Reprisal!

It was interesting to learn that the origin of the film Reprisal! was a novel set in the post World War II south and it had to do with racial prejudice against black people. One can easily see why Columbia Pictures did not want to do an adaption in that vein. That southern market even in the beginning of the civil rights era was still a potent force. Ergo the setting was changed to the old west and the object of prejudice were Indians.

Saying that Reprisal! is still a very powerful film and one hopes that in theaters in the south some people did get a more subtle message from the film. In a role similar to the one that Robert Taylor played in Devil's Doorway, Guy Madison plays a mixed racial individual who is passing for white because that's the only way he can own his own spread. He's bought a ranch that has been used by a trio of some loathsome brothers named Shipley played by Edward Platt, Michael Pate, and Wayne Mallory who have a bad hatred for the red man.

When Madison is accused of killing Mallory the remaining two Shipley brothers stir the town into a lynching fever. After that the truth comes out all around.

In fact Pate like many a redneck only carries his prejudice so far. He has the hots for Kathryn Grant and the future Mrs. Bing Crosby is quite the fetching woman here. I can see how this portion of the story translates into the pre-civil rights era culture in the deep south. But Grant likes Madison as does Felicia Farr daughter of the town newspaper editor Robert Burton.

Even changing the location Columbia Pictures still made a fine drama about the evils of racial prejudice. It holds up well today.

And this film review is dedicated to the people of Lancaster, New York who just changed their high school football team name from Redskins. A little viewing of this film and Devil's Doorway might give some of those who are still angry at the name change some understanding as to how offensive that name is.

I watched this film by accident, really, but it was actually very entertaining. The actor who played Guy Madison's grandfather was particularly good. I especially liked how the Native Americans were portrayed as human beings and not ruthless killers. This film was released in 1956, which shows a great effort for the producers to make such a film. The message is about unity and the human spirit. For that time period, I found the movie unique. It kept me watching. Plus, Madison has an interesting appeal as an actor because he never really made it big here in the United States. We know not all actors are great actors, and Madison wasn't phenomenal. However, he wasn't bad, either. So why wasn't he more of a major star? And even though I don't watch too many Westerns, I'd rather watch Madison than most of the other Western stars of that time. Like I said, interesting...

New ranch owner Frank Madden, half Indian but posing as white, arrives just as an all white jury finds the three white Shipley brothers who lynched three Indians innocent. There is soon trouble between Frank and the Shipleys who are using Frank's land to graze their cattle. When the brother of one of the Indian victims kills a Shipley, Frank is accused and put in jail. The Shipleys then organize a lynch mob and head for the jail.

Guy Madison delivers a great performance as a mixed race man caught in the middle, trying to act white though the only people showing him much kindness are from the race he wants to abandon. Pate and Platt are very good as two of the Indian-hating Shipley brothers. Pate's character is nearly as conflicted as Madison's, because he can't stay away from a pretty Indian girl (Kathryn Grant). Felicia Farr is excellent as a person who sympathetic to natives and falls in love with Madison.

This is tautly plotted, effective western that highlights prejudice. Don't expect wall to wall gunfights but a solidly told story that collates all the elements in a 70 minute running time. Good characterisation, cinematography and superb camera work is in display here.

Incredibly good story, denouncing racism against Native Americans - Indians - one of the earliest western to talk about this scheme, besides the great classics such as BROKEN ARROW of course. This story is excellent in terms of writing, story telling, avoiding clichés, but onlt spoiled by a foreseeable ending. What a surprise to have this George Sherman's film for Columbia instead of Universal, his usual home studio. Guy Madison plays right, good job, but not that terrific. I think this western is a bit underrated for its quality, it should be watched again. I love those Indians characters here, they attract so much empathy.

As Frank Madden, Guy Madison has a past more mysterious than Shane's. When he buys a ranch in the Midwest as part of a long-time dream to be a respected land owner, he encounters obstacles at every point.

George Marshall directs this B western with a master's touch. His handling of the mob scene, the near-lynching, the moving confrontation between Guy Madison and the Indian patriarch, and the final shootout are electrifying. Guy Madison gives one of his best performances in what is largely an unsympathetic role.

In 74 minutes this western makes a statement about prejudice against native Americans that is both moving and relevant today. A-budget pictures should be as good.