37 reviews
The film is a respectful telling of the 1877 campaign in Wyoming to contain the Indians by persuading them to leave the plains, sign the treaty of peace, and move to a new land in the south
Wagner who affirms to colonel John Lund in charge of Fort Laramie that he has no feeling about Indians, makes Indians friends, particularly with two young warriors Little Dog and American Horse...
Complications arise when Chief Broken Hand's daughter Appearing Day (Debra Paget) engaged to American Horse falls in love with Tanner (Wagner) and he with her Tanner's friendship with Little Dog grows slowly but surely It is one of the most enduring traits of the film, having just the right amount of momentum, frustration and humor...
Jeffrey Hunter steals the show with a great performance of the proud warrior Little Dog whose pen does not fit Cheyenne warriors' hand as well as the arrow Little Dog's blood ran hot at the council, gets angry and chooseswith his pal American Horse to meet the troops in battle
Eduard Franz is superb as the venerable Indian chief, Broken Hand, who called the council to tell them that on this day, they have agreed to take the offer of the white man and leave this country Hugh O'Brian is well chosen as Hunter's best friend, American Horse Noah Beery does one of his better work as the obedient cavalry lieutenant
Debra Paget reprises her role as the radiant Indian girl Appearing Day who would be happy in a white man's world We all remember her role as the delicate Indian healer girl Sonseeahray in Delmer Daves' memorable Western "Broken Arrow."
Robert D. Webb captures splendid panoramic shots that site expansive stretches of green fields and blue skies Webb does provide a handful of transcendent moments, the most spellbinding of which is Tanner's participation in honoring his brave friend
Wagner who affirms to colonel John Lund in charge of Fort Laramie that he has no feeling about Indians, makes Indians friends, particularly with two young warriors Little Dog and American Horse...
Complications arise when Chief Broken Hand's daughter Appearing Day (Debra Paget) engaged to American Horse falls in love with Tanner (Wagner) and he with her Tanner's friendship with Little Dog grows slowly but surely It is one of the most enduring traits of the film, having just the right amount of momentum, frustration and humor...
Jeffrey Hunter steals the show with a great performance of the proud warrior Little Dog whose pen does not fit Cheyenne warriors' hand as well as the arrow Little Dog's blood ran hot at the council, gets angry and chooseswith his pal American Horse to meet the troops in battle
Eduard Franz is superb as the venerable Indian chief, Broken Hand, who called the council to tell them that on this day, they have agreed to take the offer of the white man and leave this country Hugh O'Brian is well chosen as Hunter's best friend, American Horse Noah Beery does one of his better work as the obedient cavalry lieutenant
Debra Paget reprises her role as the radiant Indian girl Appearing Day who would be happy in a white man's world We all remember her role as the delicate Indian healer girl Sonseeahray in Delmer Daves' memorable Western "Broken Arrow."
Robert D. Webb captures splendid panoramic shots that site expansive stretches of green fields and blue skies Webb does provide a handful of transcendent moments, the most spellbinding of which is Tanner's participation in honoring his brave friend
- Nazi_Fighter_David
- Jun 23, 2007
- Permalink
Good Western , considered one of the first Hollywood films to side with the Indians . 1887 Wyoming , this is the story of a complex peace carried out by the Natives : Sioux , Arapahoes , BlackFoot and the US government . But a tribe resists the complete pacification : The Cheyenne . As a twisted and troublesome relationship takes place between the American cavalry commanded by Col. Lindsay from Fort Laramie : John Lund and the Cheyenne Indians led by Broken Hand ; while crooks settlers and mean traders thwart peace . A civilian surveyor : Robert Wagner attempts to make up , as he sets out to find true peace among feuding White men and Indians . Later on , he befriends a Cheyenne chief , Broken Hand: Eduard Franz , and his son Little Dog : Jeffrey Hunter and subsequently falls for his daughter Appearing Day : Debra Paget. But things go wrong when appears the jealous suitor : Hugh O'Brian, causing a merciless vengeance.The fate of the West lay in their hands , beyond any Indian adventure ever filmed , for this was the hour of decision and the last and deadly period of the Indian wars .
The picture is acclaimed along with "Broken Arrow" like the first to deal the Indian people with justice and understanding .The movie set during the 1870s is plenty of emotion , drama , romance , go riding , fights , and spectacular outdoors . The film contains enjoyable depiction about Indian habits as it was actually .A young Robert Wagner gives an acceptable acting as a surveyor whose mission is threatened when falls for the chief's daughter. She is played by the gorgeous Debra Paget interpretating a similar role to Broken Arrow. Both of whom are supported by Jeffrey Hunter who played along with Robert Wagner in "The true story of Jesse James" and "A Kiss before Dying .Furthermore , an agreeable support cast , such as : Eduard Franz as Indian chief , Hugh O'Brian as the angry fiance whose ire causes a relentless revenge , Noah Beery Jr as Lt. Ferguson , Emile Meyer , Milburn Stone and Iron Eyes Cody who played a number of Indian roles ; however , being Italian origin . Evocative and imaginative musical score by Hugo Friedhofer who also composed Broken arrow. It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Lucien Ballard , Peckinpah's ordinary cameraman, being shot on location in Fort Laramie , Wyoming , actual Fort at centre of events and activities portrayed and in Durango , Mexico .
The motion picture was well directed by by Robert D Webb. He was a fine craftsman and expert professional who produced and directed all kinds of genres as Cinema as TV episodes. He began working as an assistant director and second unit director in titles as Ramona, Lloyd of London , Seventh heaven , Maryland or Just around the corner. Being his his film debut :The Caribbean mystery ; from now on , he made several cinematic genres . As he realized Westerns such as : The proud ones , The Jackals ; Adventures: Pirates of Tortuga , Seven cites of gold , The way to the gold ; Film Noir : The Cape town affair , The Spiders , The Caribbean mystery ; Warlike : The glory brigade , 7 Women from hell ; and Sci-Fi : On the three hold of space . Although he also made some documentary , shorts, and Telefilms and TV episodes , such as: Temple Houston , Daniel Boone . Rating : 7 .Enjoyable Indian fare that will appeal to Western fans .
