WALK THE PROUD LAND

US, 1956, 88 minutes, Colour.
Audie Murphy, Anne Bancroft, Pat Crowley, Charles Drake, Tommy Rall.
Directed by Jesse Hibbs.

Walk the Proud Land is one of those small-budget westerns made by Universal in the 50s. They are short, unpretentious, attractively, even if glossily, filmed. They set out to portray a western story, highlight a hero, be a showcase for some stars - in this case Audie Murphy. And they succeed with what they set out to do. This film is better than average and treats an Indian- White theme very seriously. Audie Murphy may be miscast in his role but he gives it some conviction. Anne Bancroft in her early days in Hollywood gives a sympathetic performance as an Indian woman. The director is Jesse Hibbs who made many of these films and directed Murphy in his autobiographical To Hell And Back. A thoughtful small western.

1. The quality of this film as a western, even though with 'B' grade budget? Its success and its message?

2. The background of the San Carlos reservation, the note at the end about self-government in 1955? This background for a 1950's western?

3. The interest in the film as a biography? John Clum as a real person? The biographical tribute, his heritage in the west? The slow development of his influence into the 1950s?

4. The way that the film presented Arizona, Puzon, the army and its occupation, the Indians and their plight, outside the reservation? The film's comment on the situation of the Indians? The initial discussion of Clum with the scalpers, their callous attitudes, their later being arrested by the Indian police? A fair presentation of White versus Indian relationships?

5. The visualising of life on the reservation? The stand-over tactics of the army, authority and their fears of revolution by the Indians? The Indians as humiliated chained, killed? Geronimo and his attacking of the army? His hostility to the Indians who had capitulated to capture? Geronimo as a hero for the captured Indians, as with the children?

6. Audie Murphy's portrayal of Clum? A credible personality? The strengths and weaknesses of his personality? The scene of his arriving as a man from the East, his religious background, yet his authority from Washington and his standing by this? Clum as a man of integrity, willing to take risks? The Indians' response to his taking risks? Unchaining the men, allowing them rifles to go hunting? Risking the violent reaction and his almost being killed? The Indians then joining him, especially the chief, and the blood brother relationship?

7. The Indian woman and her character, strength, the customs as portrayed through her? As a focus for an Indian way of life? As a widow, mother, her fidelity to Clum? Her teaching Mary how to be devoted to Clum? Audience sympathy for the Indians through her?

8. The contrast of Mary and her love for Clum? Her arrival, the melodrama of the marriage, the town's snobbery, the wedding celebration, the difficulties in settling in, her almost giving up, jealousy of the Indian woman, learning from her and supporting her husband?

9. The help of the army sergeant training the Indian police, building up morale?

10. The gradual success in the town after opposition? The picturing of the ridicule, the change of heart of the governor?

11. The importance of Clum's capturing of Geronimo using Indian techniques and the Indians' supporting him? The army then leaving because of Clum's success? Clum as a hero of the West? The contrast of the boys imitating Geronimo and then Clum?

12. What had this man achieved? An example for the American heritage in race relationships? The contribution of a film like this?