Based on a true story of how some Native Americans became successful cattle ranchers in 19th century Oklahoma in spite of hatred and violence directed towards them. Entertaining and interesting.
21 Reviews
Not your typical western.
mertman-431614 November 2021
"He that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him."
classicsoncall6 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I thought I would see something a little grittier than the way this story played out. There were some violent scenes, to be sure, but over all it felt like a Western made by the Hallmark Channel folks. Things moved along a little too quickly as well, as years went by in a flash, marked by the rapid growth of Montford Johnson's (Martin Sensmeier) son Edward Bryant (portrayed by various actors as he grew up), while all the other characters didn't seem to age over the span of a couple decades. My favorite scene involved Montford's decision to finally stop putting up with buffalo hunter Holden's (Tommy Flanagan) threatening presence, and run his fifteen hundred head of cattle right through the villain's camp. No doubt this is a story of one man's courage and persistence in the face of overwhelming odds in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma during the years following the Civil War, but the film only conveys a limited aspect of the grit that it took for Johnson to persevere. The limited budget and no-name cast no doubt contributed to that feeling.
Was.........OK. Marginally acceptable.
masonsteven5 December 2022
It's watchable. There's just enough good to slightly outweigh the bad. It's a passable ride
It's a bit melodramatic, the acting is inconsistent, the direction is not very good, the dialogue is anachronistc, but the story (true) is good, the cinematography is good, and it's an ok way to kill some time. I'm retired. I do that.
The ending is unsatisfying. If you're going to present a character in such a way that you're meant to HATE them, want them to suffer a slow death, etc., then show his comeuppance. There are a couple characters that need killin, but it's only insinuated that they get theirs.
It's not a multiple watch deal. I've seen Shawshank 7 million times. This isn't Ike that.
It's a bit melodramatic, the acting is inconsistent, the direction is not very good, the dialogue is anachronistc, but the story (true) is good, the cinematography is good, and it's an ok way to kill some time. I'm retired. I do that.
The ending is unsatisfying. If you're going to present a character in such a way that you're meant to HATE them, want them to suffer a slow death, etc., then show his comeuppance. There are a couple characters that need killin, but it's only insinuated that they get theirs.
It's not a multiple watch deal. I've seen Shawshank 7 million times. This isn't Ike that.
A low budget film that delivers!
info-907014 November 2021
I read the history page for Montford T. Johnson, so that is all I know of the real character. However, the film was educational and enjoyable on a few levels, including as a history lesson and a better depiction of how black and red people interacted during those times, which is rarely seen accurately. Jim Crow changed a lot of relationships, but that was much later after reconstruction. The relationships between black, white and red people were often intertwined, and this film showed that well.
Because it was low budget, and possibly because they owed the actors the right to participate, some of the casting was really off and amateurish, like the hateful soldier, but I could look past that to understand the man better. The script could use a rewrite, but again, low budget.
One thing that was not shown, and that as in the history page for OK, was that Montford was sickly most of his life, which makes his accomplishments even more amazing! I'm grateful this was made so we can have a better view of our country and how it actually operated.
Because it was low budget, and possibly because they owed the actors the right to participate, some of the casting was really off and amateurish, like the hateful soldier, but I could look past that to understand the man better. The script could use a rewrite, but again, low budget.
One thing that was not shown, and that as in the history page for OK, was that Montford was sickly most of his life, which makes his accomplishments even more amazing! I'm grateful this was made so we can have a better view of our country and how it actually operated.
Great Story
hardyghaffar8 November 2021
Story was excellent. This was not a Marvel Universe level budget so with that in mind it was about the story and the acting. I enjoyed the story very much and appreciated the work of all the actors. Very much a feel-good story that accurately depicts some of the obstacles Native Americans dealt with during those times.
A refreshing view
courtney_cmw12 November 2021
I think this an accurate portrayal of a historical figure. It is nice to watch an unabridged story. The pain Montford and his family endured was hard to watch at times. I saw many Native American people that I recognized from around the area in the movie.
