{"id":97943,"date":"2024-06-16T17:34:07","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T00:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=97943"},"modified":"2024-06-16T17:34:07","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T00:34:07","slug":"tell-them-willie-boy-is-here-1969","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=97943","title":{"rendered":"Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Nobody gives a damn what Indians do &#8212; nobody.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Poster-197x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-97944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Poster-197x300.png 197w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Poster-177x270.png 177w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Poster.png 607w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn early 20th century California, a sheriff (Robert Redford) searches for a young Pauite man (Robert Blake) who has killed the father of his girlfriend (Katharine Ross) in self-defense after returning to be with her.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fugitives<\/li>\n<li>Katharine Ross Films<\/li>\n<li>Native Americans<\/li>\n<li>Race Relations and Racism<\/li>\n<li>Robert Blake Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Redford Films<\/li>\n<li>Sheriffs and Marshals<\/li>\n<li>Susan Clark Films<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nBlack-listed writer-director Abraham Polonsky finally returned (legally and formally) to his craft with this adaptation of Harry Lawton&#8217;s novel &#8212; based on a real-life event &#8212; about a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tell_Them_Willie_Boy_Is_Here\">&#8220;Native American named Willie Boy and his run-in with the [white man&#8217;s] law in 1909 in Banning, California, United States.&#8221;<\/a> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross-1024x431.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"269\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-97950\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross-1024x431.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross-768x324.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross-604x254.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Ross.png 1296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The fact that neither New Jersey-born Blake (<em>nee <\/em>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&#8217;s do-gooding &#8220;reservation superintendent&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-97952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Susan-Clark.png 1294w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, Redford apparently did not have a good experience on set; according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/25196\/tell-them-willie-boy-is-here#articles-reviews?articleId=184944\">TCM&#8217;s article<\/a>:  <\/p>\n<blockquote><p>He had issues with both the direction and the script, which he felt portrayed Indians unrealistically. &#8220;Polonsky had Indians talking like characters out of some of his thirties films,&#8221; Redford said. &#8220;Some of it really made me cringe when I read it.&#8221; Polonsky counter-attacked by claiming Redford&#8217;s emerging star ego made him take unfair swipes at the picture. &#8220;Redford was a big supporter of my movie until everyone started saying how wonderful Robert Blake was,&#8221; 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. &#8220;He was jealous of the Indian, so now he hates the movie.&#8221; <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Ah, Hollywood drama. The resulting film is nonetheless a compelling story attempting to show &#8220;The West&#8217;s Last Famous Manhunt&#8221; &#8212; and while the factual outcomes are contested (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aSto0I3Ww0E\">this video<\/a> provides an alternative, Native-centered account of how things actually transpired), Blake&#8217;s performance is top notch and well worth a look.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Robert Blake as Willie<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2-1024x428.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-97948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2-1024x428.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2-604x252.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Blake2.png 1292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Conrad Hall&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio-1024x428.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-97947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio-1024x428.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio-604x252.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Redford-Trio.png 1298w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River-1024x425.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-97949\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River-1024x425.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River-768x319.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River-604x251.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tell-Them-Willie-Boy-Crossing-River.png 1305w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Dave Grusin&#8217;s score\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for Blake&#8217;s performance and as one of far-too-few films by Polonsky. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0065079\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/25196\/tell-them-willie-boy-is-here#articles-reviews?articleId=184944\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/tell-them-willie-boy-is-here\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Nobody gives a damn what Indians do &#8212; nobody.&#8221; Synopsis: In early 20th century California, a sheriff (Robert Redford) searches for a young Pauite man (Robert Blake) who has killed the father of his girlfriend (Katharine Ross) in self-defense after returning to be with her. 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&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=97943\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=97943"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97957,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97943\/revisions\/97957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=97943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=97943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=97943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}