IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1.6K
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Chief of Scouts Ed Bannon works for the US Army at Fort Clark, Texas and he dreams of aiding in bringing peace to the region, despite opposition from both the Army and the Apaches.Chief of Scouts Ed Bannon works for the US Army at Fort Clark, Texas and he dreams of aiding in bringing peace to the region, despite opposition from both the Army and the Apaches.Chief of Scouts Ed Bannon works for the US Army at Fort Clark, Texas and he dreams of aiding in bringing peace to the region, despite opposition from both the Army and the Apaches.
Frank DeKova
- Chief Chattez
- (as Frank de Kova)
Robert J. Wilke
- Sgt. Stone
- (as Robert Wilke)
James Anderson
- Jerry August
- (as Kyle James)
John Pickard
- John Gunther
- (as John M. Pickard)
Eric Alden
- Cavalryman
- (uncredited)
Rachel Ames
- Mrs. Kirk
- (uncredited)
Jim Burk
- Cavalryman
- (uncredited)
Rus Conklin
- Wakamaza
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe character "Ed Bannon" is partially based on Al Sieber, Chief of Scouts of the United States Army in the Southwest, according to the legend that appears at the end of the film, but there are several significant differences between Bannon and Sieber. The fictional Bannon was raised by Apaches, but Sieber was born in Germany (in 1844) and raised in New York. Bannon has an antipathy toward Native Americans, especially Apaches, which Sieber did not. Ironically, according to those who knew him, he didn't particularly like whites and preferred the company of Native Americans. Sieber, a Civil War veteran, became chief of scouts for the U.S. Army at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in 1870. He led the Apache scouts who helped to track down and capture Geronimo in Mexico, and reportedly survived 29 arrow and gunshot wounds during his life. In 1907, he was killed in an accident while working as the foreman of a Native American road-building crew. Sieber spoke German, English, Spanish, Apache, and at least one other Native American language. He mentored Tom Horn who was also a scout for the army and became multi-lingual under Sieber's tutelage.
- GoofsThere actually was a Ghost Dance movement; it was a religious revival of Native Americans in 1890, but it did not involve Apaches, who inhabited mainly the Southwest (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico). It was popular among the Lakota (Sioux) of the Northern Plains.
- Crazy creditsOpening card: To the General of the armies: Regarding the subject of recommendation of the Congressional Award... and in my opinion this man -- in constant disregard of his personal feelings and (as Chief of Scouts) repeatedly risking his life that others may be saved -- deserves to have his name rank with Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, Wm. F Cody and others whose unselfish service to this country can never be forgotten. Respectfully, George Crook, Brig. General, U.S. Army, May 7, 1886.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (2003)
Featured review
arrowhead
Like most racist films (or books, for that matter) that lack the saving graces of humor and/or ambiguity, this movie is a bloody bore. Charles Marquis Warren's screenplay, from W. R. Burnett's novel, is unspeakably bad (pun very much intended). Every scene in this very long film is, to a greater or lesser degree, (usually greater), given over to Indian scout Ed Bannon's discoursing on the evil, perfidy and downright odiousness of Apaches. Makes for rather repetitive, didactic viewing, in my opinion. And Warren the director is little better than Warren the adapter. Pace, as alluded to above in discussing the film's inordinate length, is quite deliberate and the battle scenes are sluggish, at best. Ironically, I admit to a prejudice where Warren is concerned since I feel that my favorite TV series, "Gunsmoke", didn't start to take off, both in quality and popularity, until Warren yielded to Norman Macdonnell as show runner. Still, I think the evidence is undeniable that this is one of your clunkier westerns and for that the director must take the biggest hit. Second biggest culprit is DP Ray Rennahan and his prosaic often out of focus camera. In short, the film looks as ugly as the stuff spewing from the main character's mouth. Which leads me to the acting which, unsurprisingly, since it boasts a cast of pros like Heston, Palance, Keith and Jurado, among others, is solid and saves this thing from a three star, D plus rating. Give it a C minus instead and hope that TCM doesn't show it too often.
PS...Sure is strange to see Milburn Stone in a Western sans shuffle, ear tugging, string tie or stethoscope.
PS...Sure is strange to see Milburn Stone in a Western sans shuffle, ear tugging, string tie or stethoscope.
helpful•30
- mossgrymk
- Sep 7, 2023
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,640,000
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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