Rebelión india

A typical Columbia cavalry picture, attractively lit in Supercinecolor by Ellis Carter; set in 1885, when dastardly white men are as usual scheming to take advantage of the noble Apaches.

Veteran Mexican actor Miguel Inclan (who a few years earlier had played Cochise in 'Fort Apache') here speaks entirely in his native language in the role of Geronimo as he eventually reaches a rapprochement with square-jawed hero George Montgomery.

There is nothing even remotely original about Indian Uprising which regurgitates themes and character types from countless Westerns that went before it ,but it remains a watchable movie aided by its brief running time (75 minutes ) and brisk direction ,which ensures the picture never outstays its welcome George Montgomery plays UC Cavalry officer ,Captain McLoud who is trying to keep the peace between Geronimo's Apaches on the San Carlos Reservation and the white prospectors who are violating the peace treaty by searching for gold on the Reservation .His endeavours are so successful that he becomes a threat to the businessman backing the miners that they have him suspended and replaced by the inexperienced martinet Major Stark whose bungling ,bull headed leadership soon starts a fully fledged war between the Apaches and the whites especially when the Apaches are falsely accused of murdering a miner.Mcloud must try to rebuild the peace in the face of enemies both civilian and military all the time while he is wooing the daughter of the local Indian agent and mentoring a callow young officer Lieutenant Whitley (played respectively by Audrey Long and John Baer)

The movie is derivative and John Ford's cavalry pictures are a direct inspiration .The troopers are "types" lifted straight from Ford and one scene in which the blundering Stark leads his men into an ambush is evocative of a similar scene in Ford's masterly Fort Apache but done with less style and a lower budget .

The acting is proficient and the movie will entertain Western devotees well enough despite some muddy colour and an original ploy .Professional and solid but no more

Out of Columbia Pictures, Indian Uprising is directed by Ray Nazarro, written by Richard Schayer & Kenneth Gamet and stars George Montgomery, Audrey Long, Robert Shayne, Carl Benton Reid, Miguel Inclan & Eugene Iglesias. It's shot on location at Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth in California and Sedona in Arizona (Ellis W. Carter on photography).

Arizona 1885 and Captain Chase McCloud (Montgomery) is desperately trying to keep the peace with the Geronimo (Inclan) led Apache. But the residents of Tuscon don't want peace, there's gold out on the Apache reservation, which is now deemed as sole Apache territory. So when a new commander comes to the base and McCloud is relieved of charge, the treaty is easily broken by the corrupt townsfolk who use underhand methods. Can McCloud avert all out war and restore peace with the now mistrusting Geronimo?.

Considering its low budget restrictions and a largely unknown cast, Indian Uprising is far better than it has right to be. Sure the story is nothing out the ordinary, and definitely the "lone white man trying to keep peace" theme has been done considerably better than this. But the pace is brisk, the scenery pleasant and there's enough action spread out during the 75 minutes to keep the Western fan happy. Thesp wise it's stock performances for stock characters, tho Montgomery does fit the part well physically. While a waterside fisticuff sequence is a particular highlight. Shot in something boldly called Super Cine Color, the print of the film sadly isn't up to much. Cloudy colour flits in and out and spotting too is a reoccurring issue. It's unlikely that anyone loves this film enough to re-master it.

Still the print issues aren't major enough to stop one from enjoying the film. Quickly forgotten once over, Indian Rising is, however, an enjoyable enough Oater to spend a part of the afternoon with. 6/10

Like it SHOULD be: One of those movies that makes you root for the Indians: Some white guys want to mine land which is part of a reservation, so they come up with an idea to result in the annihilation of the Apaches. The plan involves the caucasians killing a prospector but framing the tribe. The scheme also provides for the replacement of the Indian-friendly commander of the area's cavalry unit. How could the incoming major NOT think that he was dealing with unworthy savages? No glaring unreality here. Nice, color scenery. Professional in all other aspects, too. Pretty good, in my book.

Cavalry captain Case McCloud finds himself in a perilous position when avaricious gold prospectors threaten to undermine the peace with the neighbouring Apache and their irascible leader, Geronimo.

An energetic little cavalry western starring the stoic George Montgomery as a cavalry captain knee deep in trying to quell an uprising is straight to the point, compact, with enough action and drama to keep you glued. Ray Nazzaro directs well.