Dakota Incident

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.

Republic's Waning Years Brings Us this Colorful, Film Filled with Lamenting.

A Good Cast Sparked by Linda Darnell's Fiery-Red Dress and Equally Flammable Female Hubris, Full of Spunk and Preen.

Dale Robertson is the Laconic Anti-Hero with Help from Ward Bond, John Lund, Regis Toomey, Whit Bissell, and Skip Homier.

A Stagecoach Full of Talky Characters with Ward Bond Playing Against Type as a Pacifist Senator and a Host of Others who Readily Jabber.

The "Tru-Color '' Template Allows for a Surreal Look at Things that is Always Interesting and Skewed.

The Action is Moderate and Pedestrian with the Thirsty Bunch Pin-Downed in a Gully Without Water, and that Supplies Most of the Suspense.

It's Darnell's Show All the Way with the Passengers Bouncing Off Her Charming Attractions.

The Indians are Painted as War-Mongers (except by the Senator) Until a Twist Ending.

Slightly Above Average.

Worth a Watch.

A widely unknown strange little western with mindblowing colours (probably the same material as it was used in "Johnny Guitar", I guess "Trucolor" or something, which makes blood drips look like shining rubies), nearly surrealistic scenes with twisted action and characters. Something different, far from being a masterpiece, but there should be paid more attention to this little gem in western encyclopedias.

At least, from Republic pictures, we don't deal with a cabaret western, a music hall western, as were BELLE LE GRAND or JUBILEE TRAIL or one of those numerous semi - false - westerns that Republic pictures gave us in the forties and fifties. Westerns taking mostly place in burlesque atmosphere, with choregraphy, dancing, intrigue plots, more than Indians, outlaws, posse , sheriff. So, this one, directed by Lewis Foster, is taut, action packed, despite bland Dale Robertson's performance, as usual, about which poor Linda Darnell tries her best to do her best. It was hard for her to co star such a lousy actor; she deserved better. So, if you are a western buff, don't miss this one.

Dakota Incident is a curiosity for several reasons. It will be obvious from the start that it was made long before anyone ever thought of political correctness. Although, the Ward Bond character softens the edge with "maybe we can communicate with them, after all they're humans, too" type of dialogue. His part stands side-by-side with the preacher attemtping to communicate with the Martians in War of the Worlds. In fact, it's uncanny. The title is curious too. Use of the word "Incident" contributes an importance and sophistication to the film that probably didn't hurt boxoffice. The contrived assortment of characters and Linda Darnell's fancy dress and hat are wonderful dated touches that make Dakota Incident a cool western artifact from the mid-fifties.