Lederstrumpf, 1. Teil: Der Wildtöter und Chingachgook

Deerslayer, The (1920)

** (out of 4)

Deerslayer (Emil Mamelok) and his trusted Indian friend Chingachgook (Bela Lugosi) battle mean Indians, dumb white people and more in this early Western. I've seen a lot of silent films in my days but I've never spent more time reading a film rather than watching it. The film runs a short 59-minutes but I swear at least 40 of those minutes were title cards trying to explain the story, which was rather confusing even with all the titles. There are a couple good action scenes but overall there are countless better films dealing with Indians. The biggest reason to see this flick is for Bela Lugosi in what I believe is his earliest surviving silent film. Sadly, he really isn't given much to do except stand around straight and tall like an Indian you'd see in front of a cigar store. It was kinda funny seeing the distinguished actor with mud all over his body (to look Indian) and running around topless. The full title is Lederstrumpf, 1. Teil: Der Wildtöter und Chingachgook. A sequel followed but it's lost.