L'agguato delle 100 frecce

As an American actor/ screenwriter who loves Westerns, I find "The Dakota Incident" a hidden classic, with it's deft dialogue and uniquely clever romance between the lovely, talented Linda Darnell and the surprisingly skillful Dale Robertson. The scene where they are trapped in the dry wash in the desert and playfully fence with each other, is priceless. When Darnell says, "You throw all the rules right out the window, don't you?" And Robertson replies, "That's just the way you like it, barroom style", is one of the best moments in Western films. A very, underrated Western.... Beau Dare.

An assorted group of people are waiting in Christian Flats for the stage to take them to Laramie. Once the empty stage arrives it's evident that it has been the victim of a Cheyenne attack, but out of need and bravery, the hardy souls decide to risk the journey regardless...

Very much a minor Western in the grand scheme of the 1950s offerings, Dakota Incident makes up for what it lacks in quality, by being an oddly structured film of intrigue. The actual "incident" of the film isn't until about the half way point, because prior to the inevitable Cheyenne attack, there is no shortage of character forming. In fact this might be the longest prologue in Western history! Basically crooked John Banner (Dale Robertson) is shot and apparently left for dead out in the hills by his two so called allies. Getting to the town he proceeds to annoy everyone with his oafishness and of course catch up with the two who wronged him. In amongst all this we are also following the interests of the few who will eventually make up the stage passengers. With sultry Amy Clarke (Linda Darnell), John Carter (John Lund), Regis Toomey's Minstrel and Senator Blakely (Ward Bond) being the main principals. All of whom have back stories as to why they are making this decidedly perilous trip.

It's very good stuff for its first half, in fact I tip my hat off to the makers for really giving the characters some substance. Yes we may not like them really, but at least our attention is held and as they board the stage, we are intrigued as to how things will pan out for them. The second half tho is a mixed bag, the action sequences are poorly put together but are off set a touch by the nice locale work at Red Rock Canyon State Park. While using the "Trucolor" technique really adds a vivid look to the action. None more so than the sight of the vivacious and curvy Darnell, resplendent in bright red dress, firing away at the Cheyenne with her newly acquired rifle. Dale Robertson and John Lund are average at best, but again it's not hurting the film too much because Darnell, Bond and Toomey are holding their ends up. The ending is perhaps a bit twee for some tastes, but it does work and closes the picture on a competent note.

Republic Pictures have done far better films than this, and this one is a tough picture to recommend to even the hardiest of Western fans. But it's got a beguiling factor, and an oddity that means it's definitely one to at least try to see if the chance should arise.

A cautious 6/10 from me.

A story like this would perhaps normally be told from the point of view of John Lund's bank teller, an honest man who is wanted for the robbery committed by fellow stagecoach passenger Dale Robertson. But it's mostly told from Robertson's perspective, a decision that helps prolong the audience's uncertainty about how things will end up. Despite making a few interesting choices like this Dakota Incident only occasionally manages to raise above its Poverty Row roots.

Dakota Incident is a minor western with a pretty decent cast. A stagecoach of very different people is attacked by Indians and have to band together to survive.

The set up is pretty slow as it introduces the main characters but there are some decent scenes before the main event begins, certainly enough to keep you watching. If I'm being honest I found the lead Dale Robertson to be a bit annoying but the supporting cast especially John Lund and Ward Bond are pretty good. The real star though is the beautiful Linda Darnell who is great as the strong but alluring Amy Clarke.

On the downside at times it's a bit too talky for it's own good which does slow the pace too much at times. There is no effort to portray the Indians as anything other than the generic bad guys apart from the character of Senator Blakely who sees them as more than that.

This is a western that ticks most of the boxes tumbleweed, saloons, card games, gunfights, howling coyotes, Indians, stagecoaches, good looking young woman. The lot. So for all it's faults this is still an enjoyable western if by no means a classic.

Once again Republic films portrays the growing of the USA as we know it in the usual dreary palette of primitive colours. A dour film that starts off with a bit of forced glamour from Linda Darnell and a ( would be ) funny scene with Dale Robertson half naked in a bath, and Darnell giving him a cursory glance and Robertson defends his not showing his ' manhood ' by apologising to not stand up for a lady. Fortunately Darnell is in the film, as I like her acting ability very much. As for Dale Robertson he tries as usual to act, but fails. Which fits in with this drab drama about desolate small towns, tumbleweed and a need for a group of people to get out of this hell almost as existential in its despair as Sartre ( if he was able to write such trash, ) and then the stagecoach arrives. What happens on it is pathetically inevitable and of course the ' demon ' Native Americans are vilified as they usually are in such films and turn ' nasty. ' Darnell was second choice after the great Anne Baxter ( for ' All About Eve ' anyway ) and I am glad she was. It is for her I give her a 4, and I watched this hack directed piece after a serious illness. She helped me recover.