After listening to a very sappy and dated song (I mean no disrespect to Canadians...but the song is awful), the film begins in Canada just after the Battle of Little Big Horn. A group of several thousand Sioux have moved into Canada to escape the US government's extermination program and they appear to just want peace and a place to live. But just in case they have hostile intentions, three Mounties (led by Robert Ryan) are sent to discuss terms the Sioux must abide by to remain there. The Sioux agree and things appear that they'll work out well. However, when a group of scum from Wyoming arrive, they break the peace by attacking and killing many in the Sioux camp. These men claim to be there to retrieving stolen cattle...but they don't seem very particular WHICH cattle they take. They also kill several Sioux. Despite being only three, the Mounties arrest these invaders and are taking them to justice. However, there are two problems...the Sioux who might not agree to let white justice prevail AND the Wymoning men are jerks and you wonder how long they'll agree to go to the nearest big town for a trial...and when they'll try to kill the Mounties.
This is a most unusual plot and portrays the Natives in a very positive manner. This certainly isn't an America-centric view of history...and time has shown that it's probably the correct view of this part of history. This is because following Little Big Horn came some nasty atrocities (read up on Wounded Knee to learn more) by the US Cavalry.
So is this more modern sort of western worth your time? Well, it is a pretty movie...in vivid color and Cinemascope as well as being filmed on location in Saskatchewan (probably somewhere near Dog River). It also has a most unusual plot...whereas MOST westerns fall into about two or three common themes. I think because of these factors and some excellent acting, it's a woefully underrated film and I cannot understand its current score of 5.4. I actually think it's one of the better westerns I've seen.
