Runtime: 115 minutes
Directed by: Ralph Nelson
Starring: Candice Bergen, Peter Strauss, Donald Pleasence, John Anderson, Jorge Rivero
From: AVCO Embassy
I’m closing a loop started about 3 decades ago. The details won’t be elaborated upon but one day, my parents discussed this film (which I wasn’t familiar with); apparently both of them saw this revisionist Western. The talk was concerning an infamous conclusion-horribly graphic-where (and this spoiler has to be given; then again, there’s an opening crawl which notifies the audience the climax will be “graphic” and who is targeted) a massacre against Native Americans occurred, including women and children. Unfortunately, this event was based on a true atrocity in 1864… the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado where troops led by a Chivington slaughtered an entire village filled with the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes… especially the women and children.
By the way, It was just a coincidence that the title song was sung by Buffy Sainte-Marie. More on her at the end, and why this famous indigenous (well, claimed indigenous) Canadian singer made the news this past weekend.
It was before the end of the first act that the revisionist attitude was apparent. The Cheyenne decimate a convoy of troops. Only Peter Strauss (wearing a blue uniform) and Candice Bergen (recently rescued from being held captive by the Cheyenne) survived. The soldier is the emotional one of the pair while the lady is logical and pragmatic, curses like a soldier, BELCHES, and notes how “the white man” invaded Native American land. To address the elephant in the room, some people in recent years get quite triggered over “strong and powerful females”… no comment on that movement but such ideas were revolutionary when they filmed this in 1969 so hopefully people don’t look at the movie with a 2025 viewpoint.
In any case, it was a surprise that much of the first half was just Strauss and Bergen attempting to reach Fort Reunion, many miles away. They then meet Donald Pleasence as ISAAC Q. CUMBER—that name is explained as “my daddy had a sense of humor.” His character was as colorful as you’d expect from someone named Isaac Q. Cumber. It’s only Act 3 that Fort Reunion is shown, then the massacre is shown. There’s some bloody moments in the Native American attack on the troops but it’s no comparison to the finale. Much of the film is light as it’s the two unexpected leads interacting w/ each other.
The climax is even more starting in that context. On its own, the content is still a shock. Women and children are beheaded, limbs are blown off, shot in the head, impaled… and there’s also sexual assault. The film’s an obvious Vietnam War allegory so the finale is also comparable to the similar My Lai Massacre in that country.
That scene is effective in its visceral power and shocking the viewer. Whether it was needed or not to tell its story—that is for you and your tastes to decide. This finale elevates the movie as a whole to a pretty good effort. IRL, there was an uproar in the 1860’s over the Sand Creek Massacre; Chivington’s political aspirations went out the window but otherwise wasn’t really punished for his role… heck, there’s a town nearby in Colorado named after him.
As for Buffy Sainte-Marie… she is a famous Canadian indigenous singer who has drawn attention to the First Nations people in Canada and received an order from that country’s government. Well, just two days ago that was rescinded—the Canadian news program The Fifth Estate did an investigation where it was revealed that she was actually a white woman from Massachusetts named Beverly! That was a big deal in the Great White North. I’ve seen that program; the claim her family made as to why they did not reveal this information to the public… according to them, she was going to utter a vile lie about her own family if they told the truth--it'll be too triggering for some if I specifically mention what it was. My opinion of her has been rather low ever since.
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