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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
According to this film, the only good Apache is a dead one!
In the 1950s, westerns changed a bit in how they treated the various natives tribesmen...and for the better. Quite a few films showed these folks as victims of White society or the Cavalry or at least tried to humanize them. Well, "Arrowhead" is certainly NOT one of these more enlightened films about Native Americans....as it clearly sends the message that the only good Apache are dead ones! It's virulence is pretty striking when you see the film.
When the story begins, the US Army out west is about to conclude a peace with the Apache and an offshoot of the tribe, the Chiracahua. However, their Chief Scout, Ed Bannon (Charlton Heston), knows better...the Apache cannot be trusted and so he kills their peace party! When the peace does fall apart, the Army blames Bannon's actions...but Bannon insists the Apache and Chiracahua would have attacked anyway and he was just saving them the trouble of killing them later! Not surprisingly, pretty much everyone in the film hates Bannon.
The truth is that the Apaches were fierce warriors and were feared by many neighboring tribes. They were not especially friendly nor 'nice'. But the film seems to be saying all of them were awful and really helps you understand nothing about why they were especially angry and dangerous at this time. In other words, the film is missing context. Now I am NOT saying films like this should be banned or ignored...I hate this and would rather be offended by films like "Arrowhead" than living in a world where nothing could possibly offend. Plus, on a superficial way, it IS an entertaining film. Charlton Heston is entertaining as Bannon...a man who seems perpetually grouchy (or perhaps constipated). Brian Keith is exceptional...and I think his acting was probably the best in the film. As for Jack Palance, he's very good and LOOKS like an Apache but is Ukrainian by ethnicity! Even among the more enlightened (and less, like this one), the American Indian leaders in films were nearly always played by white guys (such as Jeff Chandler or Rock Hudson or Iron Eyes Cody). Worth seeing but pretty nasty in its sensibilities.
When the story begins, the US Army out west is about to conclude a peace with the Apache and an offshoot of the tribe, the Chiracahua. However, their Chief Scout, Ed Bannon (Charlton Heston), knows better...the Apache cannot be trusted and so he kills their peace party! When the peace does fall apart, the Army blames Bannon's actions...but Bannon insists the Apache and Chiracahua would have attacked anyway and he was just saving them the trouble of killing them later! Not surprisingly, pretty much everyone in the film hates Bannon.
The truth is that the Apaches were fierce warriors and were feared by many neighboring tribes. They were not especially friendly nor 'nice'. But the film seems to be saying all of them were awful and really helps you understand nothing about why they were especially angry and dangerous at this time. In other words, the film is missing context. Now I am NOT saying films like this should be banned or ignored...I hate this and would rather be offended by films like "Arrowhead" than living in a world where nothing could possibly offend. Plus, on a superficial way, it IS an entertaining film. Charlton Heston is entertaining as Bannon...a man who seems perpetually grouchy (or perhaps constipated). Brian Keith is exceptional...and I think his acting was probably the best in the film. As for Jack Palance, he's very good and LOOKS like an Apache but is Ukrainian by ethnicity! Even among the more enlightened (and less, like this one), the American Indian leaders in films were nearly always played by white guys (such as Jeff Chandler or Rock Hudson or Iron Eyes Cody). Worth seeing but pretty nasty in its sensibilities.
helpful•77
- planktonrules
- Aug 29, 2021
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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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