La Brigade héroïque

Saskatchewan is well worth watching for the spectacular scenery and cinematography alone. But in fairness, the story and acting was above average for a 1950s Western, too. The plot has been done before and some of the dialog is cliché, but if you like a reasonable effort to show a balanced portrayal of both sides of the Indian/white conflict -- you should like this movie.

If you liked Alan Ladd in Shane, you'll like him here, as well. Jay Silverheels, before he became Tonto, is his adopted brother. A young Shellie Winters and J. Carroll Naish add interest.

I had to laugh at all the reviews complaining about the title and noting that the film was filmed in Banff National Park which is in Alberta, not Saskatchewan. They apparently did not read the introduction which clearly stated "Saskatchewan River Territory - 1877". At that time, neither Alberta nor Saskatchewan existed as Provinces. But the Saskatchewan River, then as now, begins in what is now Banff National Park.

There were a number of other complaints about the anachronistic Mountie head gear worn in this movie. I suggest they send those letters to the retired Mountie Commander who was the technical adviser for the film. Surely, he should have returned his fee if they refused his advice on such a crucial matter (sarc).

Who ever wrote this scipt apparenly was never in The Canadian West. I live in Manitoba and have traveled many times to the West Coast I have never yet seen a mountain in Saskatchewan. We never had any sort of trouble with the Sioux when they came into Canada and certanly no N.W.W.P. constable would allow a Canadian never mind an American shoot an indian in the back. And the Costumes terrible, the Mounties wore Pill Box Hats I think untill about 1919 when they became the R.C.M.P.And th music is the march past of the royal 22 regement Vive la Canadienne and certanly would not have been known out west.All in all a lousey movie about the Canadian west, very little truth.

I would have to agree with most of the other posters, who give this film mixed reviews. The scenery is fantastic, the action is compelling, and there are a number of good actors on hand. But the historical inaccuracies, concerning things like the Mounties' costumes, and the actions of the post-Custer (Last Stand) Sioux, do detract from the film. Raoul Walsh is one of my favorite old-time directors, but he made his share of films which deviate from the truth. After all, he did direct the Errol Flynn version of Custer, "They Died With Their Boots On," which must be one of the most fanciful historical films ever. Walsh wasn't (and isn't) alone in this casual disregard for the truth, by any means. Everyone knows that there is history, and there is movie history. And plenty of other directors took as many liberties with the truth. The great John Ford, for instance. For example, the shoot-out at the OK Corral was nothing like that portrayed in "My Darling Clementine" (great film though it is). And the fact that Monument Valley creeps into so many of his westerns, some of which are taking place far from that photogenic area, isn't accuracy at work. Artistic license, and making a good movie, have often taken precedence in this regard.

One Walsh movie which does seem more true-to-life is "The Big Trail," his ground-breaking 1930 film with John Wayne. Historians could no doubt find some mistakes in the film, but it seems fairly realistic as regards a covered wagon trek. Maybe the lesson is that historical fiction is often best, as inconvenient facts can't get in your way. And classic Hollywood directors had no monopoly on putting myth before truth. Look at contemporary directors like Oliver Stone and Michael Bay, who put the older Hollywood folks to shame. Stone, in particular, takes almost psychedelic flights of fancy in his films, and any relation to true events seems very tenuous. As many have pointed out, John Ford addressed this issue of myth-making versus truth-telling, in his film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." It should come as no surprise that the myth often wins out. And even when true stories are told fairly accurately, as in "Glory," small liberties are taken with things like contemporary language, and events are often compressed or moved around. A classic movie like "The Great Escape," while basically telling a true story, fictionalized large aspects of it (not many, or any, Americans involved; it's the wrong season, etc.), something that no doubt irritated the men who were really there. Another great prison camp movie, "The Bridge on the River Kwai," was guilty of the same things.

Anyway, Raoul wasn't immune to any of that, as this film clearly shows. If one looks at it as pure fiction, and if one buys the scenes of Mounties trying to be inconspicuous, in the woods, while wearing bright red uniforms, it's a pretty entertaining movie. Those more knowledgeable than I can point out the geographical and historical errors in this film. I'm sure that anyone with proximity to Saskatchewan can find many things to chuckle over.

