This made for television movie has retired Marshall Matt Dillon (James Arness) picking up a letter from old flame Mike Yardner (Michael Learned.) This is accompanied with old footage between Matt and her.
Mike has something important to tell him, the paternity of her daughter Beth. However before Matt gets there, the ranch has been attacked by a renegade Indian called Wolf. He has taken Beth captive.
Now Matt learns that he had a daughter with Mike and she has been abducted. To help free her, Matt wants to exchange Beth for the two sons of Geronimo. They are held in jail by General Nelson Miles. A man of dubious honour.
Having never watched the long lasting television series. This television movie seemed to be a long line of television shows resurrected as TV movies. I recall something similar with The Incredible Hulk, The Six Million Dollar Man and even The Return of Elliot Ness.
There is a sense of revisionism about this with the treatment of Indians. General Miles is painted as a monster. Although Wolf is played by a non Native Indian actor.
At least Matt Dillon has something substantial here, some high stakes with him trying to retrieve his daughter.
Mike has something important to tell him, the paternity of her daughter Beth. However before Matt gets there, the ranch has been attacked by a renegade Indian called Wolf. He has taken Beth captive.
Now Matt learns that he had a daughter with Mike and she has been abducted. To help free her, Matt wants to exchange Beth for the two sons of Geronimo. They are held in jail by General Nelson Miles. A man of dubious honour.
Having never watched the long lasting television series. This television movie seemed to be a long line of television shows resurrected as TV movies. I recall something similar with The Incredible Hulk, The Six Million Dollar Man and even The Return of Elliot Ness.
There is a sense of revisionism about this with the treatment of Indians. General Miles is painted as a monster. Although Wolf is played by a non Native Indian actor.
At least Matt Dillon has something substantial here, some high stakes with him trying to retrieve his daughter.