The picture is acclaimed along with "Broken Arrow" like the first to deal the Indian people with justice and understanding .The movie set during the 1870s is plenty of emotion , drama , romance , go riding , fights , and spectacular outdoors . The film contains enjoyable depiction about Indian habits as it was actually .A young Robert Wagner gives an acceptable acting as a surveyor whose mission is threatened when falls for the chief's daughter. She is played by the gorgeous Debra Paget interpretating a similar role to Broken Arrow. Both of whom are supported by Jeffrey Hunter who played along with Robert Wagner in "The true story of Jesse James" and "A Kiss before Dying .Furthermore , an agreeable support cast , such as : Eduard Franz as Indian chief , Hugh O'Brian as the angry fiance whose ire causes a relentless revenge , Noah Beery Jr as Lt. Ferguson , Emile Meyer , Milburn Stone and Iron Eyes Cody who played a number of Indian roles ; however , being Italian origin . Evocative and imaginative musical score by Hugo Friedhofer who also composed Broken arrow. It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Lucien Ballard , Peckinpah's ordinary cameraman, being shot on location in Fort Laramie , Wyoming , actual Fort at centre of events and activities portrayed and in Durango , Mexico .
The motion picture was well directed by by Robert D Webb. He was a fine craftsman and expert professional who produced and directed all kinds of genres as Cinema as TV episodes. He began working as an assistant director and second unit director in titles as Ramona, Lloyd of London , Seventh heaven , Maryland or Just around the corner. Being his his film debut :The Caribbean mystery ; from now on , he made several cinematic genres . As he realized Westerns such as : The proud ones , The Jackals ; Adventures: Pirates of Tortuga , Seven cites of gold , The way to the gold ; Film Noir : The Cape town affair , The Spiders , The Caribbean mystery ; Warlike : The glory brigade , 7 Women from hell ; and Sci-Fi : On the three hold of space . Although he also made some documentary , shorts, and Telefilms and TV episodes , such as: Temple Houston , Daniel Boone . Rating : 7 .Enjoyable Indian fare that will appeal to Western fans .
White Feather is out of Panoramic Productions, it's directed by Robert D. Webb and stars Robert Wagner, Debra Paget, John Lund, Eduard Franz & Jeffrey Hunter. It's adapted from a John Prebble story by Delmer Daves & Leo Townsend. It was filmed in Durango, Mexico, with Lucien Ballard on cinematography duties (CinemaScope/Technicolor) and Hugo Friedhofer provides the score. Plot centres around the peace mission from the US cavalry to the Cheyenne Indians in Wyoming during the 1870s, but problems arose because a few of the Cheyenne refused to leave their hunting grounds.
One of the few 1950s Westerns to show sympathy towards the Indian plight, White Feather is a well intentioned and well executed movie. It suffers a little from familiarity with Broken Arrow (1950), where Delmer Daves had directed James Stewart and Debra Paget thru a similar script to the one that's now in front of Wagner and Paget; and lets face it-Wagner is no Jimmy Stewart- and Robert Webb is no Delmer Daves-but there's more than enough good here to lift it above many other liberal Westerns.
Away from the endearing and emotive story (and it is as the Cheyenne are forced out of Wyoming by the Federals), the film also boasts high points for the Western fan to gorge upon. It's gorgeously shot in CinemaScope by Ballard, a first class lens-man in the genre, and Friedhofer's score is pulsating, evocative and in tune with the tone of the tale. Also of note is that these Native Americans aren't caricatures or pantomime Indians. They may be being played by white actors (Hunter & Franz do especially good work), but they feel real and come out as the human beings they were. In fact the whole movie looks convincing.
There's some missteps along the way; such as Wagner over acting and having a voice that's sounds out of place in the Wild West, while the romantic angle (Paget is so beautiful here who could not fall in love with her?) does at times threaten to clog up the narrative. But these things don't hurt the film. On the flip side there's the smooth pacing of the piece, it's only when the tense and exciting climax has arrived that you realise how well the slow burn first half was handled. And Webb may well be a second unit director in all but name here, but his construction of the scenes with hundreds of extras is top notch work.
A fine and under seen Western that is based on actual events and doesn't over egg its pudding. 7/10
One of the few 1950s Westerns to show sympathy towards the Indian plight, White Feather is a well intentioned and well executed movie. It suffers a little from familiarity with Broken Arrow (1950), where Delmer Daves had directed James Stewart and Debra Paget thru a similar script to the one that's now in front of Wagner and Paget; and lets face it-Wagner is no Jimmy Stewart- and Robert Webb is no Delmer Daves-but there's more than enough good here to lift it above many other liberal Westerns.
Away from the endearing and emotive story (and it is as the Cheyenne are forced out of Wyoming by the Federals), the film also boasts high points for the Western fan to gorge upon. It's gorgeously shot in CinemaScope by Ballard, a first class lens-man in the genre, and Friedhofer's score is pulsating, evocative and in tune with the tone of the tale. Also of note is that these Native Americans aren't caricatures or pantomime Indians. They may be being played by white actors (Hunter & Franz do especially good work), but they feel real and come out as the human beings they were. In fact the whole movie looks convincing.
