Soldier Blue
1970
This violent drama is based on an allegedly historic encounter between white settlers and the Cheyenne Indians, of the west. Based on Theodore V. Olsen's novel ARROW IN THE SUN, the account enacts the struggle of a U.S. soldier named Honus Gant (Peter Strauss) and a white woman named Cresta (Candice Bergen) who has been .. Read more
| Starring | Candice Bergen, Peter Strauss, Donald Pleasence |
|---|---|
| Director | Ralph Nelson |
| Genres | Action/Adventure |
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Soldier Blue
This violent drama is based on an allegedly historic encounter between white settlers and the Cheyenne Indians, of the west. Based on Theodore V. Olsen's novel ARROW IN THE SUN, the account enacts the struggle of a U.S. soldier named Honus Gant (Peter Strauss) and a white woman named Cresta (Candice Bergen) who has been captured by the Indians two years earlier. The pair is hoping to stay alive until they can reach the nearest army outpost. When the Cheyenne slaughter the paymaster's party, with which they have been travelling, the two carry on to encounter several unusual characters. Donald Pleasance is perfect in his portrayal of Isaac Q. Cumber, who holds them captive, while hoping to sell the Cheyenne guns, in order to acquire some of gold they stole from the paymaster. When Honus is wounded, Cresta goes ahead alone, only to discover that the army plans to wipe the Indians out entirely. She hopes to return to help Honus, and warn the Cheyenne to flee, before the handful of them that are left, are wiped out. Ralph Nelson directs, and keeps the allegiances even, revealing the true tragedy behind the conflict.
| Starring | Candice Bergen, Peter Strauss, Donald Pleasence |
|---|---|
| Director | Ralph Nelson |
| Studio | Optimum |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 49 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Wild Westerns |
| Genres | Action/Adventure |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 Mar 2005 Production year: 1970 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Very controversial on its release, this dramatisation of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 does not stint on the appalling carnage meted out to the Cheyenne by the US Cavalry. Scenes of women and children being raped and mutilated were cut by the British censor and Ralph Nelson's film was widely condemned for its extreme violence. It closely resembles Little Big Man in its tale of a white person — in this case Candice Bergen — who is kidnapped by Cheyenne tribesmen and becomes culturally enriched rather than bigoted. Like Arthur Penn's critically rated film, the vilified Soldier Blue owed a lot to the hugely influential book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and is an explicit allegory of the My Lai massacre in Vietnam.
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Extremely violent 'anti-violence' Western with a particularly nauseating climax following clichés all the way. From a director with pretensions.
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Most helpful member's review
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12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Best Ever Western
If you want a version of the wild west seldom told, then this is the film for you. Made well before any ofthe usual knocking the USA films were made. There is a warning on the opening title scene, be warned they mean every word of it. The end brings one to tears, thinking what fellow human being can do in the name of progress is a disturbing thought. Well acted throughout, the only real let down is the fiance, but he is in it for such a short time it does not matter. The screwy general of the cavalry, is too realistic for comfort, you can imagine it was his offspring that gave the orders in the trenches to go over the top. Great film not to be missed. I cannot praise it highly enough, I watched this when it was first released and it is still as good as ever.
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Most recent members' review
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12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Best Ever Western
If you want a version of the wild west seldom told, then this is the film for you. Made well before any ofthe usual knocking the USA films were made. There is a warning on the opening title scene, be warned they mean every word of it. The end brings one to tears, thinking what fellow human being can do in the name of progress is a disturbing thought. Well acted throughout, the only real let down is the fiance, but he is in it for such a short time it does not matter. The screwy general of the cavalry, is too realistic for comfort, you can imagine it was his offspring that gave the orders in the trenches to go over the top. Great film not to be missed. I cannot praise it highly enough, I watched this when it was first released and it is still as good as ever.
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Soldier Blue
This violent drama is based on an allegedly historic encounter between white settlers and the Cheyenne Indians, of the west. Based on Theodore V. Olsen's novel ARROW IN THE SUN, the account enacts the struggle of a U.S. soldier named Honus Gant (Peter Strauss) and a white woman named Cresta (...
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