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Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- Fugitives
- Katharine Ross Films
- Native Americans
- Race Relations and Racism
- Robert Blake Films
- Robert Redford Films
- Sheriffs and Marshals
- Susan Clark Films
- Westerns
Review:
Black-listed writer-director Abraham Polonsky finally returned (legally and formally) to his craft with this adaptation of Harry Lawton’s novel — based on a real-life event — about a “Native American named Willie Boy and his run-in with the [white man’s] law in 1909 in Banning, California, United States.”
The fact that neither New Jersey-born Blake (nee Michael Gubitosi) nor Katharine Ross are Native actors is clearly problematic; within those constraints, however, Polonsky and his team do a reasonably good job presenting ongoing power tensions between Indians and white people, including white saviorism as embodied by Susan Clark’s do-gooding “reservation superintendent”.
Unfortunately, Redford apparently did not have a good experience on set; according to TCM’s article:
He had issues with both the direction and the script, which he felt portrayed Indians unrealistically. “Polonsky had Indians talking like characters out of some of his thirties films,” Redford said. “Some of it really made me cringe when I read it.” Polonsky counter-attacked by claiming Redford’s emerging star ego made him take unfair swipes at the picture. “Redford was a big supporter of my movie until everyone started saying how wonderful Robert Blake was,” the director said, ignoring the fact that Redford had fought for Blake to play the part when it became obvious that the studio would not hire a real Native American. “He was jealous of the Indian, so now he hates the movie.”
Ah, Hollywood drama. The resulting film is nonetheless a compelling story attempting to show “The West’s Last Famous Manhunt” — and while the factual outcomes are contested (this video provides an alternative, Native-centered account of how things actually transpired), Blake’s performance is top notch and well worth a look.
Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:
- Robert Blake as Willie
- Conrad Hall’s cinematography
- Dave Grusin’s score
Must See?
Yes, for Blake’s performance and as one of far-too-few films by Polonsky.
Categories
- Important Director
- Noteworthy Performance(s)
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