The Tomahawk and the Cross (1956)
"Pillars of the Sky" (original title)

In Oregon Country, 1868, several tribes of Native Americans have been placed on a reservation north of the Snake River. Here Doctor Holden has built a church, and many of the tribes have ... See full summary »

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

Sam Rolfe (screenplay), Heck Allen (novel)

Stars:

Jeff Chandler, Dorothy Malone, Ward Bond

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Chandler	...	First Sgt. Emmett Bell
Dorothy Malone	...	Calla Gaxton
Ward Bond	...	Dr. Joseph Holden
Keith Andes	...	Capt. Tom Gaxton
Lee Marvin	...	Sgt. Lloyd Carracart
Sydney Chaplin	...	Timothy
Willis Bouchey	...	Col. Edson Stedlow
Michael Ansara	...	Kamiakin
Olive Carey	...	Mrs. Anne Avery
Charles Horvath	...	Sgt. Dutch Williams
Orlando Rodriguez	...	Malachi
Glen Kramer	...	Lt. Winston
Floyd Simmons	...	Lt. Hammond
Pat Hogan	...	Jacob
Felix Noriego	...	Lucas

Storyline

In Oregon Country, 1868, several tribes of Native Americans have been placed on a reservation north of the Snake River. Here Doctor Holden has built a church, and many of the tribes have accepted Christianity and Christian names. Sgt. Emmett Bell is in charge of maintaining order here. When the cavalry, under the command of Col. Stedlow, arrives, building a bridge across the river and intending to open a road across the reservation to areas north, some of the tribal chiefs feel their treaty has been violated. As the cavalry column advances into the reservation, Kamiakin vows to lead the tribes in battle against the encroaching white men.

---

Plot Keywords:

cavalry | christianity | native american | native american reservation | based on novel

---

Taglines:

The story of a people's faith and the courage of a man they called Godless!

---

Genres:

Western

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dem Tode entronnen

Filming Locations:

Joseph, Oregon, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the few westerns where the Indians actually ride bareback or on blankets instead of a blanket over the saddle.

---

Goofs

When Sgt Bell goes to the tent for a drink of whiskey and Sgt Carrracart tells him the still is small, Sgt Bell leaves and Sgt Carracart takes a drink from a canteen. The canteen is a Scout model made of Aluminum and not available until the 1900's.

---

Connections

Featured in Cuba (1979)

---

Soundtracks

"Sweet Thing"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Milton Rosen

User Reviews

A solid action western

This fine western is a cavalry-Indian affair that has the usual treaty-breaking by the government as it builds a road and fort on Indian land that causes an uproar and leads to war. The military's action sets in motion cavalry-Indian hostilities and the tribes gather for an attack on the fort. Many of the Indians have been baptised and converted to Christianity by a white missionary and live in peace with the soldiers, many serving as scouts under a sergeant played by Jeff Chandler. Complicating matters are two white women the Indians hold as hostages who are at great risk should war break out. Chandler did some his best work in westerns and is the lieutenant whom the Indian soldiers respect and follow faithfully. Chandler's flirtation with a married woman, played by Dorothy Malone, doesn't have much to do with the story other than to give the leading man a romantic interest. Ward Bond, Michael Ansara and Keith Andes are good in supporting roles. Oregon's scenic beauty is on display in this CinemaScope film.