White Feather (1955)

In 1877 Wyoming, during the peace negotiations between the Cheyenne and the USA, an Indian girl falls in-love with a land surveyor, causing the ire of her Cheyenne fiance.

Director:

Robert D. Webb (as Robert Webb)

Writers:

Delmer Daves (screenplay), Leo Townsend (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Wagner, Jeffrey Hunter, John Lund

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Wagner	...	Josh Tanner
John Lund	...	Col. Lindsay
Debra Paget	...	Appearing Day
Jeffrey Hunter	...	Little Dog
Eduard Franz	...	Chief Broken Hand
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Lt. Ferguson (as Noah Beery)
Virginia Leith	...	Ann Magruder
Emile Meyer	...	Magruder
Hugh O'Brian	...	American Horse
Milburn Stone	...	Commissioner Trenton

Storyline

The story of the peace mission from the US cavalry to the Cheyenne Indians in Wyoming during the 1870s. The mission is threatened when a civilian surveyor befriends the chief's son and falls for the chief's daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

wyoming | 1870s | cheyenne indian | u.s. cavalry | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Beyond Any Indian Adventure Ever Filmed!

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Genres:

History | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Challenge

Filming Locations:

Fort Laramie National Historic Site - 965 Gray Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,125,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Panoramic Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To "show the white feather" is considered, in many places, to show cowardice. In others, it is a sign of high respect and, in still others, it serves the same purpose as a white flag of truce.

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Goofs

The Army, at no time during the Indian Wars, used Winchester repeating lever action rifles, as shown.

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Quotes

Magruder: Get that squaw out of here!

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Connections

Referenced in Chappaqua (1966)

User Reviews

Decent Indian/Cavalry Western about the difficult negotiations between the Cheyenne and the USA

Good Western , considered one of the first Hollywood films to side with the Indians . 1887 Wyoming , this is the story of a complex peace carried out by the Natives : Sioux , Arapahoes , BlackFoot and the US government . But a tribe resists the complete pacification : The Cheyenne . As a twisted and troublesome relationship takes place between the American cavalry commanded by Col. Lindsay from Fort Laramie : John Lund and the Cheyenne Indians led by Broken Hand ; while crooks settlers and mean traders thwart peace . A civilian surveyor : Robert Wagner attempts to make up , as he sets out to find true peace among feuding White men and Indians . Later on , he befriends a Cheyenne chief , Broken Hand: Eduard Franz , and his son Little Dog : Jeffrey Hunter and subsequently falls for his daughter Appearing Day : Debra Paget. But things go wrong when appears the jealous suitor : Hugh O'Brian, causing a merciless vengeance.The fate of the West lay in their hands , beyond any Indian adventure ever filmed , for this was the hour of decision and the last and deadly period of the Indian wars .

The picture is acclaimed along with "Broken Arrow" like the first to deal the Indian people with justice and understanding .The movie set during the 1870s is plenty of emotion , drama , romance , go riding , fights , and spectacular outdoors . The film contains enjoyable depiction about Indian habits as it was actually .A young Robert Wagner gives an acceptable acting as a surveyor whose mission is threatened when falls for the chief's daughter. She is played by the gorgeous Debra Paget interpretating a similar role to Broken Arrow. Both of whom are supported by Jeffrey Hunter who played along with Robert Wagner in "The true story of Jesse James" and "A Kiss before Dying .Furthermore , an agreeable support cast , such as : Eduard Franz as Indian chief , Hugh O'Brian as the angry fiance whose ire causes a relentless revenge , Noah Beery Jr as Lt. Ferguson , Emile Meyer , Milburn Stone and Iron Eyes Cody who played a number of Indian roles ; however , being Italian origin . Evocative and imaginative musical score by Hugo Friedhofer who also composed Broken arrow. It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Lucien Ballard , Peckinpah's ordinary cameraman, being shot on location in Fort Laramie , Wyoming , actual Fort at centre of events and activities portrayed and in Durango , Mexico .

The motion picture was well directed by by Robert D Webb. He was a fine craftsman and expert professional who produced and directed all kinds of genres as Cinema as TV episodes. He began working as an assistant director and second unit director in titles as Ramona, Lloyd of London , Seventh heaven , Maryland or Just around the corner. Being his his film debut :The Caribbean mystery ; from now on , he made several cinematic genres . As he realized Westerns such as : The proud ones , The Jackals ; Adventures: Pirates of Tortuga , Seven cites of gold , The way to the gold ; Film Noir : The Cape town affair , The Spiders , The Caribbean mystery ; Warlike : The glory brigade , 7 Women from hell ; and Sci-Fi : On the three hold of space . Although he also made some documentary , shorts, and Telefilms and TV episodes , such as: Temple Houston , Daniel Boone . Rating : 7 .Enjoyable Indian fare that will appeal to Western fans .