There's some missteps along the way; such as Wagner over acting and having a voice that's sounds out of place in the Wild West, while the romantic angle (Paget is so beautiful here who could not fall in love with her?) does at times threaten to clog up the narrative. But these things don't hurt the film. On the flip side there's the smooth pacing of the piece, it's only when the tense and exciting climax has arrived that you realise how well the slow burn first half was handled. And Webb may well be a second unit director in all but name here, but his construction of the scenes with hundreds of extras is top notch work.
A fine and under seen Western that is based on actual events and doesn't over egg its pudding. 7/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Sep 3, 2010
- Permalink
This is a precedent setting Western which suffers from an average script, poor casting and botched editing. There are many similarities between this film and "Broken Arrow". These similarities begin with the sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans. Debra Paget is also on hand to once more play her role as an Indian woman in love with a White man. The main problem here is that Robert Wagner is not Jimmy Stewart. Delmer Daves had a role in both films, but unfortunately he was limited in "White Feather" to co-writing the script. Robert Webb directed this film.
This film seems to be the victim of poor editing. The Ann character played by Virginia Leith is potentially one of the most interesting in the film. There is more than a hint at the beginning that she has a dark secret. "Did my father tell you about me", she asks Josh Tanner (Wagner). Her father (played by Emile Meyer) later elaborates that "she is unfit merchandise". Unfortunately, this aspect of the plot is not developed. Jeffrey Hunter steals the show with his sympathetic and sensitive portrayal of Little Dog, a Cheyenne leader. He and Tanner become friends, and their friendship is one of the memorable elements in this film. Little Dog is proud to be a Cheyenne. He is torn between loyalty to his father, Chief Broken Hand (played by Eduard Franz), and his warrior code. In the end it becomes a choice between giving up his heritage to walk the White Man's road and dying well. The choice isn't as obvious as it seems. Little Dog's friend American Horse (played by Hugh O'Brian) has the opportunity to make the same choice and blows it.
This film's portrayal of the Native American tragedy is both sympathetic and different. Tanner tells the Colonel (played by John Lund) at the beginning that he has no feeling about Indians. He is indifferent. Ann makes her sympathies clear at the start. "I feel sorry for them," she says and she and Tanner watch the tribes as they prepare to sign a treaty giving up their lands. Ultimately, Tanner's friendship with Little Dog gives him a new perspective. Unlike "Devil's Doorway", another film which works hard to present the Native American view of the winning of the West, this film's ending is more upbeat. I still haven't been able to force myself to watch all of "Devil's Doorway".
Although marriages between Whites and Indians were not unusual in the real West, they had a difficult time surviving in the morality of films of the 40's and 50's. This film is one of the first in which a White character marries an Indian girl. Most Westerns of the time did not permit such relationships to become permanent. Paget's character in "Broken Arrow" is tragically killed. Similar violent endings terminate relationships in "Drum Beat", "Rock Island Line" and "Across the Wide Missouri". In "The Far Horizons" the Native American character ends the relationship by returning to her people so that one of the lead characters can marry a White woman. Dewey Martin's character in "The Big Sky" marries an Indian woman, but he has to make a choice. Will he return to the settlements where there is no place for her or will he live with the Blackfeet? Ultimately, he chooses Indian life. If the film's script had included part two of Guthrie's novel, we would see that this relationship was ultimately the victim of tragedy as well. Tanner's decision in this film to marry the Indian woman and live in the White world is truly unusual for films of the time.
It is the friendship between Tanner and Little Dog which makes the film worth watching. Wagner plays his relationship with Hunter's Little Dog with a lot more feeling and credibility than he does his romantic interest in Paget's character. Hunter's performance is a gem. Unlike Native American roles in so many other Westerns Hunter doesn't offer us the inane dialogue and dopey hand movements which we see too often in such roles. Although Tanner and Little Dog come from different worlds, their shared humanity is refreshingly realistic. It is ironic that their friendship becomes the catalyst for peace. Little Dog as a warrior is opposed to peace. "The treaty pen does not fit my hand", he jokes to Tanner.
Despite its flaws, this film is worth watching for its creative story and its sympathetic and credible portrayal of the Native American experience. The emphasis on story over action is unusual for such a Western and with a little better script it would have worked. Even so, it works well enough for me. I have watched it many times and will continue to do so.
This film seems to be the victim of poor editing. The Ann character played by Virginia Leith is potentially one of the most interesting in the film. There is more than a hint at the beginning that she has a dark secret. "Did my father tell you about me", she asks Josh Tanner (Wagner). Her father (played by Emile Meyer) later elaborates that "she is unfit merchandise". Unfortunately, this aspect of the plot is not developed. Jeffrey Hunter steals the show with his sympathetic and sensitive portrayal of Little Dog, a Cheyenne leader. He and Tanner become friends, and their friendship is one of the memorable elements in this film. Little Dog is proud to be a Cheyenne. He is torn between loyalty to his father, Chief Broken Hand (played by Eduard Franz), and his warrior code. In the end it becomes a choice between giving up his heritage to walk the White Man's road and dying well. The choice isn't as obvious as it seems. Little Dog's friend American Horse (played by Hugh O'Brian) has the opportunity to make the same choice and blows it.
This film's portrayal of the Native American tragedy is both sympathetic and different. Tanner tells the Colonel (played by John Lund) at the beginning that he has no feeling about Indians. He is indifferent. Ann makes her sympathies clear at the start. "I feel sorry for them," she says and she and Tanner watch the tribes as they prepare to sign a treaty giving up their lands. Ultimately, Tanner's friendship with Little Dog gives him a new perspective. Unlike "Devil's Doorway", another film which works hard to present the Native American view of the winning of the West, this film's ending is more upbeat. I still haven't been able to force myself to watch all of "Devil's Doorway".
