Contrary to the title, Kirk Douglas's character in The Indian Fighter is on pretty friendly terms with the Indians as he trades and negotiates between them and the cowboys. One of many Oregon Trail movies, this one pins cowboys against Indians in an age-old, dated, racist western.
In true Hollywood fashion, Elsa Martinelli, an Italian, was cast as the Indian love interest so audiences wouldn't feel uncomfortable seeing a mixed-race couple on the screen. Kirk Douglas repeatedly pursues her, refusing to take no for an answer. He corners her, tries to trick her, and even pounces on her on occasion-how are we supposed to be on board with this "romance"? Finally, after a big kiss-a-roo in the water, Elsa looks up at him and grins. I thought it would be a ruse, leading him to think she's changed her mind so that she could stab him or punch him and make another escape. Instead, she wraps her arms around him and kisses him back. As this terribly-and literally-forced romance is the most memorable part of the movie, it's not really worth watching unless you absolutely love westerns. I only watched it because I'm a Kirk Douglas fan, but he wasn't enough to save the movie.
In true Hollywood fashion, Elsa Martinelli, an Italian, was cast as the Indian love interest so audiences wouldn't feel uncomfortable seeing a mixed-race couple on the screen. Kirk Douglas repeatedly pursues her, refusing to take no for an answer. He corners her, tries to trick her, and even pounces on her on occasion-how are we supposed to be on board with this "romance"? Finally, after a big kiss-a-roo in the water, Elsa looks up at him and grins. I thought it would be a ruse, leading him to think she's changed her mind so that she could stab him or punch him and make another escape. Instead, she wraps her arms around him and kisses him back. As this terribly-and literally-forced romance is the most memorable part of the movie, it's not really worth watching unless you absolutely love westerns. I only watched it because I'm a Kirk Douglas fan, but he wasn't enough to save the movie.