Chief Crazy Horse (1955)

This biography of the famous Lakota Sioux war chief is told entirely from the Indian viewpoint.

Director:

George Sherman

Writers:

Franklin Coen (screenplay), Gerald Drayson Adams (screenplay),

Stars:

Victor Mature, Suzan Ball, John Lund

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Victor Mature	...	Crazy Horse
Suzan Ball	...	Black Shawl
John Lund	...	Major Twist
Ray Danton	...	Little Big Man
Keith Larsen	...	Flying Hawk
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Worm
David Janssen	...	Lt. Colin Cartwright
Robert Warwick	...	Spotted Tail
James Millican	...	General Crook
Morris Ankrum	...	Red Cloud
Donald Randolph	...	Aaron Cartwright
Robert F. Simon	...	Jeff Mantz
James Westerfield	...	Caleb Mantz
Stuart Randall	...	Old Man Afraid
Pat Hogan	...	Dull Knife

Storyline

When young Crazy Horse, of whom great things were predicted, wins his bride, rival Little Big Man goes to villainous traders with evidence of gold in the sacred Lakota burial ground. Of course, a new gold rush starts despite all treaties, and Crazy Horse becomes military leader of his people. Initial Indian victories lead to the inevitable result. Uniquely, all is told from the Indian perspective.

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Plot Keywords:

gold | treaty | stabbed in the back | knife fight | friendship | 

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Taglines:

GREAT SAGA OF THE FIGHTING SIOUX... (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Biography | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Speer der Rache

Filming Locations:

777 Ranch, Hermosa, South Dakota, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Crazy Horse was an Oglala Sioux.

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Goofs

In some scenes General Crook has three stars in each shoulder strap, indicating the rank of lieutenant general, when he was only a brigadier general in 1876-1877. Possibly Crook's Sioux nickname of "three stars" - influenced the costume designer.

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Quotes

Gen. Crook: Why hunt buffalo? We're giving your people what they need.
Chief Crazy Horse: But with my people, the buffalo hunt isn't the same as that with white. We don't hang the buffalo's head on a pole in the lodge and boast of our hunting skill. By eating his flesh, our flesh becomes strong. His skin makes our clothing, his bones our arrows, his hair makes the ropes for our horses. Even the covering on our feet comes from him. The buffalo is truly our friend... sent to give us life. Take this hunt from us and we are no ...

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Connections

Featured in Legends of the West (1992)

User Reviews

Victor Mature's tragic warrior of the prophecy

This fine western traces the life of the Sioux warrior, from the time when he received his vision as a boy, his battles against red and white enemies, and finishes with his betrayal and murder by a fellow Lakota. Victor Mature is good as the Lakota warrior who is one of the most tragic figures in western history. The film examines the petty disputes among the Indians who could not present a unified front in the face of white westward expansion, especially the rush to the Black Hills in search of gold. The film shows two of Crazy Horse's famous battles, the Fetterman and Rosebud engagements to good effect but the Custer fight gets only a brief mention and is glossed over almost as an afterthought. The widescreen CinemaScope is excellent and bathes the beautiful landscapes of the Black Hills and the Badlands with beautiful color. The music by Frank Skinner is a dramatic and heroic accompaniment to a fine film that pays tribute to a great American.