User Reviews

A very different and interesting western. The subject is the creation of a Sioux Indian reservation. The Indians concerned had lived in the Black Hills of South Dakota. While they are trying to survive on the new reservation, they need to buy some cattle because they can't "eat grass." The movie concerns the opposition of the ranchers who had previously owned/used the reservation areas, who poison the water, commit murder, etc. Another interesting plot line is the young Indian girl whose father was white and sent money to the tribe for years to take care of the girl. When the Indians find a trail drive that will sell them the cattle,they run into heavy opposition from the whites. Only the Indian agent and the sheriff, and the cattle driver, try to help the Indians. This is an aspect of western history that is not widely known or discussed. It is worth trying to gain an understanding of the beginnings of the reservations, and of the Indians themselves.

This film essentially begins with 4 cowboys attempting to poison an important water source used by a small tribe of Sioux Indians who had recently been relocated to that area by the U. S. government. The leader of the cowboys is a man named "Sigrod Swanson" (David Brian) and, along with his 3 sons, feel that the land belongs to them--and they don't care whether innocent people die because of their actions. However, just as Sigrod is in the process of pouring the liquid into the pond, some other cowboys ride up to confront him about it. Unfortunately, they arrive a little too late because, hiding nearby is a small group of Sioux who, upon seeing Sigrod poisoning the pond, open fire upon all of them. To that effect, although they succeed in mortally wounding one of the men, the person they shoot just happens to be the agent responsible for their health and welfare. Not only that, but when the Sioux eventually retreat, an attractive woman named "Eetay-O-Wanee" (May Wynn) is recognized and subsequently held accountable--even though she was there attempting to prevent hostilities in the first place. So, unaware of this fact, all kinds of problems arise when she subsequently tries to buy cattle in town from an honest cowboy named "Bob Garth" (William Bishop). Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this film turned out to be somewhat better than I initially expected. Admittedly, the movie is somewhat dated, but even so, I enjoyed it for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Eetay-O-Wahnee (May Wynn, the Caine Mutiny) is a white squaw raised by a Native American tribe. Not knowing her true father, the secret is revealed when he wills her half of his land on his deathbed. A ruthless landowner (David Brian, Intruder in the Dust), however, will do anything to keep Eetay-O-Wahnee and her tribe from getting even an acre of the land.

Very good western with a sympathetic attitude towards native Americans. It's quite a different western and hasn't has much of trappings of the usual cowboy vs Indians - it's not loaded with action but has more drama, a fast moving plot and some good dialogue, all that makes this Ray Navarro directed western quite gripping. There's good performances by May Wynn, William Bishop, George Keymas as a hothead native, Brian Keith as an obnoxious racist rancher and the rest of the cast. Check out the fight between Bishop and Brian - it's quite brutal fisticuffs that lasts a while, and unusually the hero doesn't come out on top. The ending is quite fiery.