You won't be disappointed!

the audience applauded

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Back in 2003, when CinemaScope celebrated its fortieth anniversary, some of the films chosen to mark this occasion were rather odd. Few people would argue with River of No Return but where was King of the Khyber Rifles or Drum Beat or Moonfleet or Sitting Bull? Films which really utilized the full width of the screen for dramatic effect. Producer W.R. Frank's aim was obviously to make a spectacle that took the fullest advantage of CinemaScope's wild, wide spaces. And in this aim, he has surprisingly but admirably succeeded. You wouldn't think there'd be much left to re-ignite the excitement of Custer's stand at the Little Big Horn after so many other screen treatments, but producer Frank has spent so much money on this version, critical faculties are swamped by the sheer weight of manpower. Not since Griffith's Birth of a Nation have we seen battles so spectacularly staged in natural terrain. It's odd that the scope of the anamorphic screen to re-present such encounters was rarely exploited. Admittedly, all the money has been lavished on the last couple of reels, but what's wrong with an unforgettable climax? Aside from the staging of the action however, production credits are pretty mundane and conventional. The producer has not spared us a title song for both front and end credits (in fact the music score throughout is delightfully pedestrian), the photography (due to the early CinemaScope lens) is rather grainy, and the cast hardly aspires to the top drawer. Dale Robertson is as stolid as usual, Mary Murphy is given few opportunities to transcend her conventional role, whilst J. Carrol Naish, repeating his characterization from Annie Get Your Gun, makes a boring, half-hearted Sitting Bull. Fortunately, the support lineup includes old favorites like John Litel and Tom Brown Henry (as a briefly effective villain). In addition to the distracting grain, the lighting in the CinemaScope print tends to be rather dark. Obvious day for night photography is also no help. Nor is the noticeable difference in the lighting between the main and second unit. (Fortunately, none of these defects are apparent in the pan-and-scan TV print utilized on DVD by Platinum Disc). And whilst the action is great stuff, as stated above, I didn't like the use of such obvious stuntmen in the fight between Robertson and Cody.

SITTING BULL is a sluggish western about a cavalry major (DALE ROBERTSON) who is compassionate toward the Indians and must face insubordination for some of his actions against harsh superior officers.There's a traditional romance thrown into the mix, between a General's daughter (MARY MURPHY) and Robertson, with rival suitor WILLIAM HOPPER as another man interested in Murphy. J. CARROL NAISH is Chief Sitting Bull, who wants peace and refuses to put on his war paint although some members of his tribe are anxious to fight some of the white men's injustices. DOUGLAS KENNEDY is flamboyant and seriously miscast as the yellow-haired General Custer of the 7th Cavalry.It's handsomely produced in outdoor settings that look authentic, but the stilted dialog is handled indifferently by a lackluster cast of players. DALE ROBERTSON gives a leaden performance in the major role and he doesn't get much help from WILLIAM HOPPER or MARY MURPHY, who in real life, married Robertson after this film. Their chemistry on film fails to register and her motivations throughout are sketchy, to say the least.A major plot development has President Grant helping Robertson when he is condemned for helping Chief Sitting Bull and there are a few other subplots before we get to the battle at Little Big Horn. Robertson's compassion for the redskins almost lands him in big trouble toward the end, until Chief Sitting Bull intercedes just before he's about to be executed for treason by a firing squad.Good western should have been much better but is marred by dull performances and uninspired direction of Sidney Salkow. The director unwisely allowed few close-ups of his cast throughout the film, depending solely on medium shots for most of the scenes, probably because he was new at the CinemaScope process. Since most of the cast underacts considerably, this is a real drawback in the more intimate moments.

I give them credit for trying to be politically correct. There intent was noble, portraying the Indian as a victim of the American Military and indeed American Policy. That being said, I must admit that the acting in general was terrible, the dialogue was stilted and the historical accuracy was missing. I often laughed at Hollowood's early attempts to portray Native Americans with actors who did not have an ounce of Indian blood in them. J. Carroll Nash, a truly fine actor was Irish and sounded like an Indian from Brooklyn. Mr. Cody, who claimed to be an Indian was only married to one. He was Italian.It was difficult to be sympathetic to the lead character, Major Parrish only because the actor who portrayed him, Dale Robertson, was so bad. A for intent, F for execution.

They said that this was one of the most factual accounts of the Battle of Little BigHorn. The movie was crap. It had Iron Eyes Cody as the Indian adviser. He is and Italian Actor that pretended that he was an Indian. The portrayal of the Sioux was comical. I half expected that Mel Brooks would make a cameo as an Indian Chief. Everything about the Indians was wrong. A two year old could have made better props. There have been much better and more factual depictions of this event.In short if this comes on find something else to watch!