IMDb RATING
6.6/10
8.3K
YOUR RATING
The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiowa tribe.The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiowa tribe.The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their adopted daughter was stolen from the local Kiowa tribe.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
8.3K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Ben Maddow(screenplay)
- Alan Le May(based on a novel by)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Ben Maddow(screenplay)
- Alan Le May(based on a novel by)
- Stars
Videos1
- Director
- Writers
- Ben Maddow(screenplay)
- Alan Le May(based on a novel by)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
In post-Civil War Texas, the Zachary and Rawlins families are intrinsically tied together. Ben Zachary, the head of the family following the death of his father, Will Zachary, in Ben being the oldest son, and patriarch Zeb Rawlins are partners in a cattle ranching operation. Zeb's unassuming son Charlie Rawlins would like to court Ben's younger sister, adopted Rachel Zachary - something that doesn't quite sit well with Ben in he believing Charlie not worthy of Rachel - while Zeb's daughter Georgia Rawlins would be happy with any of the Zachary brothers, although she has her sights set on middle son Cash Zachary. Their world is upset with the arrival of an older man brandishing a saber. It is not the saber which is concerning, but rather the story that he is spreading: that Rachel is of Indian heritage, most specifically Kiowa. Regardless of the truth, which matriarch Mattilda Zachary knows, this story places a strain on the community who don't want a "dirty Injun" in their midst, threatens all the relationships between the Zacharys and Rawlins, and causes a division within the Zachary family, as the Zacharys try to protect themselves and their property against those who don't want Rachel there, including the Kiowa who want Rachel, one of their own, back. —Huggo
- Taglines
- A NEW TRIUMPH FROM ACADEMY AWARD WINNER JOHN HUSTON (original ad - all caps)
- Genres
- Certificate
- Approved
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaBefore filming began, director John Huston and star Burt Lancaster took actress Lillian Gish out to the desert to teach her how to shoot, which she would have to do in the film. However, Huston was astounded to discover that Gish could shoot more accurately, and faster, than both he and Lancaster, who thought themselves expert marksmen. It turned out that early in her career Gish was taught how to shoot by notorious western outlaw and gunfighter Al J. Jennings, who had become an actor after his release from a long prison sentence for train robbery and was in the cast of one of her films. She found that she liked shooting and over the years had developed into an expert shot.
- GoofsIn the copyright notice on "The End' screen, the year is given as MCMLVIX (it should be MCMLIX).
- Quotes
Rachel Zachary: Ben, what did those Indians want?
Ben Zachary: They offered to buy you for those five horses.
Rachel Zachary: Well, did you sell me?
Ben Zachary: Nope; held out for more horses.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 43rd Annual Academy Awards (1971)
- SoundtracksDown in the Valley
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by June Walker and Kipp Hamilton
[Hagar and Georgia sing the song at the Zachary/Rawlins lunch]
Top review
Quite a disappointment considering the cast & director
When I first became aware of the cast list (Lancaster, Gish, Hepburn, Murphy, Bickman, Wiseman) & the director (the great John Huston) for this movie, I just knew it was going to be a great Western, but I was sadly disappointed. The acting is good, no doubt about it, & the direction is fair, but there are a few things that go too far astray here. I mean, really, could you fall in love with & want to marry a person who you thought was your sibling for the past 20+ years?! Another problem here is that Lancaster's character seems to be portrayed as the noble defender of his family & as such, the Indians are made out to be his enemy, so they would seem to be the "bad guys," when all they're trying to do is repatriate one of their own (initially in a very peaceful manner). If the white settlers were to do the same thing, they would be considered heroes for doing so, & they'd make a movie about it with John Wayne as the hero & call it "The Searchers!" Kidding aside, there is too much injustice here that is left unconsequated (such as the killing of dozens of Indians & the killing of an innocent man who was only attempting to speak the truth) for this to be a satisfactory film for me. Audrey Hepburn is miscast here. Also, the score by Tiomkin is OK, but did the music have to dominate in such a loud manner as to drown out all other aspects of the film, including some dialog? I rate this only a 5/10.
helpful•2319
- wrbtu
- Jul 4, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Siege at Dancing Bird
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $5,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 5 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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