There have been any number of films familiar to me featuring one or more white females captured by Native Americans and attempts to rescue them, whether or not they wanted to be rescued. But this story is unique, in that it's planned from the beginning to release the captive unharmed after the infirm chief takes a look at her, he being said to be her father, unbeknown to her until he greets her in his native village. According to one reviewer, about 40 min of this film was hacked off, presumably to reduce its run time. That may explain some of the confusing events. However, it's not so bad that some viewers might find it a worthwhile experience. Lana Wood: Natalie's younger sister, makes a beautiful-looking '70s urbane woman, who looks and acts quite out of place as an 1840's pioneer woman. Unfortunately, she couldn't act the part, serving mainly to add sex appeal. Putting several bits of information together, I gather that Beth's(Lana)father was actually Chief Running Wolf. I wonder how this came about, since trapper John Colter seems to have been her acting father all along, apparently unaware that he was not her biological father. Her mother most likely was a Native American, which would make her a full N.A.! She hardly looks the part.The lunatic called The Bugler is quite a character, played by the director Charles Pierce, who was also the producer and one of the writers. Apparently, he was a white, whose madness was considered by the Shoshone a sign of having special spiritual powers. In consequence, he usually led a bunch of Shoshone. I can't recall another character in a western quite as consistently demented.Ben Johnson's character, John Colter, is the namesake, of a famous trapper in this area, who was included in the Lewis and Clark expedition, and given credit for discovering the Yellowstone and Teton region. However, he died elsewhere in 1812, and this story takes place in 1848. I don't believe he had any children.After the Shoshone captured trappers Colter and Willis, they played with them, challenging them to beat a brave, while tethered to a pole in the ground. Willis eventually was shot in the back with a couple of arrows. In contrast, Colter killed his opponent and was released from captivity. This episode much reminds me of a famous incident involving the real John Colter, in which he was captured by Blackfeet, stripped naked, and made to run a race for his life, given a head start. He killed the front runner behind him, then continued to run for his life. Meanwhile, his trapper partner was killed, as in the film.Some Cheyenne braves are depicted playing a stylized game of "counting coup", in which they are supposed to spear a series of rings on hooks, each on a pole in a line. I wonder if this game was actually a feature of Cheyenne culture? None of the principle actors playing Native Americans was actually a N.A.. Iron Eyes Cody, often assumed to be a N.A., was actually born a Sicilian. Jack Elam, barely recognizable, played trapper Willis. Paul Fix played Running Wolf, while Alex Cord played Grayeagle. All of the "good" N.A. were Cheyenne, whereas the Shoshone, along with the Bugler, were cast as "bad".

When a homesteader (Ben Johnson)'s daughter (a gorgeous Lana Wood, Natalie Wood's sister) is abducted by a Cheyenne Indian (Alex Cord), one of the greatest Cheyenne warriors who ever lived , the father launches a search for her recovery . He's is accompanied by an Indian friend (Iron Eyes Cody) and a frontiersman (Jack Elam). They spend time doggedly pursuing his kidnapped daughter when are attacked by a bunch of nasty Indians and then the hard-hearted trapper takes revenge .This nice and well-paced Western contains adventure , interesting characters , romance , shootouts and spectacular fights . Action Western is pretty good , stylishly developed , a first-rate story and powerful told too . A great featured-role acting by veteran Jack Elam leads some eye-catching supporting performance along with Ben Johnson and Paul Fix . Appears relevant secondary actor named Iron Eyes Cody , usual player Indian roles (¨Great Sioux Massacre¨, ¨Sitting Bull¨, ¨A man called Horse¨) , though actually of Sicilian origin . Full of wide open spaces with breathtaking landscapes exceptionally filmed ; however it is necessary an urgent remastering because of the film copy is worn-out . The flick was well directed by Charles B Pierce who even appears credited in a brief role . He's an expert on terror genre (¨The Evictors¨ , ¨Boggy Crek¨ I, and II , ¨The town that dreaded sundown¨) and Western (¨Hawken's breed¨, ¨The winds of autumn¨, and ¨Winterhawk¨ realized in similar style to ¨Grayeagle¨). This big-scale adventure will appeal to Indian Western fans because you will find impressive battles and an ending haunting or over-melodramatic according your tastes . Rating : Good , worth a look for fans of Western.

Unfortunately, I think this is one of the worse movies I have ever seen. I bought it purely for unintentional comedy moments and my family and I roar at it. How in the world did Scar have all those straight white teeth? Why did it take forever before the horseback fight scene began? It really is a poor man's version of The Searchers I never thought Lana Wood was that bad an actress, but this movie is horrible. One of the other issues I have with it is that the script is so poorly written, i felt sorry for Ben Johnson and Alex Cord having to take jobs in this fluff-piece. The film looks grainy and is often too dark. I cannot recommend it.

Set in 1848, Montana Territory, this film is an excellent & accurate portrayal of frontier life. Starring Ben Johnson, Iron Eyes Cody, Jack Elam, Lana Wood & Alex Cord, it shows indians and settlers as they really were. Thoroughly enjoyable for the Western Film Fan.