COMANCHE

US, 1956, 87 minutes, Colour.
Dana Andrews, Kent Smith, Nestor Paiva, Linda Christian.
Directed by George Sherman.

Comanche is a brief western, made by veteran director of westerns, George Sherman, in colour and Cinemascope.

Like many Westerns made in the 1950s, it has Mexican location photography and Dana Andrews as a solid American hero.

The film has expected action and tensions between Indians and Americans. However, it is very much in the vein of the westerns of the 1950s which tried to understand the Indian plight, the double dealings of the Americans in the 19th. century. To that extent, it is more relevant in later decades with the greater sensitivity to racial questions and civil rights.

1. An interesting and enjoyable western? In the tradition of film westerns? Routine? Expectations?

2. Cinemascope, colour photography on locations? The atmosphere of the West? The forts? The terrain? The battles? The rousing musical score? The atmosphere of the song 'A Man Is As Good As His Word' and its being repeated throughout the film?

3. The title and the focus on the Comanches? Their rights to the land? Their own traditions? The clashes with the Mexicans? With the Americans? Integrity and tradition? Hot-headed warriors? The betrayals by the Americans? The crooked dealers and sellers of scalps?

4. Jim Read as the Indian scout, his integrity, his relationship with Quanah Parker? His place at the fort, being relied on by General Miles, the suspicions of John Ward from Washington? His old sidekick - and his wig coming in handy in times of danger? Going out to seek the Indians? Betrayed by Downing? The encounter with the Indians, their almost being executed, the possibility of a reconciliation? The battles? The happy ending? The credibility of the incidental romance with the rescue of Margarita and falling in love?

5. The presentation of the Comanches? Parker as a leader of honour? His command? Relationships with the Mexicans? With the Americans? Black Eagle and his hot-headedness? The clash between the two men? Black Eagle and his betrayal, the battle, fighting Read to the death? The reconciliation with the Americans?

6. American officialdom? The contrast between General Miles and his understanding, having to obey orders? And John Ward and his aggressive policy? Downing and the violence towards the Indians, the racism and the influencing of Ward? Piard's being taken prisoner and being killed? Downing's death?

7. The sketch of the Mexican villages, the Comanche raids, the issue of scalps and the selling of them, the making of dolls? The shooting of people in the towns? The capturing of the women? Quanah Parker's mother? Margarita amongst the Indians?

8. Themes of American history? Washington and government attitudes? Treaties with the Indians? Betrayal?

9. The film's attitudes towards civil rights, understanding of Indian dignity? The breakthrough in the '50s? The relevance for later decades?