Watching this movie on the 109th Anniversary of Chief Josephs death added a profound aspect to the experience. I had not seen this movie until a friend sent me a DVD that featured several other oldish Westerns and, even though this disc's transfer quality is poorish, the script quality and sincere professional performances, helped make up for it. Opera singer turned actor Ned Romero, himself of Indian/Spanish decent, turns in a powerful role as the Nez Perce Native Indian, Chief Joseph, as do those playing members of his tribe. Impressive also is veteran performer James Whitmore, playing high profile union military man General Oliver Howard (a noble Republican and founder of Howard and Lincoln universities). While Howard's overall treatment of Joseph and his people left much to be desired - he was pretty much dictated to by a not so sympathetic Democrat, President Andrew Johnson (who tried to reverse some of the good works established by his Republican predecessor, Lincoln)
Sam Elliott is also impressive as the General's sympathetic Captain. This picture is obviously a made for TV movie but thankfully, has been treated to enough stylish design, editing and general production values (David L. Wolper) to keep it solidly watchable. Prolific composer Gerald Fried (Paths of Glory '57) adds adequate atmos with his score and some well composed photographic touches lift it above its station. This is just one story of the tragic treatment metered out to the Native American Indians - within many broken treaties, and allows us to look back at the sad beginnings of creating new lands.
From the look of the DVD Cover displayed on this IMDb page and the quality of some images uploaded on YouTube there might be a better film-to-disc transfer available, so for those about to purchase, check for this before buying.
Sam Elliott is also impressive as the General's sympathetic Captain. This picture is obviously a made for TV movie but thankfully, has been treated to enough stylish design, editing and general production values (David L. Wolper) to keep it solidly watchable. Prolific composer Gerald Fried (Paths of Glory '57) adds adequate atmos with his score and some well composed photographic touches lift it above its station. This is just one story of the tragic treatment metered out to the Native American Indians - within many broken treaties, and allows us to look back at the sad beginnings of creating new lands.
From the look of the DVD Cover displayed on this IMDb page and the quality of some images uploaded on YouTube there might be a better film-to-disc transfer available, so for those about to purchase, check for this before buying.