Although marriages between Whites and Indians were not unusual in the real West, they had a difficult time surviving in the morality of films of the 40's and 50's. This film is one of the first in which a White character marries an Indian girl. Most Westerns of the time did not permit such relationships to become permanent. Paget's character in "Broken Arrow" is tragically killed. Similar violent endings terminate relationships in "Drum Beat", "Rock Island Line" and "Across the Wide Missouri". In "The Far Horizons" the Native American character ends the relationship by returning to her people so that one of the lead characters can marry a White woman. Dewey Martin's character in "The Big Sky" marries an Indian woman, but he has to make a choice. Will he return to the settlements where there is no place for her or will he live with the Blackfeet? Ultimately, he chooses Indian life. If the film's script had included part two of Guthrie's novel, we would see that this relationship was ultimately the victim of tragedy as well. Tanner's decision in this film to marry the Indian woman and live in the White world is truly unusual for films of the time.
It is the friendship between Tanner and Little Dog which makes the film worth watching. Wagner plays his relationship with Hunter's Little Dog with a lot more feeling and credibility than he does his romantic interest in Paget's character. Hunter's performance is a gem. Unlike Native American roles in so many other Westerns Hunter doesn't offer us the inane dialogue and dopey hand movements which we see too often in such roles. Although Tanner and Little Dog come from different worlds, their shared humanity is refreshingly realistic. It is ironic that their friendship becomes the catalyst for peace. Little Dog as a warrior is opposed to peace. "The treaty pen does not fit my hand", he jokes to Tanner.
Despite its flaws, this film is worth watching for its creative story and its sympathetic and credible portrayal of the Native American experience. The emphasis on story over action is unusual for such a Western and with a little better script it would have worked. Even so, it works well enough for me. I have watched it many times and will continue to do so.
The production company sure got its money's worth by filming in Durango, Mexico. Those scenes of mass Indian migration, along with the massed warriors and cavalry troop of the climax are impressive as heck. I expect a lot of Mexican folks picked up a payday as a result. In fact, where this western really succeeds is in providing spectacle. The fort scenes plus the Indian encampments are both big and convincing.
The storyline may not be exactly fresh—some Indians wanting to make peace while others don't, plus the standard romantic interest—nonetheless, the individual stories are woven well into the larger conflict. Note too, how the screenplay (based on a true story) takes a generally sympathetic view of the Indians' plight— that is, being forced to move by treaty from their traditional lands. This was during a period when Hollywood was beginning to recognize Indians as human beings instead of convenient targets for repeating rifles.
Of course, an A-production requires a guaranteed box-office, and who better to bring in young folks than a leading heartthrob of the day, Robert Wagner. His rail thin frame may not look like John Wayne, but he still manages to convey the needed authority despite his pretty boy appearance. Also, Hunter remains physically impressive as the conflicted Little Dog.
I guess my only gripe is that everyone, Indians included, looks like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. I mean the costumes are so squeaky clean and perfectly fit that you'd never guess this is supposed to be the dusty frontier. Anyway, this TCF release remains an underrated cowboy-Indian flick, especially for all its impressive crowd scenes.
(In passing—good touch allowing ambient noises such as barking dogs, squawking birds, and crying kids, to color the treaty signing scene. Usually, Hollywood would remove these as distractions, but here they lend a noisy realistic touch.)
The storyline may not be exactly fresh—some Indians wanting to make peace while others don't, plus the standard romantic interest—nonetheless, the individual stories are woven well into the larger conflict. Note too, how the screenplay (based on a true story) takes a generally sympathetic view of the Indians' plight— that is, being forced to move by treaty from their traditional lands. This was during a period when Hollywood was beginning to recognize Indians as human beings instead of convenient targets for repeating rifles.
Of course, an A-production requires a guaranteed box-office, and who better to bring in young folks than a leading heartthrob of the day, Robert Wagner. His rail thin frame may not look like John Wayne, but he still manages to convey the needed authority despite his pretty boy appearance. Also, Hunter remains physically impressive as the conflicted Little Dog.
I guess my only gripe is that everyone, Indians included, looks like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. I mean the costumes are so squeaky clean and perfectly fit that you'd never guess this is supposed to be the dusty frontier. Anyway, this TCF release remains an underrated cowboy-Indian flick, especially for all its impressive crowd scenes.
(In passing—good touch allowing ambient noises such as barking dogs, squawking birds, and crying kids, to color the treaty signing scene. Usually, Hollywood would remove these as distractions, but here they lend a noisy realistic touch.)
- dougdoepke
- Sep 28, 2011
- Permalink
White Feather is a combination of the plots of both Broken Arrow and Cheyenne Autumn. It's the story of a romance between Robert Wagner and Indian princess Debra Paget set against the background of the surrender of the Cheyenne nation to the white man.
Wagner is part of delegation sent to the Cheyenne chief Eduard Franz to negotiate a treaty with the Cheyenne. Although Franz's son Jeffrey Hunter is for no surrender at any price, he and Wagner become friends. Wagner becomes more than friends with Hunter's sister Paget, something that arouses the old jealous green eye in Hugh O'Brian, an Cheyenne warrior who figures Paget's his.
Paget's not going to find it easy in the white world in any case. The post sutler Emile Meyer's not liking Indians in any case and even though his daughter Virginia Leith becomes friends with Paget, she's got a thing for Wagner herself.
White Feather is a sympathetic portrayal of the Cheyenne in the last days of a proud warrior nation. Best in the cast is Jeffrey Hunter, the man who won't give in and most of all won't surrender his pride.
John Lund as the post commander and Milburn Stone the civilian treaty negotiator are in the cast as well. White Feather is a fine western that does not get near enough acclaim.
