Genres

Visitors Review

JohnRouseMerriottChard 2012-05-22 22:42:26

Maybe you don't want to think of the white man being savage like the Apache?

Apache renegade Ulzana goes on a murder raid, hot on his trail is aposse of cavalrymen. Led by the young and inexperienced Lt. GarnettDeBuin, the cavalrymen in order to survive and defeat Ulzana, must relyon the help of tough old scout McIntosh and his trusty Indian friend,Ke-Ni-Tay.Directed masterfully by Robert Aldrich {The Dirty Dozen & The LongestYard}, Ulzana's Raid is just shy of being an uncompromisingmasterpiece. There is no pandering to political correctness here, thisis showing the bitter hostility of the Indian war, torture andmurderous inclination is the order of the day. The allegories toVietnam are hard to ignore as our band of men are struggling out in thewilderness against Ulzana's hostile raiders, the sprawling mountainouslandscape another tool to the already handily equipped Apache.What lifts Ulzana's Raid high above many of its contemporaries is itson the money dialogue. A wonderfully complex script from Alan Sharpmanages to make all the characters intriguing and deserving of furtherdelving. The Apache are savage, and Aldrich doesn't flinch from showingthis, but they are afforded respect, and crucially, understanding.Ulzana's Raid could quite easily have been a one sided blood lettingexercise in Western folklore, but it isn't. The motives and attitudesof the white man party is there for all to scrutinise, with muchattention to detail given as the many conversations bring rich andrewarding results to the discerning viewer. From the off it's evidentthat McIntosh & DeBuin have vastly different views of Ulzana's actions,but as the film moves forward; all manner of questions leap out, be itChristian values, racial hatred or merely imperialistic trust; allparties involved are hurtling towards the final reckoning.Burt Lancaster is perfect as McIntosh, grizzled and carrying a framemade for such a rigorous terrain. Playing DeBuin is Bruce Davison,boyish charm fused expertly with unwanted bravado, while stealing thefilm is Jorge Luke as Ke-Ni-Tay. A performance of great depth thatholds and binds the picture brilliantly. Sadly this film has been avictim of much interference over the years, {studio and Lancasterhimself to blame}, so much so there is thought to be about 6 cuts ofthe film out there in the home entertainment world. Thankfully we arenow able to get a cut of the film that is almost complete, but stillthere remains to this day no definitive full cut of the film. German{the version I own} and Australian releases proclaim to have it uncut,but that's not accurate because there is still some three minutesmissing from the very first cut of it: including a quite crucialsequence involving Sergeant and Trooper Miller. Still, it has to besaid that even with 3 minutes chopped out of it, Ulzana's Raid is stilla grim and brilliant piece of work. Showing the savagery from bothsides of the fence, Aldrich and his team refuse to cop out and panderto formula. 9/10

steve_b33 2012-05-22 07:41:28

Powerful Stuff

Robert Aldrich's savage 1972 revenge western which as harrowing now asthen - a band of Apaches's have left the reservation and gone on akilling spree - Young and idealistic Lt DeBuin(Bruce Davison) is put incharge of the calvary sent out to stop them - he is joined bywily,plain speaking scout McIntosh(a splendidly grizzeled BurtLancaster) and his trusty Apache assistant Ki-No-Tay - the chase is onto stop Ulzana before he does too much killing.... DeBuin is fromdevout Christian stock and is appalled at the cruelty meted out to theApache's victim's - he starts from a point that they are no differentto himself but as the burnings,rapes and torture mount he begins toquestion how these men could have been made in God's image.McIntosh is more sanguine about it - he respects the Apache but has noillusions about the way they operate - Aldrich doesn't shy away fromthe more grisly acts but its more than the usual Injun bashing - thepoint is made that if the white man treated them better then theywoudn't feel the need to do these things - McIntosh is not so convincedand there is a factinating conversation between DeBuin and Ki-No-Tayabout why the Apache kill and how others deaths give the killer power.Along the way DeBuin has his metal tested and has to make decisionsthat affect the life and deaths of both homesteaders and his troops -Davison is good in the role and Lancaster is excellent as theolder,more experienced man who has seen it all before but knows whatneeds to be done - but still brings a warmth and humanity to thecharacter.Of course any search and destroy raiding party Western of the time canhave endless Vietnam parallels - and the fine script leaves the filmopen to more than one interpretation. Fine stuff.

