Lon Chaney Jr. plays Chief Pontiac, who has Fort Detroit under siege until a good friend among the whites, a ranger named Kent McIntire (Lex Barker) convinces him to attend a peace conference with British Maj. Gladwin.
Pontiac agrees, only to arrive at the fort and find a new commander, a Hessian named Col. Von Weber in charge. Von Weber, convinced his Hessians can easily subdue the Indians, has no interest in peace. In fact, he has a diabolical plan in mind. He sends blankets and other goods infected with smallpox to the Indian village as gifts.
Once the disease has ravaged the village, he plans to attack. McIntire tries to stop the treachery. He wants peace and he wants to protect a white captive in Pontiac’s village. After all, he’s told the Indians that captive, Winifred Lancaster (Helen Wescott), is his bride. Now, after some initial sparing, he’s grown rather fond of her. And vice versa.
Review:
The film scores points for tackling an unique chapter in frontier history; the prelude tells us Chief Pontiac ruled form 1753 to 1769.. And Von Weber is as evil a villain as you’ll find.
The film loses points thanks to some ridiculous scenes. In one, an Indian brave named Hawkbill tries to win Winifred’s affections by dancing in front of her like a mad man, chanting about how many white men he has killed, then flinging scalps at her!
In another, Winifred shouts at McIntire: “You’re horrible.” “Yes, I am,” replies McIntire. He then grabs Winifred and kisses her. Ugh.
The ending also seems a wee bit implausible considering how badly the Indians have been treated.
Directed by:
Felix Feist
Cast:
Lex Barker … Kent McIntire
Helen Wescott … Winifred Lancaster
Lon Chaney Jr. … Chief Pontiac
Barry Kroeger … Col. Von Weber
Roy Roberts … Maj. Gladwin
Larry Chance … Hawkbill
Katherine Warren … Chia
Ramsay Hill … Gen. Amherst
Guy Teague … Von Weber’s aide
James Fairfax … Guardhouse sentry
Adner George … The doctor
Runtime: 72 min.
Memorable lines:
Hessian officer: “As you predicted, sir, the attack did come as a complete surprise.”
Col. Von Weber: “These Indians are fools. And stupid.”
Hessian soldier: “What about the prisoners, sir?”
Von Weber: “There are to be no prisoners. These are dangerous animals.”
Kent McIntire to Winifred: “You’re lovely.”
Chia: “She Little White Swan. All ready for marriage night.”
McIntire: “Thanks, Chia.”
Winifred: “For your information and pleasure, I’ve been steamed.”
McIntire: “I wish I’d been around to watch.”
Winifred: “The day I find you in an English fort, I’ll see the steaming’s returned. To lobster color. Believe me, I will watch.”
McIntire: “Out, Chia. The bride and groom are about to quarrel.”
Col. Von Weber: “One does not treat (talk peace) with wild beasts. One destroys them.”
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