Wagner is part of delegation sent to the Cheyenne chief Eduard Franz to negotiate a treaty with the Cheyenne. Although Franz's son Jeffrey Hunter is for no surrender at any price, he and Wagner become friends. Wagner becomes more than friends with Hunter's sister Paget, something that arouses the old jealous green eye in Hugh O'Brian, an Cheyenne warrior who figures Paget's his.
Paget's not going to find it easy in the white world in any case. The post sutler Emile Meyer's not liking Indians in any case and even though his daughter Virginia Leith becomes friends with Paget, she's got a thing for Wagner herself.
White Feather is a sympathetic portrayal of the Cheyenne in the last days of a proud warrior nation. Best in the cast is Jeffrey Hunter, the man who won't give in and most of all won't surrender his pride.
John Lund as the post commander and Milburn Stone the civilian treaty negotiator are in the cast as well. White Feather is a fine western that does not get near enough acclaim.
- bkoganbing
- Oct 3, 2008
- Permalink
- bsmith5552
- Jun 8, 2007
- Permalink
"White Feather" could be a very interesting and memorable movie. But it became only "average", though there are some interesting view points about portraying the proud Cheyenne. Director Webb and Writer Daves give a more authentic look than any other western of that time. Jeffrey Hunter plays "Little Dog" a humane and very proud son of a chief. He is by far the best actor in the movie.
John Lund gives a solid performance. Robert Wagner looks good as the young hero but his acting...?
Completely undeveloped is the interesting character of Ann (pale: Virginia Leith): She is in love with Wagner but also feels sympathy for the Indians and especially for Wagner´s future wife Debra Paget (who were much better in "Broken Arrow" five years before).
The final scene is far too melodramatic and too long. It destroys the complete impression of the movie.
Positive Aspects beside Hunter´s sensitive portray and the description of the Indians are the great landscape and costly, effective mass-scenes.
John Lund gives a solid performance. Robert Wagner looks good as the young hero but his acting...?
Completely undeveloped is the interesting character of Ann (pale: Virginia Leith): She is in love with Wagner but also feels sympathy for the Indians and especially for Wagner´s future wife Debra Paget (who were much better in "Broken Arrow" five years before).
The final scene is far too melodramatic and too long. It destroys the complete impression of the movie.
Positive Aspects beside Hunter´s sensitive portray and the description of the Indians are the great landscape and costly, effective mass-scenes.
- gregorhauser
- Nov 10, 2001
- Permalink
This is a truly epic Western - epic in the moral sense: It operates as a great ceremony, a funeral ode for a great people, and the Homeric nobility of their doomed warrior heroes. The whole film sweeps majestically along with the native Americans to the bitter end of their doomed civilisation, and all the distracting side-plots are merely adumbrated at the margins of the action. The U.S. Cavalry, too, is given its due meed of admiration for the honest professionalism of its best soldiers, and the finest representatives of its military tradition. In this, Webb's film is reminiscent of a John Ford Cavalry Western. But it has something else: The awareness of a 'great game' - almost in the sense this term was applied by the English to their Imperial adventure being played out with mutual honour and respect, even admiration and fondness, between the great rivals for possession of an entire Continent.
This is a truly great film, unblemished by the jittery special pleading of Hollywood that bespeaks the unacknowledged guilt of the American White Man. This is a sincere film - not a film of gestures: It is, as I began by saying, a grand Ceremony. And in the Ceremony is the aching sense of the loss of a Great Game which conferred greatness upon all who were brave enough to participate on equal terms.
This is a truly great film, unblemished by the jittery special pleading of Hollywood that bespeaks the unacknowledged guilt of the American White Man. This is a sincere film - not a film of gestures: It is, as I began by saying, a grand Ceremony. And in the Ceremony is the aching sense of the loss of a Great Game which conferred greatness upon all who were brave enough to participate on equal terms.
- philipdavies
- Oct 15, 2008
- Permalink
This is one of a number of 1950s Westerns which attempted to redress the balance by painting a fairly sympathetic view of the American Indian; even so, to spice up proceedings, we get a couple of rebels (second lead Jeffrey Hunter among them) opposing the impending peace treaty offered by the white man. Incidentally, though inspired by a factual incident, the film's plot line basically mingles elements from two contemporary examples of the genre BROKEN ARROW (1950; whose director, Delmer Daves, contributed to the script of this one) and ARROWHEAD (1953). With this in mind, the film doesn't really bring anything new to the table but, made with consummate Hollywood professionalism, the result is undeniably entertaining nonetheless.
Casting is adequate, too: apart from the afore-mentioned Hunter (though not exactly convincing as a redskin), we get Robert Wagner as an all-too-young Government agent hero who mediates between the two parties, Debra Paget (in a virtual reprise of her BROKEN ARROW role and who eventually defies her people by eloping with Wagner), John Lund as the experienced Cavalry officer in charge, Eduard Franz as Hunter's dignified chieftain father, Hugh O'Brian (as with Peter Graves in the same director's BENEATH THE 12-MILE REEF [1953], a viewing of which preceded this one, he's the heroine's brash but unloved intended), Virginia Leith as a more mature secondary love interest for Wagner, and Emile Meyer as her racist storekeeper father. By the way, I've just taped the first cinematic adaptation of Ira Levin's thrller A KISS BEFORE DYING (1956) off Cable TV which I noticed shares a remarkable number of cast and crew members with the title under review (not least its hunky stars)!
Being a largely outdoor film and in order to supply the appropriate grandeur, Lucien Ballard's widescreen photography is rather frustratingly limited to long or medium shots which, when screened on a normal-sized TV set, unfortunately leads to a certain detachment on the viewer's part; by the way, in the accompanying poster gallery on the DVD, the fact that patrons would be watching a "Cinemascope" production was deemed a bigger draw than even the stars involved! The film culminates with an unusual sort of showdown as Hunter and O'Brian face an entire cavalry unit (apparently an Indian battle custom which explains the film's title) however, the duo's come-uppance sees the personal intervention of Franz, who's not pleased with their 'brave' gesture; this is then followed by a lengthy (and, I'd even say, unwarranted) scene in which Wagner meticulously prepares Hunter for burial.
