I am not a big fan of Richard Dix, but he really shines in this film. He plays an American Native Indian who struggles between his loyalty to his tribe and accepting the white man and their ways. He also has fallen for a white school teacher who is kind to him.
The film is almost 2 hours and does a great job of pointing out the tribulations the Indians suffered at the hands of the settlers and the American government. It does a great job in making you think about how they were unfairly treated.
The film also is well acted and moves at a fast enough pace to keep you vested in what is going to happen next. There is a bad guy with Noah Beery, there is a love story with Lois Wilson, and there is a nice background to how the Indians got where they are now (1925). Even when the Great War comes and the Indians give all they can for supplies, horses, and join up to fight, they are treated like dirt when they return. Nothing changes.
Lois Wilson is perfect in her role as the sympathetic and understanding female lead.
There were moments of tears at the end. At one point, a sergeant points out the overall theme of the film in his simple line as he watches the Indians go off to fight for America in The Great War: "Pitiful -- and tremendous! Riding away to fight for the white man!"
A Classy Classic Western that you will enjoy seeing.
The film is almost 2 hours and does a great job of pointing out the tribulations the Indians suffered at the hands of the settlers and the American government. It does a great job in making you think about how they were unfairly treated.
The film also is well acted and moves at a fast enough pace to keep you vested in what is going to happen next. There is a bad guy with Noah Beery, there is a love story with Lois Wilson, and there is a nice background to how the Indians got where they are now (1925). Even when the Great War comes and the Indians give all they can for supplies, horses, and join up to fight, they are treated like dirt when they return. Nothing changes.
Lois Wilson is perfect in her role as the sympathetic and understanding female lead.
There were moments of tears at the end. At one point, a sergeant points out the overall theme of the film in his simple line as he watches the Indians go off to fight for America in The Great War: "Pitiful -- and tremendous! Riding away to fight for the white man!"
A Classy Classic Western that you will enjoy seeing.