NewEnglandPat 2012-05-20 23:09:56

A grim, violent cavalry-Indian western

This cavalry-Indian western doesn't depart from its predictable formulaof reservation-jumping Indians who rampage, plunder, ambush and commitatrocities until the cavalry catches up with them. Burt Lancaster, inone of his last good performances, is a tired, dusty scout whose taskit is to steer a greenhorn officer straight and keep him out of harm'sway, in spite of himself. The film has lots of action and great visualbeauty, with graphic bloodletting thrown in for good measure. BruceDavison is miscast in this picture, not at all believable as a cavalrylieutenant. Davison is eager enough to get the assignment of capturingUlzana but after being outfoxed by the fugitive chief reluctantlydefers to Lancaster and Jorge Luke, the latter who is great as anApache scout, and turns out to be the real hero of the film. Thepicture has Indians fighting other Indians, which isn't new in westernsbut when its all over this movie leaves a bad taste.

latsblaster 2012-05-20 20:46:47

Ulzana's Raid: Original Western

Interesting Western, made when Bob Aldrich already was an establishedHollywood-director. He had directed several Westerns, and well-knownfor his films, such as "Attack" and "Flight of the Phoenix". You cannotice his experience when you watch this film. To make this pictureAldrich needed his big director-name, otherwise I think he couldn'tdare to make "Ulzana's Raid" (althrough made during the NewHollywood-era).This wasn't just another Western, it was a serious try to make aviolent film with battle between the white and the native Americans,maybe with ambition to stay neutral or being distanced. The film didn'tsucceeded with that ambition but yet it wasn't a failure and it got arather unique mood. Burt Lancaster was a good choice in the lead, butthe character McIntosh isn't the type you learn to love from the firstframe he enters the screen (and no classic Lancaster-type), and yet heis not an anti-hero. You never get to know him. This is a veryexperienced, but rather quiet character (anti-Lancaster). You don't getto know his right hand Ke-Ni-Tay neither, and none of their enemies orallied. I think this is perfect for the film.Maybe the story could have been developed more. It is hardly one of thevery strongest Western-movies I have seen, since it isn't a film thatmakes you feel a lot of different emotions such as Ford's, Hawks' orLeone's movies did, but still a very interesting film because it isoriginal in many ways and that is reason enough to not miss it. A boldfilm, made in an interesting time.Rating: 7 of 10.

sol1218 2012-05-20 16:49:03

The only thing that will slow them down is how many people they kill

***SPOILERS*** Breaking out of the San Carlos Indian ReservationUlzana, Joaquim Martinez, and eight of his fellow Apaches go on a bloodcurdling rampage against the white homesteaders in the area. The USCalvary gets their best Indian fighter McIntosh, Burt Lancaster, andhis Apache scout Ke-Ni-Tay, Jorge Luke, to help them track down Ulzanaand his raiders before they have the entire reservation rise up andjoin them. Using guerrilla-like tactics Ulzana despite being vastlyoutnumbered by the US Calvary seems to be getting his way who by nowhas terrorized not only the homesteaders but the US Calvary itself withhis hit and run attacks.The movie "Ulzana's Raid" pulls no punches in how it depicts theApaches in their treatment of those unfortunate enough to end up beingcaptured by them. There's one shocking scene when the Apaches attack awagon with a mother and son riding in it as the calvary man guarding ittakes off leaving the terrified woman and boy behind. The trooperHorowitz, Dean Smith, suddenly turns and looks like he's about to savethe woman Mrs. Ginsford, Margare Fairchild, and her ten year-old sonBobby then without a second thought pulls out his revolver and shootsMrs. Ginsford dead! It was his way of preventing the poor woman fromsuffering a fate worse then death at the hands of the oncoming Apaches.Horowitz himself seeing that there's no hope of him escaping blows hisbrains out and ends up with the Apaches sadistically tearing out hisheart and gleefully playing catch with it! As for Bobby he's left aliveby his mother and Horowitz's killers to be traumatized for the rest ofhis life in what he just experienced which was anything but an act ofmercy on their part.The US calvary troop lead by Lt. Garnett DeBuin, Bruce Davidson,makesslow but steady progress against Ulzana's raiders who are drawing thecavalrymen deeper into the desert in order to ambush them. As Lt.DeBuin, who's a very devote Christian, and his men come across whatUlzana did he starts to hate not only Ulzana and his gang of raiders inparticular but all Apaches in general. Never seeing the savagery thathe experienced in tracking down Ulzana Lt. DeBuin in fact becomes farmore hateful against the Indians then McIntosh who's known the Apachesall his life! In fact McIntosh's wife is a full-blooded Apache Indian.At first Lt. DeBuin was anything but impressed with either McIntosh orhis Apache scout Ke-Ni-Tay in feeling that they were no better in someways then the gang of Apache raiders they were tracking down. Not beingoutraged at Ulzana had the young Lt. DeBuin think that McIntosh was insome way excusing what he and his men did. It was later that McIntoshenlightened the young lieutenant in telling him that hating what Ulzanaand his men, as well as the entire Apache tribe, did was like hatingthe desert for not having water. Let. DeBuin also didn't realize thatit was the US government who by how it treated the Apache as well asall the other Indian tribes that in more ways then one created men likeUlzana.The movie ends with Ulzana being trapped in a canyon with McIntosh andhis men holding him off while Lt. DeBuin and the US Calvary comes totheir rescue. The green and untested Lt. DeBuin had spread his men toothin and their rescue effort came up short with all of McIntosh's, withthe exception of Ke-Ni-Tay, men ending up dead or wounded. Ulzana's menare all killed during the ambush he planed on McIntosh with him seeingthat it's all over he lets himself get shot and killed by hisbrother-in-law who just happened to be Ke-Ni-Tay. McIntosh badlywounded in the fighting is left at his own request to die together withhis men and as he takes out a cigarette and is about to have a lastdrag "Ulzana's Raid" goes into freeze frames and ends.One of the very few realistic westerns to come out in years that letsthe chips fall where they may in how things were in the war between theWhite Man and the American Indian back in the late 19th century. We seethat both sides were anything but civilized in treating each other andthat's what also had Lt. DeBuin finally realize in what he so blindlyoverlooked in the Apaches, as well as all the other Indian Tribes, thathe was dealing with on both sides of the battle-line.

