War Arrow

War Arrow
by George Sherman

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DVD Reviews of War Arrow

DVD Review: Here Come the Cavalry !
Summary: 2 Stars

Jeff Chandler stars as a US cavalry officer who tries to use a "good" Indian tribe--the Seminoles--against a "bad" tribe of marauding Kiowas. Let's not get into "political correctness"--the film is over 50 years old. Not only does he have his hands full with these Native Americans, the commanding officer of the local fort, played by a gruff John McIntyre, resents his presence and "progressive" ideas. A beautiful "widow"--Maureen O'Hara--is trapped at the fort, and she soon has Jeff practically drooling over her. Since John wants her too, the "rapport" between the two men plunges further downhill. The movie toddles along for about an hour, before a climactic attack on the fort by those nasty Kiowas--led by Jay Silverheels, taking a break from his "good guy" Tonto image !

Jeff Chandler, with his piercing eyes and prematurely grey hair, gives the film more dignity than it deserves. He was a good actor, and his early death deprived the movies of a fine leading man. Maureen O'Hara has always been a stunning woman--that red hair, those flashing eyes, the fiery "Irish colleen" personality--yet, in this film, she seems to be going through the motions. Perhaps after "The Quiet Man", movies like this were not exactly inspiring for her. Comic relief is provided by Noah Beery as one of Mr. Chandler's sidekicks--Charles Drake is the other. Suzan Ball sizzles as an "Indian maid", while Henry Brandon is solid as her father, the Seminole chief--not the first or last time that Mr. Brandon would play a Native American. Another member of the tribe, with totally understandable "hots" for Ms. Ball, is played by Dennis Weaver--not too well--a good thing that "Gunsmoke" was just around the corner ! "B" western actor, Jim Bannon, is also featured--he may bill himself as "James" here, but his acting is as wooden and one-dimensional as ever.

The DVD exhibits a colourful, if slightly hazy, full-screen picture, and mono sound.

I bought "War Arrow" because I like westerns, Jeff Chandler and Maureen O'Hara--but sometimes, even with a lot of good ingredients, you can wind up with a second-rate stew ! I would file this one under "disappointing".

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