Taza, Son of Cochise

Not all 3d movies are filmed having in mind that 3d technique requires specific camera movements and well adjusted settings to shine. But Douglas Sirk, a consumated director did not make that mistake. Just watch the opening sequence with an indian on a horse standing in front of the deep immensity of the canyon at Arches National Monument Park in 3d and glorious technicolor. Breathtaking. The story -almost totally fictionized- turns pale before it but still is a nice entertainment. Jeff Chandler, who played Cochise in Broken Arrow and The battle at apache pass reprise the role uncredited at the beginning of the film, passing the leadership to his older son Taza. The story runs along to explain how indians are put aside in a reservation with many discontent trying to sublevate and others -guided by Taza- trying to preserve a peace difficult to mantain due to white man's rigid mentality. Imperative to watch it in 3d to enjoy the visual values of this film.

Maybe someone knows something more about this: I once read part of an interview with Rock Hudson in which he said that Taza, Son of Cochise was "one of the great tongue-in-cheek westerns of all time." He didn't pursue the pint, so I'm not sure what it is that's tongue-in-cheek about the film. However, Hudson did say that he and Sirk and company had a great time making it. I'd love to find a video of this seldom-seen film and check it out, but perhaps someone has an inkling?

Universal joined the parade of film studios that wanted to cash in on the popularity of Indian chiefs during the 1950s. This western followed the familiar formula of war and peace, reservation vs. warpath story lines, trigger happy soldiers and renegade Indians. Rock Hudson stars as the obedient, peace-loving son of Cochise in this Arizona saga but his brother opposes the chief's death-bed wish and schemes with other Indians to break free to raid and plunder. That is essentially the plot here, with nothing new to offer fans of this genre. The movie has enough action and scenic vistas to maintain interest but also looks like it was filmed on a shoestring budget. Hudson and Barbara Rush make a fetching couple and the supporting cast is good but the film lacks the polish of other Universal westerns of this period.

Rock Hudson, Jeff Chandler, Rex Reason, Ian MacDonald, Barbara Rush...all not exactly American-Indian sounding names! Yet, all these folks are all painted up in "Taza, Son of Cochise" to play just such roles--which represents the single biggest problem with this movie. Not only aren't they Indians, they hardly look like them and give the film a certain silliness you can't get past. And, even if the actors had done great jobs in their parts (which they hadn't), this isn't enough to overcome this problem. However, for me this is EXACTLY why I watched the film--because it was so unbelievably cast! Yes folks, I AM a glutton for punishment. And, is there something worth watching here?

The film begins with Chief Cochise's death. His son, Taza (Hudson), vows to keep the peace--whereas his hot-headed son, Naiche (Reason), is determined to destroy the white folks. However, after their big showdown in which Taza kicks the snot out of him, some other renegades sneak in and set Naiche free. So, it's up to our hero, Taza, to find his wicked brother and maintain the peace. But even when he does, it might be too late for him and his people--especially when Geronimo is sent to live on Taza's reservation.

As for the rest of the film, it's a real mixed bag. On one hand, the film is gorgeous--with a fantastic location shoot in Utah as well as terrific music. So the film clearly had a nice budget and it's obvious the studio gave director Douglas Sirk the go ahead to make a quality film. However, the film also suffers from some downright awful dialog--dialog that often makes the 'Indians' sound like idiots. The worst of this often occurred with love scenes--which were among the least romantic in film history. Overall, the film is watchable but silly--and certainly not among the best or worst of the genre.

By the way, I wonder if this film was originally planned as a 3-D movie. This is because often punches, spears, giant rocks and whips are tossed directly AT the camera--like you'd see in a 3-D picture. Considering it came out in 1954, this is awfully likely. Also, historically speaking the movie is a mish-mash of facts and pure bunk.

Beware folks, because you deal here with the only western that director Douglas Sirk will ever give to us. But he has for this western his fetish actor Rock Hudson, so he is not totally alone in unknown territory. This is an agreeable piece of work, not worse nor better than other Universal westerns of this period. George Sherman could have done it too, and in the very same manner. By chance, Jeff Chandler, who played Cochise in THE BROKEN ARROW - for Twentieth Century Fox - was in the meantime "transfered" to Universal Studios, so it was easy for the production to use him as a dying Cochise in the beginning. And this is not a spoiler !!!!! Rock Hudson is OK, it also could have been worse. Good western.