Crimpo2 2012-05-20 00:01:21

Burt Lancaster at his best

I'm a big Western fan and I know I'm not alone among that dwindlingband in placing Ulzana's Raid among my top three westerns and my topten all time films. Among the sub-genre of post-1960 'realistic'westerns it is simply head and shoulders above anything else in thefield. Its setting is bleak and inhospitable and its characters hardlyless so. Even in its uncut form the film is violent - how could it notbe - but not merely for effect and the sadism is implied rather thanbeing gloried in. Both sides view is put forward - neither is right andneither is wrong, thats just how it was. Comparisons to Vietnam - in1972 there could hardly not be. However, its also a good portrayal of aminor incident in a brutal war and it really doesn't need the Vietnamcontext to still be a very worthwhile watch. It isn't overlong and itmoves along at pace - though as others have said the actual 'action'scenes are far fewer than it seems as you watch it! Marks of a gooddirector those.Almost all the film's characters are tough guys - moulded by theirharsh environment - and they are beautifully cast. Jaeckel inparticular is very good. However, for me this film stands out as one ofLancaster's finest performances. Someone else said his performance was'phoned in' - well it is minimalist. He isn't flashy, he doesn't wantyou to think what a great actor he is. Instead he is what he plays -the old veteran who's seen it all and doesn't need to prove himself.Watch the movie again and see how much Burt does without even openinghis mouth. Its a beautiful performance by an actor who knows that someparts don't need pyrotechnics. Do actors like that still exist?If you like Westerns then watch this one

lost-in-limbo 2012-05-18 13:45:32

A western to chew over.

The US cavalry have just learned that apache leader Ulzaza has left hisreservation with a band of followers and now has gone on a killingrampage. They get in Indian tracker McIntosh to help young idealisticLieutenant DeBuin and his small cavalry track him down and bring himback. However what DeBuin encounters on his journey, the aftermath ofUlzana's raids begin to have an affect of him. His naïve and biasstandpoint comes to the forefront, as he tries to come to grips byquestioning McIntosh and his trusted Indian guide Ke-Ni-Tay.Director Robert Aldrich's grim and savage western is a lot morethoughtful in its conservative context (allegories to war --- Vietnam)than its blood-drenched images might suggest. Still while trying forthis angle; it's not something we haven't already encountered in otherfilms of its ilk. With it having varying viewpoints (Christian valuesof everyone being one, the matter of trust and simple racial conflict)towards the Apaches from the greenhorn Lt., his men and that of theIndian scout and his apache guide. Where emotion (hate) gets in the wayof rationality (the motivation might not be any better for both sides--- as no-one is clean-cut), and it becomes a calculative mind gamebetween the two parties of waiting for the slip-up to finally pounce.Early on the narrative feels episodic, but then it straightens up forthe chase but Alan Sharp's well-rounded script is compellinglyrespectable in its detailed descriptions. Aldrich's competent handlingkeeps it hardy and earthy with the unsparing tone and brutal acts(violence, torture and rape) suiting the scathing sun-baked Arizonaterrain. Burt Lancaster looking rugged gives a rock solid performanceas McIntosh and the fresh-faced Bruce Davison is agreeably good as Lt.DeBuin. Joaquín Martínez is stout-like as Ulzana and Jorge Luke isexcellent as Ke-Ni-Tay. Luke's character is the bridging aspect to bothsides. Burly actor Richard Jaeckel also would appear.

esteban hernandez 2012-05-18 07:39:16

Ulzana, good or bad?

