Courage...Treachery...and Love --- AND THE GREAT EVERGLADES INDIAN WARS!
Lance Caldwell, a cavalry lieutenant, recounts his efforts to make peace with the Seminole Indian tribe, under an evil major.
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An extremely clean-cut Rock Hudson is a West Point graduate sent to help the Major at Fort King flush out some Seminole who live in the Floridian swamps. He has some history with the tribe, and it's leader - a rather unconvincing Anthony Quinn, so wants to try finding a peaceable solution to their relocation. Needless to say, they have no intention of being sent to a reservation and the battle lines are drawn. Add to the mix an intransigent by-the-book Major (Richard Carlson) whose only objective is to obey his orders - regardless of casualties; and Barbara Hale as the go-between for the parties and we get quite an enjoyable, if not particularly action-packed adventure story told by way of a retrospective at Hudson's court martial for murder and treason. The photography is lovely, and the script and direction are sufficient to pass the time.
**_Colorful “Western” with the lush milieu of Florida (where it was shot)_** In 1835-1837, during the Second Seminole War, a fresh lieutenant (Rock Hudson) and friend of Chief Osceola (Anthony Quinn) is assigned to Fort King in the heart of Florida, which is commanded by a strict major (Richard Carlson), who hates the Indians. Barbara Hale and Lee Marvin are also on hand. “Seminole” (1953) tackles American history with the addition of expected Hollywoodisms, like the unbelievable ending. Yet the gist is surprisingly true: Major Degan was based on General Thomas Jesup (and the character was even called Jesup until three days before shooting, a change that was made to prevent potential legal ramifications); Osceola was friends with a Caucasian or two, as he is with the lieutenant (such as Indian agent Wiley Thompson and, later, portraitist Robert John Curtis); Degan’s raid on an encampment of sleeping Seminoles and how it turns out was based on a real incident; the Seminoles indeed executed a counter-ambush in which Jesup was wounded and carried to safety by his men; and Osceola’s deceitful capture under a flag of truce caused a national uproar, not to mention was condemned by the international press. The deceitful violation of a peace talk was considered "one of the most disgraceful acts in American military history" and Jessup was forced to resign in disgrace with a forever-stained reputation. Furthermore, the military uniforms and weaponry of the time period are accurate, as well as the log fort. Meanwhile the flaws in the strategy of swamp warfare reflect reality. I should add that the Seminoles are portrayed in a sympathetic and realistic manner with Hugh O'Brian standing out as the embittered secondary chief Kajeck. Plus, real Indians were used as peripheral characters. A couple of interesting tidbits: The paintings made of Osceola during his three-month capture, when he happened to be deathly ill, were used as the blueprint for the iconic Cigar Store Indian. Also, unlike in the film, Osceola's head was actually cut off after decease and his decapitated body buried. The head was then displayed in Dr. Weedon’s drug store. It runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot in Everglades National Park, along with some scenes done in the studio. GRADE: B
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