Die Todesschlucht von Laramie

Dakota Incident is a curiosity for several reasons. It will be obvious from the start that it was made long before anyone ever thought of political correctness. Although, the Ward Bond character softens the edge with "maybe we can communicate with them, after all they're humans, too" type of dialogue. His part stands side-by-side with the preacher attemtping to communicate with the Martians in War of the Worlds. In fact, it's uncanny. The title is curious too. Use of the word "Incident" contributes an importance and sophistication to the film that probably didn't hurt boxoffice. The contrived assortment of characters and Linda Darnell's fancy dress and hat are wonderful dated touches that make Dakota Incident a cool western artifact from the mid-fifties.

A cracking start to this 1956 western which unfortunately tends to slow up towards the end. I loved watching Dale Robertson as Jim Hardie in Well Fargo on TV with his quick draw left handed gun belt, when I was a kid. I notice one reviewer here says 'No Major Stars' which made me smile a bit, as I imagine the author is from a more recent generation of film and TV fans. Linda Darnell was certainly a major star in the 1940's in films like My Darling Clementine and both Dale Robertson and Ward Bond were major TV western stars in the 1950's/60's in Wells Fargo as mentioned and Wagon Train, in fact their stars grew after this film Dakota Incident was made in 1956. Sadly Linda Darnell died in a house fire in 1965 at the young age of 41. As I said earlier, the film opens with a terrific scene involving three outlaws who fall out which climaxes in a street gunfight, obviously with that famous left handed gun being the winner. All this in the first half hour, after which the story involves a coach being pulled into town with all the occupants dead due to an Indian attack. Several residents want a ride on the coach to Laramie and insist on going so our hero, Robertson takes on the task. There follows more Indian attacks and double crossing until just a handful of characters are left alive, and regrettably the picture ends with a rather predictable toned down ending which is rather disappointing for a film that started out so promising. If only the second half had lived up to the first I would have recommended it more highly.

A story like this would perhaps normally be told from the point of view of John Lund's bank teller, an honest man who is wanted for the robbery committed by fellow stagecoach passenger Dale Robertson. But it's mostly told from Robertson's perspective, a decision that helps prolong the audience's uncertainty about how things will end up. Despite making a few interesting choices like this Dakota Incident only occasionally manages to raise above its Poverty Row roots.

At least, from Republic pictures, we don't deal with a cabaret western, a music hall western, as were BELLE LE GRAND or JUBILEE TRAIL or one of those numerous semi - false - westerns that Republic pictures gave us in the forties and fifties. Westerns taking mostly place in burlesque atmosphere, with choregraphy, dancing, intrigue plots, more than Indians, outlaws, posse , sheriff. So, this one, directed by Lewis Foster, is taut, action packed, despite bland Dale Robertson's performance, as usual, about which poor Linda Darnell tries her best to do her best. It was hard for her to co star such a lousy actor; she deserved better. So, if you are a western buff, don't miss this one.

Republic's Waning Years Brings Us this Colorful, Film Filled with Lamenting.

A Good Cast Sparked by Linda Darnell's Fiery-Red Dress and Equally Flammable Female Hubris, Full of Spunk and Preen.

Dale Robertson is the Laconic Anti-Hero with Help from Ward Bond, John Lund, Regis Toomey, Whit Bissell, and Skip Homier.

A Stagecoach Full of Talky Characters with Ward Bond Playing Against Type as a Pacifist Senator and a Host of Others who Readily Jabber.

The "Tru-Color '' Template Allows for a Surreal Look at Things that is Always Interesting and Skewed.

The Action is Moderate and Pedestrian with the Thirsty Bunch Pin-Downed in a Gully Without Water, and that Supplies Most of the Suspense.

It's Darnell's Show All the Way with the Passengers Bouncing Off Her Charming Attractions.

The Indians are Painted as War-Mongers (except by the Senator) Until a Twist Ending.

Slightly Above Average.

Worth a Watch.