Probably many of us had the question, good or bad? when finish watchingthe film. Aldrich was always fond on Indian problems, but in fact henever went to the roots of the problem. Ulzana seems to be a killerwithout mercy, the dialog between the officer and a recruited Indianleft me also with the sensation that Ulzana and his followers werekillers. However, some ambiguity was also left when Lancaster said tohis officer that he was married to an Indian woman and that Apachesshould be understood. The film was right indicating the intelligence ofthe movement of the Indians in their fight against the white army. Asan entertainment the film is OK, but historically it is poor ingeneral.

documain-1 2012-05-17 19:56:48

Forget the allegories, this is simply a great film.

The first issue on this film is the question, "Is the print I amlooking at complete?" When Ulzana's Raid was scheduled as a late movieon network TV, I set the timer to capture it. After viewing it, I wasstunned. I watched it several times, trying to savor every detail. Icould see, however, that network TV had edited out some graphicallyviolent scenes.I purchased a home video version, but was disappointed. It had some ofthe graphic images restored, but some other scenes were missing fromthe purchased version that I had seen in the network TV version. Forexample, there is a scene between Lloyd Bochner and Douglass Watson,the post commander. Watson is listening to the oily Bochner attemptingto weasel out of the detail to chase Ulzana. Watson is taking snuffduring the scene, which is fascinating in its statement. It is arevolting exhibition, and it leaves you with the question of why anyonewould do anything like that. Leaving it out of the film disturbs thebalance, in that it is yet another example of the white man'squestionable behavior. We already knew the Apaches were a littleeccentric.Also missing is the scene between Lloyd Bochner and Bruce Davison whereBochner is selling the young lieutenant on the notion that herecommended Davison for the mission instead of he himself weaseling outof it. The naive lieutenant is most grateful. This scene is importantin that it emphasizes DeBuin's naiveté, and shows the integrity of atleast one of the cavalry officers.There is another scene deleted where McIntosh is reading from theRukeyser's bible, and deriving obscure facts about the family that hadbeen decimated by the Apaches. It was almost wistful in its statementof how the twists and turns of life depend on trifles.And there is the question of Mrs. McIntosh. Aimee Eccles plays thepart, a credited role, but she appears as no more than a shadow in thetwo versions of the film I saw. Is something missing here also?Ulzana's Raid is a carefully constructed mosaic, and it is terriblethat a "director's cut" is not available.Much of the commentary on this cult film addresses allegorical aspects,but I never got that from the film. I think it is more interesting tofocus on Jorge Luke's character Ke-Ni-Tay. I have been able to identifyLuke in a couple of films, most notably for me was Sunburn, wherein heplays a thug. He is evidently a veteran of the Mexican cinema, with 110entries in the IMDb for his appearances. He handles this role with justthe right touch.From the outset, Ke-Ni-Tay is shown as the superior man in most ways.He is extraordinary in his job, and more than competent. He is also aphilosopher and teacher. He tells the lieutenant why the Apachestorture and kill their captives. "You not know about power. In thisland, man must have power. Each man who dies, the man who kills him,takes his power." He also explains why Ulzana left the agency. "Ulzanais at agency long time. His power is very thin. He had old smell in thenose. The smell of dog, of women, of children. Man with old smell inthe nose is old man. Ulzana wants new smell. The smell of bullet. Ponyrunning. For power!" Ke-Ni-Tay is also a joker. When asked by thelieutenant if he knows Ulzana, Ke-Ni-Tay says, "His wife is my wife'ssister. His wife ugly. My wife, not so ugly."Ke-Ni-Tay appears also to rate higher in the Apache pecking order aswell. When Ulzana is finally cornered, and he realizes the raid isover, Ke-Ni-Tay confronts him with the death of Ulzana's son. Ulzanawillingly submits to his own execution, and Ke-Ni-Tay performs the actwith honor and respect, but without hesitation.Ke-Ni-Tay is an honorable man. When asked by DeBuin if he will kill thelookout, he says, "Ke-Ni-Tay sign paper." There is no question he willfollow through.Ke-Ni-Tay is also a loving and loyal friend. His relationship withMcIntosh goes way beyond a Lone Ranger and Tonto association. Theirbond is shown subtly and beautifully by Director Aldrich, through looksand simple gestures. There are no words of sentiment between them, buttheir friendship is strong. Ke-Ni-Tay worries that the lieutenant willnot ride back to help McIntosh. McIntosh rebukes the lieutenant for hisimplied insults to Ke-Ni-Tay simply because he is an Apache, as thelieutenant's hate for Apaches grows throughout the film. When asked ifKe-Ni-Tay can be trusted, McIntosh says simply but emphatically, "Itrust him." At the end of the film, Lieutenant DeBuin is a wiser manthan when he began his journey with Ke-Ni-Tay. As he leaves Ke-Ni-Tayto deal with the burial of Ulzana, DeBuin salutes him, with the simpleaddress of "Scout," as he takes his leave.Ke-Ni-Tay is one of the most fascinating characters in film. Hischaracter is carefully constructed and revealed, and his stature growsthroughout. He is complex and heroic—a man one would be honored toknow.Ulzana's Raid is a cult film for sure. Look at the number of commentsit has received here. This is a provocative and evocative masterpiece.Hopefully, this film will be restored to its original release. Itdeserves it.