The Fox DVD includes quite a nice assortment of extras: these include a reproduction of the original pressbook (filled with amusingly irrelevant ballyhoo), a reasonably comprehensive photo gallery, and a number of trailers for the studio's other catalog entries in the genre (among them the desirable Victor Mature vehicle FURY AT FURNACE CREEK [1948] surprisingly narrated and carrying the personal endorsement of none other than Gregory Peck! and latterday black-and-white potboiler CONVICT STAGE [1965], which I'd never heard of myself and can't fathom why it was even deemed worthy of a DVD release).
Casting is adequate, too: apart from the afore-mentioned Hunter (though not exactly convincing as a redskin), we get Robert Wagner as an all-too-young Government agent hero who mediates between the two parties, Debra Paget (in a virtual reprise of her BROKEN ARROW role and who eventually defies her people by eloping with Wagner), John Lund as the experienced Cavalry officer in charge, Eduard Franz as Hunter's dignified chieftain father, Hugh O'Brian (as with Peter Graves in the same director's BENEATH THE 12-MILE REEF [1953], a viewing of which preceded this one, he's the heroine's brash but unloved intended), Virginia Leith as a more mature secondary love interest for Wagner, and Emile Meyer as her racist storekeeper father. By the way, I've just taped the first cinematic adaptation of Ira Levin's thrller A KISS BEFORE DYING (1956) off Cable TV which I noticed shares a remarkable number of cast and crew members with the title under review (not least its hunky stars)!
Being a largely outdoor film and in order to supply the appropriate grandeur, Lucien Ballard's widescreen photography is rather frustratingly limited to long or medium shots which, when screened on a normal-sized TV set, unfortunately leads to a certain detachment on the viewer's part; by the way, in the accompanying poster gallery on the DVD, the fact that patrons would be watching a "Cinemascope" production was deemed a bigger draw than even the stars involved! The film culminates with an unusual sort of showdown as Hunter and O'Brian face an entire cavalry unit (apparently an Indian battle custom which explains the film's title) however, the duo's come-uppance sees the personal intervention of Franz, who's not pleased with their 'brave' gesture; this is then followed by a lengthy (and, I'd even say, unwarranted) scene in which Wagner meticulously prepares Hunter for burial.
The Fox DVD includes quite a nice assortment of extras: these include a reproduction of the original pressbook (filled with amusingly irrelevant ballyhoo), a reasonably comprehensive photo gallery, and a number of trailers for the studio's other catalog entries in the genre (among them the desirable Victor Mature vehicle FURY AT FURNACE CREEK [1948] surprisingly narrated and carrying the personal endorsement of none other than Gregory Peck! and latterday black-and-white potboiler CONVICT STAGE [1965], which I'd never heard of myself and can't fathom why it was even deemed worthy of a DVD release).
- Bunuel1976
- Nov 6, 2008
- Permalink
- inspectors71
- Apr 12, 2016
- Permalink
I have seen this film many times over the years. I have always thought that it is a thoughtful slant on the usually savage indian theories that inhabit many western themed films. Intelligent Indians? Yes.
The major flaw to me in this film, besides the exclusion of the "Ann" charactor, is Robert Wagner's rather dull dialogue delivery.
The photography is glorious Technicolor, and Cinemascope, and shows some beautiful locations to their advantages. Being in Cinemascope, this film looks a bit odd on regular TV screens. You will enjoy it more if you can see a "letterboxed" version somewhere, or better yet, an actual scope print in a theatre.
I also hope that 20th Century-Fox decides to release the film on home video. I will buy a copy!
The major flaw to me in this film, besides the exclusion of the "Ann" charactor, is Robert Wagner's rather dull dialogue delivery.
The photography is glorious Technicolor, and Cinemascope, and shows some beautiful locations to their advantages. Being in Cinemascope, this film looks a bit odd on regular TV screens. You will enjoy it more if you can see a "letterboxed" version somewhere, or better yet, an actual scope print in a theatre.
I also hope that 20th Century-Fox decides to release the film on home video. I will buy a copy!
- fiascofilmsco
- Mar 8, 2001
- Permalink
As much as there are a lot of Indian characters. Some of them are even friendly. Sure they are not all savages anymore. But sadly, most if not all of the speaking parts are played by white actors speaking in broken Indianese. Maybe they got the non-speaking parts.
Some will call it progressive, taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back. But it's very distracting. Not only is the speaking style distracting, but the acting style, the sets, the mannerisms. Everything is old timey Hollywood Indian acting.
The story itself doesn't flow. It meanders as they argue about peace, 'play games', and get sidetracked by a love story. There is no flow to the story. It's not like there's a mission or a job that drives the story to its climax.
It's all very annoying to me. The melodramatic music, the over-acting, the stale directions, the rambling story, and Robert Wagner is just a little better than a pretty face.
Some will call it progressive, taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back. But it's very distracting. Not only is the speaking style distracting, but the acting style, the sets, the mannerisms. Everything is old timey Hollywood Indian acting.
The story itself doesn't flow. It meanders as they argue about peace, 'play games', and get sidetracked by a love story. There is no flow to the story. It's not like there's a mission or a job that drives the story to its climax.
It's all very annoying to me. The melodramatic music, the over-acting, the stale directions, the rambling story, and Robert Wagner is just a little better than a pretty face.
- SnoopyStyle
- Aug 30, 2013
- Permalink
As a "Western movie" buff, I am surprised that this film is not more familiar to aficionados of the genre. It is a near epic, classical film.
