BRAVE WARRIOR

US, 1952, 73 minutes, Colour.
Jon Hall, Christine Larsen, Jay Silverheels, Michael Ansara.
Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennett.

As B-feature films from the 1950s go, Brave Warrior is as good as any. Its strength lies in its colour photography and its story. Performances are rather ordinary – although Jon Hall was one of the action heroes from the late 30s and made a prolific number of films during the 1940s. Native Canadian Indian, Jay Silverheels portrays the chief of the Shawnees. He was later to become famous as playing Tonto to Clayton Moore’s Lone Ranger.

The director is Spencer Gordon Bennett, also a prolific film-maker, director of many serials during the 30s and 40s.

The film takes us into an unusual area of westerns: Indiana, the prelude to the war against England of 1812.

The title refers to Jon Hall’s character, Steve Ruddell, a military man sent to investigate spy activity on the part of the British, stirring up the Shawnee Indians. It also refers to Jay Silverheels’ Chief Tecumseh, an enlightened chief who wanted peace and was instrumental in building up a modern township. However, Michael Ansara as his brother, the Prophet, is a rebel, preaches revolution, is financed and supplied arms by the British, destroys the town that his brother has built.

The 1812 war is not seen very much on the American screen – and this film indicates that it might make a good setting for some interesting westerns and war films.

1.The popularity of B-budget westerns in the 1950s? Their straightforward storytelling? Their not dating?

2.The Indiana locations, the town, the countryside, the mountains? The musical score?

3.The background of the war of 1812, the aftermath of the American revolution? The British wanting to take back the United States? Infiltrating from Canada, making alliances with the Indians? Espionage in the American towns? The portrayal of the British military, their work? MacGregor? and his being a spy for the British?

4.The opening, the salt rations taken up the river, the attack by the British troops, the stealing of the cargo, burning it? The repercussions for Indian-American? relationships?

5.Steve Ruddell, military hero, in town, his investigations, his love for Laura MacGregor?, his friendship with Tecumseh? The meetings with Mac Gregor, the discussions, dinner at his house, the Prophet and the raid? His friendship with the governor, suspicions of MacGregor? The opening of the town, the Prophet’s attacking it? Ruddell and his plan to deceive the British, the empty wagons, the firing of the cannons, discovering the positions of the cannons, the attack? Warding off the war for the time being? His love for Laura, promising her father that he would protect her, Tecumseh and his farewell?

6.Tecumseh, the wise leadership, the native American Indians at the beginning of the 19th century? Peace treaties? American treaties – and their breaking the treaties? The building of the town, the dedication? Tecumseh and his relationship with the Prophet? Distancing himself? His sadness at the end, his farewell to Laura whom he loved, going north?

7.The Prophet, the rabble-rouser, the rebel? His followers, the attack on the Mac Gregor property? The deal with the British, arms? His raiding the town, becoming the chief? His defeat?

8.Shayne MacGregor? His role in the town, supplies, links with the British, the visit of the captains? His betrayal, the message to the Indians to attack? His saving his daughter from attack? His going with the troops? In the camp, Steve following him, the fight, the betrayal, the Prophet mistakenly killing him?

9.Laura, love for her father, work in the shop, growing up with Steve and Tecumseh, in love with Steve, the end and thinking her father was a hero?

10.Life in the American towns, the frontier, the pre-state territories? The role of the Indians? The role of the British? The aftermath of the 1812 war?