Nothing Like the Book
joeyfitzgerald-265244 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a good story, but nothing like the inspiring story of the real Montford Johnson. It seems that the Chickasaws and Gov. Anoatubby wanted to push an agenda that did not happen. Yes the Chickasaws were removed from the SE US. Montford Johnson in real life had a entrepreneurial spirit and was able to utilize the almost endless acres of Chickasaw territory to build a huge cattle ranch and to help other Chickasaws build their herds also. He developed the area of Byars, Newcastle, Tuttle, Minco, and Verden. His was a success story and the antagonistic relationship with the Army was not revealed in the book. If anything important was left out it was the antagonistic relationships the 5 civilized tribes had with the Plains Indians. Montford Johnson was the first to develop a good working relationship with the Comanche and Kiowa. Montford did travel to Florida to see the living conditions of the Indians and bought food and meat for them at his cost. They did leave out that at the Dawes Commission he got their voucher to claim 160 acres of land joining his so he could enlarge his ranches. He then paid them for the land after they were released. The late 19th century was a complicated time for all and Native American and White men alike were both guilty of exploitation. It would have been better if they had portrayed it accurately. Nothing in the book damages Montford Johnson's legacy. It seems that the Chickasaws did not want an inspiring story of a Chickasaw that prospered against the narrative of the day.
A True "True" Underdog Story
lighterthanair-825698 February 2022
Good drama/action/historical movie. I was impressed by the dedication, perseverance, and patience of Montford, and how it pays off in the long run. As opposed to Dodgeball (the underdog reference), this is actually based on a true story, which I didn't know beforehand but confirmed with some google-ing.
Watchable but could have been better
mroberts-2821516 February 2022
In the first half, this bad screenplay (instantly discernable by its overuse of narration) would have made a fair Radio play had it been written 80 years ago. Unable to convey information and emotion through dialog and imagery, they reduced an inspiring story to a poorly executed TV drama.
You can create great films with low budgets, poor writing, bad direction or editing but seldom do you find a video play lacking in all of these.
The last half is like a different production. The awful narration ends, the actors find their rhythm, as the pace picks up, and the story is allowed to blossom, capturing one's imagination.
So, maybe it was just a lack of time and money after all.
You can create great films with low budgets, poor writing, bad direction or editing but seldom do you find a video play lacking in all of these.
The last half is like a different production. The awful narration ends, the actors find their rhythm, as the pace picks up, and the story is allowed to blossom, capturing one's imagination.
So, maybe it was just a lack of time and money after all.
Very good, loved it.
spottedhideranch16 November 2021
Worth the appraisal for being so honest
mjcrow20 November 2021
Excellent story!
BudoSenpai16 November 2021
"Raised by my mother's people, my sister and I struggled to survive in two worlds. That of the Chickasaw who understood the richness and beauty of this new land, and that of the white man, whose greed brought nothing but death and destruction" How accurate, I give it a 10/10 just for this quote alone!
When European settlers arrived in the Americas there were close to 11 million Native Americans living here. By 1900, almost every tribe was wiped out. Their population was reduced to under 300,000. Native Americans were subjected to many different forms of violence, all with the intention of destroying them and stealing their land! This violence was based on white supremacy. I'm glad they finally were able to kill that arrogant pos Custer who was responsible for killing many women, children and elderly Natives. He got what he deserved!
When European settlers arrived in the Americas there were close to 11 million Native Americans living here. By 1900, almost every tribe was wiped out. Their population was reduced to under 300,000. Native Americans were subjected to many different forms of violence, all with the intention of destroying them and stealing their land! This violence was based on white supremacy. I'm glad they finally were able to kill that arrogant pos Custer who was responsible for killing many women, children and elderly Natives. He got what he deserved!
Uneven and Overplayed
crimeagainstcreation21 February 2023
The basic story about Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher is an exciting tale from the time when the West still was so called wild and there was a frontier to conquer. Typically and necessarily there are rustlers and indians involved, but this is based on true historical events about Montford Johnson, an influential half indigenous pioneer, his family, neighbours, friends and their struggles. The setting should be right for a thrilling and epic drama, but due to several factors the creators fail to realise its intensions. First of all it's hard to fully believe in the characters, like with Martin Senmeiser in the main role. Compared to the real Montford he's just too Hollywood handsome, and together with several of the cast, he neither looks like a poor starving and extremely hard working rancher in the 1870's. Many simply appear as modern people dressed up in oldstyle gear. Moreover, even though the villains got better and more dirty makeup, their wickedness is clearly exagerrated and there's an obvious overacting. Generally the performances aren't very impressive. However, there is an important sidestory, and letting the conflict between the indigenous peoples, settlers and the US Army have a more indirect role, where historical events and characters merely pass by as news, or certain people are coincidentally included as the storyline moves on. This may have a good intention, but even a crucial setting fundamental for the final is barely given any focus. Also, like with some peculiar timeholes in the basic plot, basic connections are't worked through well enough, and we never get to know the characters. Maybe this would be better off as a mini series, or at least a film longer than 95 minutes. A more creative building of characters, where the historical context got a more direct and intensional interplay, together with a more thorough screenplay and editing plan, this could have been a good historical western.
