La ley del bravo

The production company sure got its money's worth by filming in Durango, Mexico. Those scenes of mass Indian migration, along with the massed warriors and cavalry troop of the climax are impressive as heck. I expect a lot of Mexican folks picked up a payday as a result. In fact, where this western really succeeds is in providing spectacle. The fort scenes plus the Indian encampments are both big and convincing.

The storyline may not be exactly fresh—some Indians wanting to make peace while others don't, plus the standard romantic interest—nonetheless, the individual stories are woven well into the larger conflict. Note too, how the screenplay (based on a true story) takes a generally sympathetic view of the Indians' plight— that is, being forced to move by treaty from their traditional lands. This was during a period when Hollywood was beginning to recognize Indians as human beings instead of convenient targets for repeating rifles.

Of course, an A-production requires a guaranteed box-office, and who better to bring in young folks than a leading heartthrob of the day, Robert Wagner. His rail thin frame may not look like John Wayne, but he still manages to convey the needed authority despite his pretty boy appearance. Also, Hunter remains physically impressive as the conflicted Little Dog.

I guess my only gripe is that everyone, Indians included, looks like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. I mean the costumes are so squeaky clean and perfectly fit that you'd never guess this is supposed to be the dusty frontier. Anyway, this TCF release remains an underrated cowboy-Indian flick, especially for all its impressive crowd scenes.

(In passing—good touch allowing ambient noises such as barking dogs, squawking birds, and crying kids, to color the treaty signing scene. Usually, Hollywood would remove these as distractions, but here they lend a noisy realistic touch.)

Good Western , considered one of the first Hollywood films to side with the Indians . 1887 Wyoming , this is the story of a complex peace carried out by the Natives : Sioux , Arapahoes , BlackFoot and the US government . But a tribe resists the complete pacification : The Cheyenne . As a twisted and troublesome relationship takes place between the American cavalry commanded by Col. Lindsay from Fort Laramie : John Lund and the Cheyenne Indians led by Broken Hand ; while crooks settlers and mean traders thwart peace . A civilian surveyor : Robert Wagner attempts to make up , as he sets out to find true peace among feuding White men and Indians . Later on , he befriends a Cheyenne chief , Broken Hand: Eduard Franz , and his son Little Dog : Jeffrey Hunter and subsequently falls for his daughter Appearing Day : Debra Paget. But things go wrong when appears the jealous suitor : Hugh O'Brian, causing a merciless vengeance.The fate of the West lay in their hands , beyond any Indian adventure ever filmed , for this was the hour of decision and the last and deadly period of the Indian wars .

The picture is acclaimed along with "Broken Arrow" like the first to deal the Indian people with justice and understanding .The movie set during the 1870s is plenty of emotion , drama , romance , go riding , fights , and spectacular outdoors . The film contains enjoyable depiction about Indian habits as it was actually .A young Robert Wagner gives an acceptable acting as a surveyor whose mission is threatened when falls for the chief's daughter. She is played by the gorgeous Debra Paget interpretating a similar role to Broken Arrow. Both of whom are supported by Jeffrey Hunter who played along with Robert Wagner in "The true story of Jesse James" and "A Kiss before Dying .Furthermore , an agreeable support cast , such as : Eduard Franz as Indian chief , Hugh O'Brian as the angry fiance whose ire causes a relentless revenge , Noah Beery Jr as Lt. Ferguson , Emile Meyer , Milburn Stone and Iron Eyes Cody who played a number of Indian roles ; however , being Italian origin . Evocative and imaginative musical score by Hugo Friedhofer who also composed Broken arrow. It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Lucien Ballard , Peckinpah's ordinary cameraman, being shot on location in Fort Laramie , Wyoming , actual Fort at centre of events and activities portrayed and in Durango , Mexico .

The motion picture was well directed by by Robert D Webb. He was a fine craftsman and expert professional who produced and directed all kinds of genres as Cinema as TV episodes. He began working as an assistant director and second unit director in titles as Ramona, Lloyd of London , Seventh heaven , Maryland or Just around the corner. Being his his film debut :The Caribbean mystery ; from now on , he made several cinematic genres . As he realized Westerns such as : The proud ones , The Jackals ; Adventures: Pirates of Tortuga , Seven cites of gold , The way to the gold ; Film Noir : The Cape town affair , The Spiders , The Caribbean mystery ; Warlike : The glory brigade , 7 Women from hell ; and Sci-Fi : On the three hold of space . Although he also made some documentary , shorts, and Telefilms and TV episodes , such as: Temple Houston , Daniel Boone . Rating : 7 .Enjoyable Indian fare that will appeal to Western fans .

Looked at this on TV as just another western but found myself admiring the camera-work, scenery and performances. Though the direction was at times unexciting, the story was well told and dignified by a good performance by Wagner, so very handsome that it is no wonder the young squaw wants her first kiss with him. Jeffery Hunter, so overlooked but always worth watching, looking incredibly fit (sad to think he died just 4 years later) gave a very strong performance as the head-strong son of the chief, (reminds me of Sal Mineo in Cheyenne Autumn (same story?)) who rides around with Hugh O Brian (Wyatt Earp as an native American!). at the end the scenes between Wagner and Hunter are poignant and stay with you. The sad face of the chief says it all. The film was just a bit overlong and drags in parts which meant I missed bits that I should not have done, but there are some magnificent scenery and cavalry and Indian charges.

As a "Western movie" buff, I am surprised that this film is not more familiar to aficionados of the genre. It is a near epic, classical film.

Of course, it suffers from the usual defect common to Westerns made in this era: The Native American leads are played by white actors and there isn't adequate time to fully develop all of the characters.

Still, it is a magnificent film. It has elements of Shane, which was made several years before, and of The Searchers, which was made a year after.

The sweep and the grandeur are very reminiscent of John Ford films. No expense was spared in cinematography, locations, and the number of extras that were employed. Hundreds of Native Americans were employed, including women and children of all ages. The number of mounted cavalry approximate the size of a cavalry regiment. There weren't that many mounted soldiers in John Ford's cavalry trilogy. And, it was all achieved without the aid of computer graphics.

The dialog is realistic and the story, itself, is based on a true incident. A young Robert Wagner is very believable and likable in his solid, understated role.

This film is enormously enjoyable. I remember seeing it in the 1950s at a drive-in theater, and if only I could do so again!

White Feather is a combination of the plots of both Broken Arrow and Cheyenne Autumn. It's the story of a romance between Robert Wagner and Indian princess Debra Paget set against the background of the surrender of the Cheyenne nation to the white man.

Wagner is part of delegation sent to the Cheyenne chief Eduard Franz to negotiate a treaty with the Cheyenne. Although Franz's son Jeffrey Hunter is for no surrender at any price, he and Wagner become friends. Wagner becomes more than friends with Hunter's sister Paget, something that arouses the old jealous green eye in Hugh O'Brian, an Cheyenne warrior who figures Paget's his.

Paget's not going to find it easy in the white world in any case. The post sutler Emile Meyer's not liking Indians in any case and even though his daughter Virginia Leith becomes friends with Paget, she's got a thing for Wagner herself.

White Feather is a sympathetic portrayal of the Cheyenne in the last days of a proud warrior nation. Best in the cast is Jeffrey Hunter, the man who won't give in and most of all won't surrender his pride.

John Lund as the post commander and Milburn Stone the civilian treaty negotiator are in the cast as well. White Feather is a fine western that does not get near enough acclaim.