psagray 2012-05-17 11:27:00

A film of worship for the enthusiasts of Western.

"McIntosh" (Burt Lancaster), is a scout to assist the cavalry to hunt"Ulzana"(Joaquin Martinez), and his band of Indians apaches renegades.When goes a long persecution to the fugitive, "McIntosh" tries to teacha young and idealistic lieutenant (Bruce Davison), that the only way tocombat the extreme brutality and violence of the apaches, is to use asuperior force.The "Ulzana's raid" is a title little-known within the kind of Westernand, however, for the enthusiasts of the same is a movie to claim withthe passage of time, a film of worship, although represents a portraitcrude and heartbreaking about the customs Apaches but, at the sametime, a critical lasts to the military institution and its codes ofhonor.Remarkable Work of Robert Aldrich, director with strong personalitythat dominates especially the mounting and scenes of action. It hadalready agreed previously in other work with Burt Lancaster "Apache" or"Vera Cruz" and here we see this actor in a different log: Laconic,austere and taciturn, a browser experienced enormous experience andthat contradicts continuously military orders and its hierarchy. Inshort, few films within the gender have reflected with both realism andviolence to the tribe of the Apaches. Burt Lancaster, interpreted in afilm that although became quite unnoticed at the time, has become anicon of the post classic western, which was led by his friend RobertAldrich Its beginning is magnificent, the presentation of characterscolossal and pace continued throughout the tape. It is not a pacifistwestern , but it's very pessimistic and antropofóbico as it considersthe man overbearing of man and using violence as a form of expressionand power. Therein lies the greatness of the film.Good interpretation of Lancaster and correct the young companion BruceDavison, on the other hand the Indians are the most credible, enigmaticand suggestive of the history of cinema

guanche 2012-05-17 02:05:32

Brutally realistic, yet calmly existential

This film is loosely based on the historical hunt for an Apache warparty that jumped the reservation and embarked on a killing spree thatterrorized 1880s Arizona. These Indians aren't the spiritually wise,minimalist warriors portrayed in politically correct nonsense like"Little Big Man". Ulzana and his men actually enjoy torturing andkilling their enemies. When the young and naive cavalry lieutenant askshis Apache scout why his people are so cruel, the man simply shrugs hisshoulders and says "because that's the way they are." Burt Lancaster,in an accomplished portrayal of a white scout married to an Apache, hascome to this realization long ago and has ceased being judgmental,without; at least apparently; becoming overly embittered. He sums uphis attitude, and, it could be said, the attitude of the film with theline (probably a paraphrase on my part) "...hating Apaches is likehating the desert for its lack of water..."The film is grim and unsentimental. It has at times been said that thismovie was intended as an allegory of the futility of the then currentVietnam conflict. I don't agree. While the "grunts" of any war becomeresigned and even oblivious to any issues beyond their own survival,there was at least some awareness of competing value systems and largerpolitical realities among the participants in the Vietnam war. Here,neither side expects anything from their enemies nor cares to study orcontemplate anyone's motives, including their own.The action scenes are realistic, believable, and, at times, trulysuspenseful. The violence is quite graphic and not for the very youngor sensitive. Unfortunately (perhaps fortunately for some) this causestelevised versions to be substantially cut. A very worthwhile film,perhaps the best of its type.

