Héroes de la policía montada

A commendable attempt by first-time director Burt Kennedy to do something as far removed from a conventional Hollywood western as he could manage (which included going north of the 49th Parallel). Sadly it was both a critical and commercial flop and when eventually allowed to direct again he stuck thereafter to more conventional fare.

The cast acts well and the bright red Mounties' uniforms against the rolling autumnal Saskatchewan plains (photographed by British cameraman Arthur Ibbetson), the sombre mood and the vibrant soprano voice of Metropolitan opera star Theresa Stratus all linger in the memory long after the film is over, however. And it has Robert Ryan in it.

A rather curious debut for the screenwriter of Randy Scott - Budd Boetticher's team: COMMANCHE STATION, TALL T, SEVEN MEN FROM NOW.... But it is not bad, just unexpected, I mea on the script, story, characters; however we can feel something clumsy, as if Kennedy did not excatly know how to build something as solid as usual with the means that he disposed of. That's my opinion. Some trademarks here from the KENNEDY screenwriter of Scott & Boetticher crew: he insists from time to time on supporting characters depiction, such as young men talking about themselves. You also have this in his westerns as screenwriter. Bob Ryan doesn't seem to be totally concerned by his character.

THE CANADIANS is surprisingly satisfying both as a history lesson and cinema entertainment. The story tells how the North West Mounted Police came to be established in Saskatchewan. It features an anomaly in early 1960s Hollywood films: Indians played by actual Indians speaking a real Indian language, albeit this is limited and the Sioux woman that Inspector Gannon talks to is actually speaking Cree. The acting is solid, both from the established cowboy stars like Robert Ryan and John Dehner and the supporting cast which includes two people who won awards in non-acting fields( Burt Metcalfe produced the TV show "M*A*S*H*"; Teresa Stratas was a star on Broadway and the Met). Teresa Stratas is the real star of this film. Her character is the romantic love interest and her story is pivotal to the plot. She sings three songs, one of which is a Sioux lullaby which is probably meant to replicate Jennette MacDonald's "Indian Love Call" from ROSE MARIE. However, in this movie, the song is sung to her 2 year old Metis child, not to her Mountie lover. If you saw and liked "Alien Thunder" with Donald Sutherland, you'll want to watch this one which shares similar plots and settings(Cypress Hills in beautiful Cinemascope, in this case) but also fine performances from Jack Creley. THE CANADIANS was Creley's first film; his second was DR. STRANGELOVE. The beautiful scenery may also remind you of the film "Zulu" made a few years later. Even the costumes and the plot are "Zulu"-ish, with the red coat officers taming a "wild country" on behalf of the Queen. In conclusion, this is a fine film that shows an important moment in Canadian history and American cinema.

After listening to a very sappy and dated song (I mean no disrespect to Canadians...but the song is awful), the film begins in Canada just after the Battle of Little Big Horn. A group of several thousand Sioux have moved into Canada to escape the US government's extermination program and they appear to just want peace and a place to live. But just in case they have hostile intentions, three Mounties (led by Robert Ryan) are sent to discuss terms the Sioux must abide by to remain there. The Sioux agree and things appear that they'll work out well. However, when a group of scum from Wyoming arrive, they break the peace by attacking and killing many in the Sioux camp. These men claim to be there to retrieving stolen cattle...but they don't seem very particular WHICH cattle they take. They also kill several Sioux. Despite being only three, the Mounties arrest these invaders and are taking them to justice. However, there are two problems...the Sioux who might not agree to let white justice prevail AND the Wymoning men are jerks and you wonder how long they'll agree to go to the nearest big town for a trial...and when they'll try to kill the Mounties.

This is a most unusual plot and portrays the Natives in a very positive manner. This certainly isn't an America-centric view of history...and time has shown that it's probably the correct view of this part of history. This is because following Little Big Horn came some nasty atrocities (read up on Wounded Knee to learn more) by the US Cavalry.

So is this more modern sort of western worth your time? Well, it is a pretty movie...in vivid color and Cinemascope as well as being filmed on location in Saskatchewan (probably somewhere near Dog River). It also has a most unusual plot...whereas MOST westerns fall into about two or three common themes. I think because of these factors and some excellent acting, it's a woefully underrated film and I cannot understand its current score of 5.4. I actually think it's one of the better westerns I've seen.

I actually saw this movie in 1961 when it was world-wide premiered at our theatre (The Capitol Theatre) here in Regina, SK.

From this date forward, I fell in love with the beautiful Cypress Hills area, here in our great Province of Saskatchewan in Canada! You understand that, with it's altitude, only certain flora and fauna are unique to this area as The Cypress Hills area is the highest elevation in Canada East of the Canadian Rocky Mountains! Of course the Cypress Hills was the original site for the movie shoot - The Canadians! I would love to buy a DVD copy of this film. Can anyone help me ?? Thank you, Joe Lomas, Regina, SK