Of course, it suffers from the usual defect common to Westerns made in this era: The Native American leads are played by white actors and there isn't adequate time to fully develop all of the characters.
Still, it is a magnificent film. It has elements of Shane, which was made several years before, and of The Searchers, which was made a year after.
The sweep and the grandeur are very reminiscent of John Ford films. No expense was spared in cinematography, locations, and the number of extras that were employed. Hundreds of Native Americans were employed, including women and children of all ages. The number of mounted cavalry approximate the size of a cavalry regiment. There weren't that many mounted soldiers in John Ford's cavalry trilogy. And, it was all achieved without the aid of computer graphics.
The dialog is realistic and the story, itself, is based on a true incident. A young Robert Wagner is very believable and likable in his solid, understated role.
This film is enormously enjoyable. I remember seeing it in the 1950s at a drive-in theater, and if only I could do so again!
Of course, it suffers from the usual defect common to Westerns made in this era: The Native American leads are played by white actors and there isn't adequate time to fully develop all of the characters.
Still, it is a magnificent film. It has elements of Shane, which was made several years before, and of The Searchers, which was made a year after.
The sweep and the grandeur are very reminiscent of John Ford films. No expense was spared in cinematography, locations, and the number of extras that were employed. Hundreds of Native Americans were employed, including women and children of all ages. The number of mounted cavalry approximate the size of a cavalry regiment. There weren't that many mounted soldiers in John Ford's cavalry trilogy. And, it was all achieved without the aid of computer graphics.
The dialog is realistic and the story, itself, is based on a true incident. A young Robert Wagner is very believable and likable in his solid, understated role.
This film is enormously enjoyable. I remember seeing it in the 1950s at a drive-in theater, and if only I could do so again!
- classicsoncall
- Feb 26, 2017
- Permalink
Good western, it does show the Indians having some dignity. But don't let that lull you into the now too-typical "All Indians Good--White Man Evil". As far as what we did to them, it was truly appalling. But as the late historian Stephen Ambrose stated in his last book, "What should have happened?" And as far as stealing land goes, I once saw some Crow Indians talking about the Souix with great disgust on how they had stolen Crow land. Besides, people are still stealing land under the same principle-- eminent domain. happens every day. The US Supreme Court just upheld it last year.
Still, a good western worth watching. We can only guess at what the secret Ann has. I figured she must have had a baby out of wedlock, been caught with another man in bed, or something like it. It's kind of hinted at when we first see her, disheveled in the back of the store.
Still, a good western worth watching. We can only guess at what the secret Ann has. I figured she must have had a baby out of wedlock, been caught with another man in bed, or something like it. It's kind of hinted at when we first see her, disheveled in the back of the store.
The 1950's was a Decade that Promoted Conservative Consistency.
Resisting Change and Attacking Bold, Over-Imaginative Progress (unless you consider giving the Native-Americans a fair shake) and Held-Tight on the Status-Quo.
Bland was OK and was Considered Inoffensive and Unchallenging.
"White Feather", Over-Produced to a Fault, Eliminating the Edgy in Favor of a Format of Pristine Sterility.
Beautiful Images are a Requisite for Picture-Postcards, but Motion-Pictures Require More than Pleasing Eye-Candy.
Beneath the Pristine, Technicolor Display is a Story Told with as Little Action as Possible.
Telling its Tale with Conversations Replacing Physical Confrontations.
This is a Western...A Western About the Indian-Wars.
Holding Back the Inevitable Battles on the Plains while Substituting Run-Time for Inter-Racial Romance and Philosophical Discussions.
The Movie Drags, Distilled of Visceral Action, Replaced with Verbiage.
It Creaks Along Showcasing Wonderful Wide-Screen Sprawl and Vivid Color.
But, Overall its Dull as Dirt. Told with as Little Physicality as Possible.
The Handsome Cheyenne Lead Warriors are Forever Posing, while the Extra-Indians Loudly Whoop-It-Up Regularly, in Case the Audience is Asleep.
Lacking Any Meaningful Substance of Importance, the Film Fits Right In to the Political Philosophy of its Time.
Bur in the End the Anemic Film is a Bloodless, Empty, Bore that Looks Beautiful.
Resisting Change and Attacking Bold, Over-Imaginative Progress (unless you consider giving the Native-Americans a fair shake) and Held-Tight on the Status-Quo.
Bland was OK and was Considered Inoffensive and Unchallenging.
"White Feather", Over-Produced to a Fault, Eliminating the Edgy in Favor of a Format of Pristine Sterility.
Beautiful Images are a Requisite for Picture-Postcards, but Motion-Pictures Require More than Pleasing Eye-Candy.
Beneath the Pristine, Technicolor Display is a Story Told with as Little Action as Possible.
Telling its Tale with Conversations Replacing Physical Confrontations.
This is a Western...A Western About the Indian-Wars.
Holding Back the Inevitable Battles on the Plains while Substituting Run-Time for Inter-Racial Romance and Philosophical Discussions.
The Movie Drags, Distilled of Visceral Action, Replaced with Verbiage.
It Creaks Along Showcasing Wonderful Wide-Screen Sprawl and Vivid Color.
But, Overall its Dull as Dirt. Told with as Little Physicality as Possible.
The Handsome Cheyenne Lead Warriors are Forever Posing, while the Extra-Indians Loudly Whoop-It-Up Regularly, in Case the Audience is Asleep.
Lacking Any Meaningful Substance of Importance, the Film Fits Right In to the Political Philosophy of its Time.
Bur in the End the Anemic Film is a Bloodless, Empty, Bore that Looks Beautiful.
