Sitting Bull (1954)

A major (Dale Robertson) in the U.S. Cavalry, who is sympathetic to the plight of Native Americans, attempts to intercede in the tense relationship between the Sioux nation and the U.S. cavalry represented by General George C. Custer (Douglas Kennedy) which will eventually erupt into the battle of Little Big Horn. Essentially a low budget "B" western, the film is elevated by the strong compositions in the CinemaScope format by cinematographers Charles Van Enger (ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN) and Victor Herrera. Historically, most of it is fabricated though one admires its sympathetic look at the Indians. Alas, too much time is wasted on the hackneyed romantic triangle (Robertson, Mary Murphy, William Hopper) when the focus should be on the Indian angle. The film is unusual for its time in its portrayal of a black man (Joel Fluellen), an ex-slave who chooses to live with the Indians rather than the white men, in a non stereotypical way. The score is by Raoul Kraushaar, who weaves Max Rich's haunting title song Great Spirit into the score proper. Directed by Sidney Salkow with location shooting in Mexico done by Rene Cardona. With J. Carrol Naish (who's Irish) in the title role, Thomas Browne Henry and Iron Eyes Cody.