tom-darwin 2012-05-16 09:59:09

Original, Essential, Underrated Western & War Film

The Old West was on the screen, but Vietnam was on the minds of theaudience and possibly the filmmakers. Like other Westerns of the time,"Ulzana's Raid" pays little attention to traditional Western themeslike rugged self-reliance, goodguy-badguy, or the Indian as NobleSavage or Rapacious Brute. It's not the first Western to try to portrayPlains Indians with either sympathy or a degree of realism (RichardWidmark's roles in "The Last Wagon" and "Cheyenne Autumn" come tomind), but it makes an effort scarcely to be equaled before or since.Apache warrior Ulzana (Martinez), weary of his reservation, leadsseveral young braves on a foray for "new smell," as Army scoutKe-Ni-Tay (Luke, in an understated, perfectly deadpan performance)describes it. "New smell" includes the smoke of rifle fire and burninghomesteads. In pursuit is a cavalry detail led by a young lieutenant(Davison) and including Ke-Ni-Tay, a tough, skilled sergeant (Jaeckel)and tracker McIntosh (Lancaster). McIntosh, who is disgusted by whiteexploitation & abuse of the Indians but has no illusions about Ulzana'sdeadliness, brings nothing new to Westerns. It's Davison who standsout, giving us a mirror to look into as he portrays the lieutenant'sstruggle between his Christian idealism and the horrors of homesteadersmutilated by Ulzana. Ke-Ni-Tay, who of course has chosen to work forthe Army, does little to champion the Apaches except to insist thatonly hard men can live in the desert. McIntosh stays calmly neutraltoward the Apaches ("It's like hatin' the desert 'cause there ain't nowater on it"), an attitude that the lieutenant first sees ascallousness. But the lieutenant must also deal with the blind hate ofhis own men, some of whom are happy to mutilate the Apaches in revenge.Hate, training and routine keep the lieutenant from understanding theApaches even enough to fight them. The story is outstandingly clever,with the outnumbered, poorly equipped Ulzana invincible because of hisskill, speed and warcraft--until McIntosh, the sergeant and Ke-Ni-Tayteach the lieutenant to think ("The problem with fighting Apaches ispredicting what they'll do next"). Sparse but intense action sceneskeep the film from turning to sociological mush. The gore & torture aresparse, too, even by 1970s standards, but the terror & despair of thedying makes it far more frightening than the casual bloodbaths of theTarantino age. The theme of soldiers too trapped in their own routine,contempt & hatred to understand their enemy was often revisited in theVietnam movies that began to appear a few years later, including "GoTell the Spartans" starring Lancaster in a similar role to McIntosh. Itis a theme that will probably be picked up again in the decades afterIraq & the War on Terror. Neither side is glorified but all arehumanized, even--perhaps especially--the fearsome Ulzana. If thelieutenant doesn't get happier, he certainly becomes wiser. So does theaudience. It's debatable how effective this film is in depicting the"real" Old West, although the dialog between the Apache characters isall in the native language. But for anyone seeking an understanding ofwarfare from celluloid, "Ulzana's Raid" must be near the top of thelist.

dmgrundy 2012-05-12 05:34:28

a re-revisionist western

In 1954, Robert Aldrich directed and Burt Lancaster starred in'Apache', a re-consideration of the negative role accorded NativeAmericans in the western film. Just under twenty years later, theyre-united for another examination of the same subject, but therevisionism this time was as much a response to the kind of film madepossible by the likes of 'Apache', as it was to the old myths ofwhooping villains (a la 'Stagecoach'). Attention is paid to creating analmost deadpan examination of the minutiae of life in the west, with aliterate script depicting the complex moral dilemmas that were faced ina time of rough-and-ready law-and-order and rampant racism. Not onlythe settings but the characters are more believable than was the normfor the western at the time (and, given such recent efforts as there-make of '3:10 to Yuma', is the norm today as well). Thus, we havesuch closely thought-through detail as the army scout shooting himselfand the settler he's escorting back to the fort, to save them frombeing tortured by the Apaches, and the tactical manoeuvres centredaround how long horses can last during a lengthy pursuit. In addition,the scout played by Lancaster isn't (as he probably would be today) the'cynical', 'world-weary' character who must redeem himself by someheroic action; rather, he's a competent professional, a man who liveswith an Apache wife but who doesn't buy the 'Little Big Man' myths ofthe peace-loving noble savage– a hippie era antidote to the racism of'classic' westerns that actually presented a view just as distorted astheirs. 'Ulzana' is far from a one-man film, though, and it's therelations between Lancaster and other characters that make it such aninteresting picture. Most notably, there's the idealistic young officer(Bruce Davison) who leads the expedition to chase Ulzana, the Apachewho's fled his reservation in frustration and is leading a war party torape and murder local homesteaders. The son of a clergyman, the youngman believes that it's "an absence of Christian feeling" that's led tothe situation of mutual enmity between white men and Native Americans;however, when he sees the aftermath of Ulzana's raids (for instance, amutilated settler has a dog's tail placed in his mouth; as Lancasterwryly observes, Apaches have a strange sense of humour), he quicklyswings to the opposite view, and wonders how Lancaster can have dealtwith the Apache for so long without hating them. The fact that mencould be so cruel offends his notion that man is essentially good("made in God's image") – particularly so when members of his owncavalry troupe start to mutilate the corpse of Ulzana's teenage son.Lancaster, though, sees through the bullshit, implicitly pointing outthat such a 'humane' viewpoint over-simplifies the questions of cultureclash caused by the white man's invasion of Native American territory.It would be easy to characterise the tribes as mistreated innocentssuffering at the hands of bloodthirsty colonialists (the hippie view),or, as the young officer does, to believe that a little talking andgood-faith would sort things out, and that both sets of men could existtogether in peace, motivated by similar feelings of love andbrotherhood, following 'good moral principles' in harmony. What thatignores, though, is the brutality present in the tribal culture (atleast, in that of the Apaches, who were feared by other tribes as wellas by the white men); commenting on the rape of white settlers, severalcharacters note that "they don't treat their own women much better." Aculture that is based around rites of manhood (as documented in 'A ManCalled Horse') and the feats of male warriors is not all thatdissimilar to that of bloodthirsty white men masquerading behindChristianity, 'the American way', or simple lust for land. Yet just asone is not going to be able to 'understand' the Apache by caricaturingthem as evil, heathen savages, one is also not going to be able tounderstand them by trying to view them as surrogate white liberals:there is a difference, an otherness which should neither beromanticised nor ignored. Appropriately enough, all Ulzana's dialogueis presented, unsubtitled, in his native tongue: no cushy Kevin Costnercharacterisations here. One might characterise this nuanced approach asre-revisionism: a corrective both to the old Hollywood myths whicheveryone by now knew to be untrue, and to the new hippie myths whichwere perhaps more 'worthy' but were also riskily naïve.