- LeonLouisRicci
- Sep 27, 2021
- Permalink
Looked at this on TV as just another western but found myself admiring the camera-work, scenery and performances. Though the direction was at times unexciting, the story was well told and dignified by a good performance by Wagner, so very handsome that it is no wonder the young squaw wants her first kiss with him. Jeffery Hunter, so overlooked but always worth watching, looking incredibly fit (sad to think he died just 4 years later) gave a very strong performance as the head-strong son of the chief, (reminds me of Sal Mineo in Cheyenne Autumn (same story?)) who rides around with Hugh O Brian (Wyatt Earp as an native American!). at the end the scenes between Wagner and Hunter are poignant and stay with you. The sad face of the chief says it all. The film was just a bit overlong and drags in parts which meant I missed bits that I should not have done, but there are some magnificent scenery and cavalry and Indian charges.
- david.clarke
- Jul 19, 2005
- Permalink
White Feather might be a progressive western for its time. The main speaking native American roles are played by white actors.
Josh Tanner (Robert Wagner) is involved in a prospective peace pact with the Cheyenne Indians in Wyoming in the 1870s. The Cheyenne will agree to leave their hunting grounds. However a few natives are not happy with the treaty being negotiated.
The feather in the works is when when Appearing Day (Debra Paget) falls for Tanner causing friction.
The story treads a similar ground with other movies such as Broken Arrow. It goes for a sympathetic portrayal of the Cheyennes.
The director makes good use of the location shooting in Durango, Mexico with some epic looking tribe scenes. The film is rather leaden and weary. By the end it is all rather trite.
Josh Tanner (Robert Wagner) is involved in a prospective peace pact with the Cheyenne Indians in Wyoming in the 1870s. The Cheyenne will agree to leave their hunting grounds. However a few natives are not happy with the treaty being negotiated.
The feather in the works is when when Appearing Day (Debra Paget) falls for Tanner causing friction.
The story treads a similar ground with other movies such as Broken Arrow. It goes for a sympathetic portrayal of the Cheyennes.
The director makes good use of the location shooting in Durango, Mexico with some epic looking tribe scenes. The film is rather leaden and weary. By the end it is all rather trite.
- Prismark10
- Nov 30, 2018
- Permalink
- januszlvii
- Nov 20, 2018
- Permalink
None of the film was believable from the start. The white actors playing Indian were so pale they were almost glow in the dark. Debra Paget is not just too fair skinned to be believable, she's also wearing obvious lipstick and mascara.
The wigs were laughable as well, a lot of horsehair braids. Add to that feathers that seemed obviously plastic and buckskin that obviously wasn't.
There were plenty of Native actors they should have used. Spare us the "of that time" excuse. Jay Silverheels played Tonto in the Lone Ranger eight years before this. Gunsmoke often had whole casts of Natives playing Natives. The first Natives to play Natives were way back in the 1910s, over 50 years before.
Another reviewer pointed out the colonists weren't that accurate looing either. Robert Wagner had an obvious blow dried pompadour.
The love story was not just ridiculous, it was offensive Pocahontas imitating. Native women falling all over the white guy for no reason, and somehow the Native men are to blame.
The only reason not to rate this film a 1 is because there is a message of tolerance in it. But the way it was delivered completely undercuts it.
The wigs were laughable as well, a lot of horsehair braids. Add to that feathers that seemed obviously plastic and buckskin that obviously wasn't.
There were plenty of Native actors they should have used. Spare us the "of that time" excuse. Jay Silverheels played Tonto in the Lone Ranger eight years before this. Gunsmoke often had whole casts of Natives playing Natives. The first Natives to play Natives were way back in the 1910s, over 50 years before.
Another reviewer pointed out the colonists weren't that accurate looing either. Robert Wagner had an obvious blow dried pompadour.
The love story was not just ridiculous, it was offensive Pocahontas imitating. Native women falling all over the white guy for no reason, and somehow the Native men are to blame.
The only reason not to rate this film a 1 is because there is a message of tolerance in it. But the way it was delivered completely undercuts it.
- educated_indio
- Jun 14, 2022
- Permalink
I have to agree that this movie was made well before its time. I can't believe this is not on video yet. Somebody at 20th Century Fox should be looking into bringing this back on video. Out of all the movies that deals with Political Correctness, this should make the native American feel proud of their heritage, and history, because this movie shows just how bold, bright and smart the indians were without a lot of bloodshed, and it doesn't show them running around like renegades. I felt good after leaving the theatre, because this movie showed indian strength and how brave and smart they are as a proud people.
This is not the typical "Calvery-to-the rescue" movie with the indians getting slaughtered and defeated. This time the indians win, but with smarts instead of bow and arrows. It showed that you can WIN in sheer numbers and strength, without a shot being fired. If they can put Spartacas on video, then they MUST put "White feather" on video. Are you listening 20th Century Fox?
Thanks, Joe (Tough Crust)
This is not the typical "Calvery-to-the rescue" movie with the indians getting slaughtered and defeated. This time the indians win, but with smarts instead of bow and arrows. It showed that you can WIN in sheer numbers and strength, without a shot being fired. If they can put Spartacas on video, then they MUST put "White feather" on video. Are you listening 20th Century Fox?
Thanks, Joe (Tough Crust)
Robert Wagner( Josh Tanner) was climbing up the ladder of success in this movie and gave an excellent performance along with Debra Paget(Appearing Day) and even Noah Berry, Jr.(Lt. Ferguson)(son of the famous Wallace Berry of the 1930's and 40's) The photography was fantastic and the plot was not just one of those typical Western films. In many ways, this picture made you feel very sorry for the Native Americas of this country who lost their wonderful land and Buffalo and had to locate South in very barren lands. Try to catch this movie on TV and you will definitely enjoy the youthful face of Robert Wagner along with great actors and a wonderfully made film of 1955!