge This Picture

Without its historical interest and place in Hollywood lore, the film itself doesn't stand up too well. But who does after 90 years? I guess the big test for me was that I did not fast forward through it. But it was difficult at first to distinguish who was who, and a viewer has to infer quite a bit from the "action."

What I found interesting (and commendable) was that Nat-U-Ruch's character -- while not exactly in the forefront -- is one of the more heroic in the story. The depiction of her father, the chief of the Utes is less commendable, and actually shameful. But that's the way it was. (It seems that a white actor played him, while an Indian woman played Nat-U-Rich, which might explain that in part.)

Must see fare for film buffs but not for someone looking for just some entertainment in front of the TV.