L'indien

i saw this at a drive in 1971.i'll always think of it every time authority figures disrespect people who want to try to do what's right or fair(that's near-constantly in today's world).flap just wanted what everyone wants,he was kinda sneaky,but mostly he was trying to help his friends(and having fun at the expense of the authorities)i laughed and still do,even though i can't remember a lot of it now.Anthony Quinn did a great job of acting,creating a character that i can relate to and identify with.it is not only politically significant,but very entertaining.this should be re-released in an updated format for more than one reason.please bring it to DVD.

Anthony Quinn is first american Flapping Eagle, and of course, Shelley Winters as Dorothy. (she seemed to be miscast SO many times, in my tiny little opinion.) Story of life on the reservation. Quinn had been in films since the 1930s, so he was a seasoned pro by now, but he is so grandiose and over the top, that it gets kind of silly. Workers are blowing up all the land around the native americans to build a new highway, including their burial grounds. ( whether or not it really IS a burial ground, is up for debate.) this is a strange, serious yet comical take on the plight of the american indian groups, defending their land, as usual, against invasion by the white man. the audience is in on both the seriousness and the humorous approach, much like watching All in the Family. Directed by British Carol Reed. had a mix of hits and bombs; directed The Third Man. and won the Oscar for Oliver! Flap was filmed out in the desert of new mexico. Written by Clair Huffaker, who wrote THREE films for John Wayne!

Flapping Eagle (Anthony Quinn) is an Indian living on a poor reservation. He and his friends struggle to make a living while dealing with racist cops like Sgt. Rafferty whenever they leave their reservation. They get drunk and grow apathetic. His buddy Eleven Snowflake actually publishes an obituary in the newspaper. Flap has an idea to lead a revolt with Eleven writing the story.

There is one moment when the movie surprised me with an opportunity for a great turn. When the construction supervisor takes the turn, this could become something. There is an over-arching issue with this story. These guys are drunks and they're not funny drunks. It's pathetic and rather annoying. He needs to get clean as the inciting incidence for his activism. Once he's clean, he gets a new vision of his purpose in life. That's a better character progression. As it stands, he's all over the place. The movie wants to be a comedy but frustration with him also frustrates the humor. It's a bumpy road but it does eventually get to the right place.

I remember seeing this movie as a boy at the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. I thought it was a very good movie. It kept me laughing (like the book) for years. I still think of this movie and laugh on occasion. At the risk of sounding like I don't care (but being part Osage) I would like to say that the Native American uprising on the 70's (and in part fueled by getting the native plight out to the general population which this movie did) worked! The Native American Nations (at least the ones with any motivation) are prospering. The Osage have Oil on the res. Most reservations now have gaming on them that draw money to the res. Anyone that talks of the plight and whines of the times as they are now should try to become a quiet old man. I await the re-make of this fine film!

It's been a few years since I've seen "Flap," and admittedly the memory is perhaps a little fuzzy in places. Though I've never read Huffaker's "Nobody Likes a Drunken Indian," the movie still stands out as a character study which needed to be told. Showing both sides of life on a remote, post-war reservation, its characters displayed bits and pieces of people I've known on and around a nearby reservation in this region. Also, the destruction of the bulldozer, subsequent bender with its owner, and the theft of a railroad car provided much needed moments of comedy to the ever present backdrop of the plight of the natives. Though few are likely to have heard of this movie, and though I've heard it is currently out of print, I feel it is long overdue for a remake and yes- some improvements. Still, it's one of those films that is well worth a look. -Chuck