Interesting and engaging.
brenn-7765011 January 2022
The story is very interesting. Pretty incredible what he was able to accomplish in his life. Scenery was great and the outfits. Some of the scenes didn't go off quite as well as I think they wanted it to, felt kinda cheesey. Overall, pretty good.
Not Accurate History
reymunpadilla2 June 2023
A "true story" where the Natives just love love the Confederates and the Union is the bad guy? And we are supposed to believe the Confederate soldiers are all prejudice free and hanging out with free Blacks also?
Obviously written by someone based on revisionist neo Confederate nonsense. The screenwriter doesn't have a single other writing credit. Some of the other reviews point to the poor writing also.
In real life most of the Natives who "took" the Confederate side were drafted. The Native leaders were often slaveowners, but the other 90% weren't. And Native soldiers deserted the Confederates en masse and joined the Union Army given the first chance at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
The later parts of the film are more accurate and better written, more confident in their story.
Obviously written by someone based on revisionist neo Confederate nonsense. The screenwriter doesn't have a single other writing credit. Some of the other reviews point to the poor writing also.
In real life most of the Natives who "took" the Confederate side were drafted. The Native leaders were often slaveowners, but the other 90% weren't. And Native soldiers deserted the Confederates en masse and joined the Union Army given the first chance at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
The later parts of the film are more accurate and better written, more confident in their story.
Incredible
tobey-031944 January 2022
Best This Year!
dantharpe7 September 2022
Finally!!!! A movie comes out of Hollywood (?) with some quality and historical entertainment. After years of filth and perverted mess, it's good to finally see a movie worth your hard earned money.
This is a magnificent true story portrayed by some excellent actors and filmed with a beautiful story line.
What makes it really good, is the entire family can enjoy it and learn about some history involving the struggles during the late 1800's.
For the producers and directors, you should be commended for making a movie with integrity and view-ability for the entire family... something Hollywood should take note of and start offering some films that are wholesome.
We will watch this movie again!
This is a magnificent true story portrayed by some excellent actors and filmed with a beautiful story line.
What makes it really good, is the entire family can enjoy it and learn about some history involving the struggles during the late 1800's.
For the producers and directors, you should be commended for making a movie with integrity and view-ability for the entire family... something Hollywood should take note of and start offering some films that are wholesome.
We will watch this movie again!
Had to turn off
sewalker-1226528 November 2021
The writing was bad, the acting was ok, the dialogue was not old west, the music was off, and the costumes didn't fit. This was a western that seemed to lack understanding of what the old west was like. They used words from our language today like "Academy". And his wife was like a Karen in today's society. It just didn't seem to fit together and I finally got annoyed and turned it off.
Based on true story
tresvick31 December 2022
I wasn't aware that this movie was based on a true story. When my husband and I first started watching it, I was more that a little skeptical and doubted that I would keep watching it. However it didn't take long before the story and actors caught my attention. The story moved along slowly at first, but then it started flowing and there was more action. There were some surprises and a family who was 2nd cousins to the main characters arrived at their ranch. At first it seemed like they would be a diversion to the goal of the main characters or perhaps some comic relief, but this new family soon showed their worth in helping their new family fight the enemy and help to save their home. The fact that this actually happened made the movie much more touching and relevant. It is hard to imagine the things the first people who came to live a free life in America faced such problems and hardships. I would watch it againoiij.
It just isn't good!
jakebrann1 February 2022
The acting just isn't up to par. The writing no better. How many shots are fired and not a single person ever hit? I wound up fast forwarding through about 45 mins of the movie. Very slow and annoying. It isn't really worth the watch. I didn't enjoy this over dramatic, over acted mess of a movie. They tried to make so many lines deep and heart felt. It fell very flat. Yeah, just watched the last 10 mins and that was just as horrible. The music was off and didn't match the movie either.
Very bad acting
nihat_delen8 November 2021
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