Information
- BFI identifier45630
- Date1970 (Copyright)
- Production countryUSA
- Production company
- SynopsisBased on the Sand Creek Massacre, a notorious 1864 slaughter of Cheyenne warriors, women and children (Synopsis) As a private serving in the U.S. Cavalry, Honas Gant is involved in a brutal attack from the Cheyenne. Only he and a woman under the Cavalry's guard - Cresta Lee - survive. Whilst Gant mourns the massacred corpses of his comerades, Lee reveals her sympathies for the Cheyenne, having lived with them for two years. It soon becomes clear to her that Gant is politically naive and brainwashed into the Cavalry's view of the Indians as savages - she names him 'Soldier Blue'. Despite their differences the two begin to trek towards the army camp they originally set out for. Throughout their journey they encounter hostile Indians, difficult weather and fall foul of amoral gunrunner Issac Q Cumber. During these adventures, the couple fall in love. After spending a night together, Lee leaves an injured Gant to make for the army camp on her own. On arrival she speaks to Colonel Iverson who angers her by firstly refusing to rescue Gant then declaring an attack on the Cheyenne who massacred Gant's unit. Lee uses her charm to escape the camp and goes to warn the Cheyenne whom are now totally defenceless as the guns they need were destoyed by Gant in the episode with Cumber. Gant finds his way to the camp but is unable to disuade Iverson from attacking the Cheyenne. On the day of the battle, the Colonel, seeking his moment of glory, ignores the Cheyenne's white flag and encourages his army to murder the men; torture and rape the women and burn the village down. Lee and Gant try to stop the brutal attack but their attempts are futile. Gant is arrested for his actions against the state and is held prisoner. As the company leave, Gant happens upon Lee and acknowledges their love through the brandishing of an Indian pendant. The film states that 'the greatest horror of the film is that it is all true'. (NFA Catalogue)
- Genre
- Subject
- CreditsDirector: Ralph Nelson
Production Company: Avco Embassy Pictures
Executive Producer: Joseph E. Levine
view all - CastCandice Bergen (Cresta Marybelle Lee)
Peter Strauss (Private Honus Gant)
Donald Pleasence (Isaac Q. Cumber)
view full cast
Title
Soldier Blue (Original)
Soldado Azul (Alternative)
EIDR identifier
10.5240/DA61-3EA5-45E1-2957-A637-SCategory
Fiction- Collections
- Film / Video
- Scripts / Documents
- Posters / Designs
- StillsPhotograph: film still - Landscape - SPD-2033893
Photograph: film still - Landscape - SPD-2033894
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-2033895
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-2033896
Photograph: film still - Portrait - SPD-2033897
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- +Soldier Blue
Work - 45630 - 1970 (Copyright)
USA - Film - Fiction
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