bkoganbing 2012-05-11 16:01:55

As Moral As It Can Afford To Be

If you remember in the John Wayne classic Hondo, Ward Bond comments tothe Duke about how us old scouts have to teach the young shavetaillieutenants like Tom Irish what to do with fighting the Apaches. Onjust such a mission is army scout Burt Lancaster trying to teachinexperienced young Lieutenant Bruce Davison, give him his baptism offire so to speak.Ulzana's Raid is a grim and uncompromising look at the dirty businessof what it took to subdue some of the Indian tribes. There's nothingglamorous or noble about it, nor is there any real right or wrong aboutit. A hunting and gathering society gave way to an agricultural one,the way sociologists have demonstrated since the beginning of recordedhistory. Naturally the hunters and gatherers didn't like it. In factthey downright resented it.There's ugliness and cruelty on both sides, but Davison has to learnwhat it takes to survive. Davison as the idealistic young lieutenantand Lancaster the scout have a good chemistry going. Lancaster is thevoice of experience, but Davison is in command and has to keep goodmilitary discipline among the troops. He makes mistakes, but Lancastertells him he has to live with them and learn.There is a sidebar conflict going as well between a pair ofbrothers-in- law, Joaquin Martinez in the title role as Ulzana andJorge Luke as Ken-Ni-Tay the Indian scout with the cavalry. Both theseguys are as stoic a pair of Indians as we've ever seen on film. Afavorite scene of mine from the film is when Davison tries to find outfrom Luke why the Apaches do what they do. His answers basically arethat tough living in the desert makes them that way, the differencebetween a society that's already building cities and a hunting andgathering society that's as moral as it can afford to be, especiallyagainst invaders.Ulzana's Raid is one film not for the squeamish. It's cinematography onlocation in Arizona and Nevada is first rate and Robert Aldrich getstop performances out of his whole cast. Definitely a must for westernfans.

petsteph1 2012-05-09 08:40:36

One of the Best Westerns

It's very hard to fault this one and who would want to? Burt Lancasterwith his soft spoken burr and lots of incredible scenery and credibledialogue and action. It doesn't miss a beat and informs while itexcites. So much better than 3:10 to Yuma, Dances With Wolves andLittle Big Man for the genre, free of the self-conscious'look-we're-making-a-western' feel and genuinely thrilling and morish.Not likely to be revisited in this pathetically politically correct ageand doesn't really need it. A straightforward story of a chase afterUlzana, a renegade Apache, made by Robert Alrdich with enoughsensitivity that we understand the feelings of the hunted as well asthe hunters.

