The Battles of Chief Pontiac (1952)
Directed by Felix Feist / Felix E. Feist
Genres - Action, Adventure |
Sub-Genres - Indian Western, Period Film |
Release Date - Dec 8, 1952 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 71 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Some sources have indicated that Battles of Chief Pontiac was originally intended as the pilot for a TV series. Erstwhile Tarzan Lex Barker stars as 18th-century frontiersman Kent McIntyre, while Lon Chaney Jr. essays the title role of Chief Pontiac. On behalf of the British, McIntyre tries to negotiate a peace treaty with Pontiac, who is understandably wary of white-man promises. Sure enough, a fierce anti-Indian policy is placed into effect when McIntyre's commanding officer is replaced by bigoted Hessian colonel Von Weber (played with Fuehrer-like intensity by Berry Kroeger). Practicing a particularly insidious form of genocide, Von Weber tries to decimate the Indians with smallpox-infested blankets. Eventually, the cruel commandant is hoist on his own petard, and peace is restored for awhile.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
Native-American, settler, ancient, battle [war], Britain, brutality, coffin, conflict, cross-cultural-relations, demonic-possession, Egyptian [nationality], history, lieutenant, passenger, peace, peacemaker, territory, violence
