★ 7 / 10
Entertaining over-the-top Western from 1977 RELEASED IN 1977
Wuchak
Entertaining over-the-top Western from 1977 RELEASED IN 1977, "Grayeagle" is a Western about a settler in the 1848 Montana region (Ben Johnson) whose daughter…
Entertaining over-the-top Western from 1977
RELEASED IN 1977, "Grayeagle" is a Western about a settler in the 1848 Montana region (Ben Johnson) whose daughter (Lana Wood) is kidnapped by a Cheyenne brave (Alex Cord). He teams-up with his Native partner (Iron Eyes Cody) and a friend (Jack Elam) to get his daughter back. Along the way they must tangle with a Shoshone hunting party, including a crazy brave named Scar (Jacob Daniels).
While the plot is reminiscent of 1956's "The Searchers," it's different enough to not be a rip-off. "Grayeagle" may be far from a big-budget Western, like "The Searchers," but I like it better. It genuinely surprised me for a number of reasons. For one, it's not a typical Western; it's just as much a Native American film as it is a cowboy/settler Western; and the Natives are portrayed quite well, considering the time period.
Secondly, everything about the movie is over-the-top, like the acting, the (melo)drama and the blaring score. Speaking of the score, it plays like the bombastic music of the original Star Trek TV series, but updated to the mid-70s and fitted for a Western. It's quite good, sometimes even moving, albeit decidedly dated.
The plot similarities to "The Searchers" is interesting in that Lana Wood's sister, Natalie, played the kidnapped girl in that film. Speaking of Lana, she's just gorgeous. You might remember her as Bond girl Plenty O'Toole in 1971's "Diamonds are Forever."
The annoying, half-crazy character Bugler was played by the director, Charles B. Pierce, who made the similar “Winterhawk” (1975). You might remember Iron Eyes Cody (aka Standing Bear) as the American Indian shedding a tear about litter in one of the America’s most famous television public service announcements, "Keep America Beautiful," from the early 70s. While Cody certainly looked Native American and claimed his father was Cherokee (and his mother Cree), he offered conflicting data on his heritage. Evidence shows that he was a 2nd generation Italian-American based on an interview with his half-sister and documents, which included a baptismal record. But Cody denied the claim. He was likely part Native, but who knows?
Shot in the Helena National Forest Northeast of Helena, Montana, the landscapes are picturesque. "Grayeagle" is full of gusto and reminiscent of the later “The Mountain Men” (1980). It must be respected because the creators gave it their all to entertain the viewer; in fact, I include it on my hallowed "Favorite Westerns" list, perhaps as more of a guilty pleasure since the flick is so overdone that it sometimes borders on ridiculous. So I can see why some people don’t like it. While it's often supremely entertaining, the sacred words are fitting: "Just because you like a movie doesn't mean it's good."
THE FILM RUNS 104 minutes.
GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)
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★ 7 / 10
A simple Western with powerful scenes and spectacular outdoors
ma-cortes
When a homesteader (Ben Johnson)'s daughter (a gorgeous Lana Wood, Natalie Wood's sister) is abducted by a Cheyenne Indian (Alex Cord), one of the greatest…
When a homesteader (Ben Johnson)'s daughter (a gorgeous Lana Wood, Natalie Wood's sister) is abducted by a Cheyenne Indian (Alex Cord), one of the greatest Cheyenne warriors who ever lived , the father launches a search for her recovery . He's is accompanied by an Indian friend (Iron Eyes Cody) and a frontiersman (Jack Elam). They spend time doggedly pursuing his kidnapped daughter when are attacked by a bunch of nasty Indians and then the hard-hearted trapper takes revenge .This nice and well-paced Western contains adventure , interesting characters , romance , shootouts and spectacular fights . Action Western is pretty good , stylishly developed , a first-rate story and powerful told too . A great featured-role acting by veteran Jack Elam leads some eye-catching supporting performance along with Ben Johnson and Paul Fix . Appears relevant secondary actor named Iron Eyes Cody , usual player Indian roles (¨Great Sioux Massacre¨, ¨Sitting Bull¨, ¨A man called Horse¨) , though actually of Sicilian origin . Full of wide open spaces with breathtaking landscapes exceptionally filmed ; however it is necessary an urgent remastering because of the film copy is worn-out . The flick was well directed by Charles B Pierce who even appears credited in a brief role . He's an expert on terror genre (¨The Evictors¨ , ¨Boggy Crek¨ I, and II , ¨The town that dreaded sundown¨) and Western (¨Hawken's breed¨, ¨The winds of autumn¨, and ¨Winterhawk¨ realized in similar style to ¨Grayeagle¨). This big-scale adventure will appeal to Indian Western fans because you will find impressive battles and an ending haunting or over-melodramatic according your tastes . Rating : Good , worth a look for fans of Western.
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★ 5 / 10
behind the movie
lynneesque
They put a lot into this movie and deserve a 10 for effort. I believe I saw a couple of power lines in the showing in Helena, Montana in 1978 where it was…
They put a lot into this movie and deserve a 10 for effort. I believe I saw a couple of power lines in the showing in Helena, Montana in 1978 where it was filmed but I have not seen it in a while and they may have been edited out later. This was an interesting production. As the costume assistant I was able to work with Dave Powell (son of famous western artist Ace Powell who was a modern day Charles Marion Russell). The making of the movie and getting to know the cast members and crew was an experience for me at 16. A lot of interesting things happened during the production. I recall that at the end of the movie they did not use the actual actors credited as they had walked off the set for the sunset scene. Some were out fishing with my dad. I could go on and on. I enjoyed most of the experience, made a lot of clothes (here is an old shirt, make 16 just like it). Lana Wood's measurements were approximately 47x17x32, fun dressmaking all around. Thanks for the experience Mike (producer and great guy) - I still think of you and don't have crows feet yet - Thanks for the memories, Warren's daughter.
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AUDIENCE
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5.6/10
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@thoughtcrime69er - I'll avoid your bullshit opinions, there are not even any real Native Americans in this film for god sake! All are played by white men, how is that even ''PC''? I suppose in your opinion every movie that is not 'Death of a Nation' or Leni Riefenstahl propaganda is ''PC bullshit'' in your narrow minded world.