TrevorAclea 2012-05-09 02:58:56

Whichever way you cut it, a great film

It's well worth tracking down Robert Aldrich's Ulzana's Raid – orrather, Burt Lancaster's Ulzana's Raid, since there are two versions incirculation: the one currently released on DVD is actually thedirector's US cut while the one on video is Burt Lancaster's Europeancut, which has the same running time but some additional footage at theexpense of some deleted scenes.It follows a cavalry patrolled by Bruce Davison's idealistic butinexperienced West Pointer and guided by Lancaster's scout in theirpursuit of a small band of Apaches who have left the reservation torekindle their 'power' by torturing and killing as many settlers asthey can find. It's a stark, brilliant film that is a notable influenceon Walter Hill's Geronimo (which even borrows from it directly on acouple of occasions), but has a level of cruelty that the later filmlacks. Unlike its contemporaries which took up the Native Americancause, this never idealises or demonises either side: even Lancaster'sscout proves catastrophically less competent in matters of strategythan in tracking or attempting to explain the enemy's way of thinking.For the most part it's a conflict between two different cultures thatcan never understand or tolerate each other, carried out almost withoutmalice despite its brutality. As Lancaster points out, "It's just theway they are. It's like hating the desert because there ain't any waterin it." With a superb screenplay by Alan Sharp, a fine Frank De Volscore and muscular, unsentimental direction by Aldrich that takes noprisoners, it's one of the key Westerns of the Seventies, even if partsof it proved too shocking for audiences for it to gain much of areputation at the time. It's strong meat, but it's more than worth theprice of admission.

golfermj 2012-05-06 19:10:19

a terrific movie

"ulzana's raid"is as good as any western that has ever been madesavage,brutal,violent it is, but is also one terrific movie.a gem of afilm by a great film director - Robert Aldridge. a great script by anEnglishman, Alan sharp i believe is his name.solid acting byall.special kudos have to go to Burt Lancaster as the tough, grizzledveteran army scout-MacIntosh.Lancaster does not look like an actorplaying in a western movie.he looks the part and lives the role, as ifhe were an army scout in Arizona during the 1880s. Lancaster has thebest lines in the movie and and for a man who was, i believe 58 yearsold at the time he made this movie,he rides a horse and handlesfirearms like real westerner.there are 3 or 4 different versions ofthis movie that have been shown over the years since its release in1972 as different distributors have cut scenes they deemed to violentand shocking."ulzana's raid"deserves to be released in a specialdirectors cut edition with all of the footage Aldridgeshot,restored,and all of the different versions combined,and of coursein "widescreen" format.i heard a rumor that such a version may exist.ihope so,but if not true,please universal pictures,do justice to thisgreat western film and lets have that widescreen directors cut specialedition.one last comment.if you love western films and you have notseen "ulzana's raid".see it,they don't make them any better.

hammjp 2012-05-06 10:12:38

One of the first "new" westerns

When I saw Ulzana's Raid the first time, it blew me away. I was used tothe"old" style westerns, good guys/bad guys John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart. Therewas a flirting in the '60s with "good" Indians - "bad" whites as well asthings like MacKenna's Gold. But a movie with no clear cut divisions, andreality based reactions (the Trooper who rides back to "aid" the settlerwoman), I wasn't used to. This was the first that I had seen that blurredthe traditional lines, and pulled no punches. I really liked thismovie.

daedia 2012-05-06 03:05:48

Get the uncut German TV-Print

There´s not much more to say about this masterpiece what´s not already inall the other comments.But a few years ago the german TV-station WDR restored Ulzana´s Raid andre-added about ten minutes of violence and sadism. Also the print in inandelicious widescreen format and the color and sound are cleaned up a lot.The only problem of course is the dubbing which is ridiculous at times,butthats no big deal compared to the possibility to see Ulzana in it´s fullversion. Get it. :)

roegrocks 2012-05-05 20:03:15

A nearly perfect western you shouldn't miss

A small group of Apaches has just stolen some horses and left thereservation. Their number and immediate intentions are unclear to thecommander of the nearest US Calvary outpost, but his youngestLieutenant wishes to give them the benefit of the doubt according tohis Christian philosophy. The Calvary's scout is a grizzled, weather-beaten man played toperfection by Burt Lancaster. He knows exactly what the Apachesintentions are, and seems flabbergasted by the commander of the basefor whom he serves. Nevertheless, he follows his orders all the whilenever missing a chance to foretell what will be the result of theCommander's delays.The premise of this movie does follow the most cynical views that onepeople may hold for another, and there's no point in arguing theiraccuracy here. Different from many other films about Indian uprisings,at least this one attempts to explain the motives of the Apaches. Toappreciate any film the premise must be "swallowed", but there are manywho will not be able to keep it down long enough to enjoy the excellentwriting, wonderful performances, and "not a frame viewed withoutpurpose" editing and directing. I recommend this film completely andconsider it an 8 out of 10, which I give to very few films.Upon the first viewing this has become one of my favorite, if not myvery favorite, western of all time. Not for the squeamish due toextreme violence to both people and animals.