In 1945, Alan Ladd played the title role in a film called "Salty O'Rourke," directed by Raoul Walsh. Ladd's character's name in this film is O'Rourke, too. An in-joke, perhaps? It does seem like more than coincidence, considering that the two men didn't work together often. Also, does the plot remind anyone of other Walsh "chase" films, like "Objective Burma," and "Distant Drums," where army units are being pursued through hostile terrain, often by an unseen enemy (in this film, the pursuers are shown very clearly)? A nail-biting plot, but one which does get repetitive. Also, what's with the jungle bird sounds that the Sioux make? Not your usual Canadian bird calls.

Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse vacationed in Banff. There are snow capped mountains surrounding Fort Walsh in SW Saskatchewan. The Mounties had a gun battle with the Sioux, leaving many dead on both sides. You can travel by canoe from the Rockies to Fort Walsh in a day (quite a feat considering it's hundreds of miles, and there's no river).

It's all good.

Indian scouts making jungle calls to each other at night. Mighty Alan Ladd slaying men left and right, winning the heart of the beautiful woman, and never having to raise his voice or change it from a flat, dull monotone. That's the kind of men the Mounties were made of.

Best of all, Shelley Winters in a low cut dress, six gun in hand explaining "I was on my way to Battleford!"

10/10

It is set in Western Canada , in the wonderful Saskatchewan region with its lush forests and wild rivers . A Mountie constable of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called Thomas O'Rourke : Alan Ladd and his Indian partner , Jay Silverheels , encounter a fired wagon train , at the same time they meet a wounded woman and sole survivor named Grace : Shelley Winters . Meanwhile, Sioux commanded by chiefs Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse have vanquished George Armstrong Custer's 7th cavalry in 1876 , and they go across the border . Sioux are attempting to force the Cree in being allies to their battles the US army . Later on , Mountie Thomas revolts against his stiff-upper-lip commander : Robert Douglas and trying to persuade the Cree to help them . Thomas must aid Creek Indians and also Grace , who is accused for killing and being pursued by deputy Smith : Hugh O'Brian . Along the way the group of Mounties escapes from the Sioux by the wild river .

Spectacular and enough budget western with thrills , adventures , battles , go riding , emotion and being mostly shot on location in Saskatchewan . This is an impressive saga of the conquest of the Saskatchewan territory where the Royal Northwest Mounted Police stood alone against the fury of the Custer-massacring Sioux and the savage Cree nation . Thinly written for the screen by Gil Doud , author of the original story based on facts , including some disapponting moments ; nevertheless , it was ably made by the great director Raoul Walsh . On the plus side are reasonable good acting from a nice cast and support cast . As main cast is pretty good , it stars the estimable Alan Ladd , a fine actor who performed some classic Noir Films and a lot of Westerns , such as The Badlanders , Proud rebel , Drum beat , Branded and the classic Shane . Support cast is frankly fine , Robert Douglas is very authentic and striking looking as the inept and vengeful commandant . The female lead is taken by pretty Shelley Winters as a captive , but she has little to do and isn't in it very much . Other secondaries appearing are Hugh O'Brian , Richard Long , J. Carrol Naish , George J. Lewis , Lewis Gilmore and as narrator : Rex Reason. And some actors playing Indians as Antonio Moreno : Chief Dark Cloud , Anthony Caruso : Spotted Eagle and Indian Cajou played by Jay Silverheels , the famous Tonto from Lone Ranger series.

This colorful movie belongs to Canadian Mountie sub-genre including important titles as the classy Unconquered by Cecil B DeMille with Gary Cooper , Pony Soldier 1952 by Joseph M. Newman with Tyrone Power and The Canadians by Burt Kennedy with Robert Ryan . This Saskatchewan packs a glimmer and rousing cinematography by John F. Seitz , showing splendorous landscapes. The motion picture was well directed by Raoul Walsh . He was a prolific filmmaker , writer , actor and producer . He directed all kinds of genres with penchant for Western , Noir Film and Gangster movies. Raoul directed westerns for Warner Bros as They died with their boots on 1942 , Sílver river 1948 with Errol Flynn , Colorado territory 1949 with Joel McCrea , Cheyenne with Dennis Morgan and Along the Great Divide with Kirk Douglas . In Universal Pictures Walsh directed : The lawless breed , Gun fury with Rock Hudson , and Saskatchewan . His two best considered westerns were The Big TraIl and Dark Command. And his last westerns were The tall men 1955 , The King and 4 queens 1956 with Clark Gable and The sheriff of Fractured Jaw with Kenneth Moore .

Saskatchewan is no earth shattering watching experience at all , but with its saving graces as the attractive , appealing outdoors , and the presence of its charming stars , it is just about worth a look . Rating 6/10.