tmwest

(2012-04-22 18:33:46)

Outguessing the enemy was the key to survival

During years I avoided seeing `Ulzana's Raid' because the title gave me theidea that it was a spaghetti western of which I had seen my share. I saw ita couple of days ago and was impressed. This is a film that goes into themind of the Indian , and also of the Lieutenant whose father is a ministerand has strong Christian feelings. The two of them live in two differentworlds and for the officer to understand Ulzana is a very hard task, itdoes not relate to anything his father taught him. Nevertheless figuring outUlzana isessential for his mission and he is coached into that by Burt Lancaster andKe-Ni-Tay, an Indian scout. Ulzana kills every homesteader he finds, he mustknow that ultimately he is going to be caught, it is just a question oftime. Lancaster is a master in strategy, but so is Ulzana, who at timesseems like a maestro orienting his men. The brains here count more than theweapons. This is Aldrich's best film, he redeemed himself from `The LastSunset.'

ksundstrom

(2012-04-22 07:04:11)

Questioning...?

Permit an additional comment to all the others. So there will be nodescription like the worthy others - just some other views about theclash of forces that formed America. So forceful in American thinkingis Fords forceful and disdainful remark about the value of history:'All history is bunk', that Hollywood with its European talent haschallenged that thought. But in many, many comments of films on IMDbone has to observe reluctantly that history seems to have noimportance. First comment - so it will be history! Americans arrivingfrom the East, those who contributed most to American development, camefrom Europe. Europe had been ravaged by famines, wars, social classstrife, that America - the promised land in the letters sent home toEurope - appeared as the only future for a better life. Many whoarrived were formed by viscousness. There is thus plenty of this in thefilm expressed by the Americans soldiers of European origins, even morehardened and cynical after the American war of Independence. This is tobe accepted - however difficult for Americans to-day. Second comment -the destruction of the Indians. In the broad sweep of indo-Europeanhistory, this was just a minor incident in the European history. Wholeraces in Europe were exterminated from Portugal to the Urals (a widthnot much different from west to east in America) in the most brutalfashion, for example, the moguls of Gengis Khan and even the Frenchduring the Saint Barthelemy massacre 1572 or the persecution in Italyof Savonarola 1498 and the subsequent period of the Roman CatholicInquisition. This history and much more was in the backbone of theEuropeans who built up America. So the Indians and their demise wasjust part of a terrible human pageantry. Third comment - the filmraises such issues of human cruelty, survival, race, development, inthe new world of America. That is its merit par excellence, thanks tothe writer, director, actors and the photography. A film that provokesquestioning and thought.

thinker1691

(2012-04-21 14:21:55)

" Just remember, . . the first one to make a mistake, gets to burying people "

Native Americans living on Reservations have been condemned to slowdeath. Once when they were masters of the open range, they knew noboundaries and their lives were rich with spirit power. Traditionrequired all Indian men to have power, without it, they wither and die.From the time one is born, it's a daily struggle to acquire power.After death, such warriors return as powerful spirits of the naturalworld. This is the basis for this film entitled " Ulzana's Raid." It isthe 1880's in the Western Arizona frontier and an unscrupulousgovernment agent has been short-changing the tribal people of theirmeager meat supplies, so much so a small group of Apaches, led by astrong leader named Ulzana, (Joaquin Martinez) who with a dozen bravesbreak out from the reservation and go on a war party to live free inthe deserts. Because theirs will be a wild and destructive raid, thefort commander assigns his chief scout McIntosh (Burt Lancaster), ayoung Lt. Garnett Debuin (Bruce Davison) and an Indian guide andtracker named Ke-Ni-Tay (Jorge Luke) to 'persue with all due vigor' theescaping hostiles. Accompanying the patrol is an experienced armySergeant, played by Richard Jaeckel. The fine cast also includesLancaster's friend Nick Cravat and Richard Farnsworth as army troopers.As the renegade Apache are tracked, their destructive trail iscollectively made up of death, rape and torture. The action, drama andsuperior confrontations are manifest and definitely the stuff of film.With little effort, this is not only a vehicle for Young BruceDavidson, but a superior milestone for Burt Lancaster as he adds thiswestern Classic to his distinguished repertoire. ****

tom-darwin

(2012-04-20 21:38:36)

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.

kayaker36

(2012-04-15 10:21:09)

Nobility and Cruelty

If you listen carefully you can hear a few lines in the Apache languagenear the beginning of this picture. Before departing the reservationthe veteran scout MacIntosh (Lancaster) seeks information about hisadversary by questioning several elders of the Apache tribe through thenative auxiliary Ke-Ni-Tay.Like their cousins the Navajo, the Athabascan-speaking Apacheunquestionably migrated from the far North to the American Southwest,though just when this happened is still debated. Taller and fiercerthan the Pueblos and Yumans they found there, and possessing the arcticbow, the Apache soon dominated the whole region though they were pushedout of the easternmost part by the equally warlike Comanche. This picture presents the Apache in all their cunning and savagery, asmany other posters have noted. This is a character-driven narrativewith a straightforward plot. "Why are your people so cruel?" asksLieut. DeBuin of Ke-Ni-Tay. "You do not understand," Ke-Ni-Taycomments, to which the green and idealistic officer replies "I **want**to understand".In a less carefully written script, the juvenile role of Lieut. DeBuincould have come off simply as a spoiled brat or a clueless male ingГѓВ©nuewhose mistakes have to be redeemed with the blood of his men. But hehas noble qualities. These are revealed subtly and gradually as thestory progresses until the final salute, when we see this young officeras a true leader of men.Terrific performances by veteran Richard Jaeckel (catch him in theoriginal **3:10 to Yuma**), by Jorge Luke, by Lancaster and by youngBruce Davison in a sensitive portrayal of Lieut. DeBuin.

Theo Robertson

(2012-04-15 02:54:01)

Not A Western - A Great Film

I hate westerns so why do I adore ULZANA`S RAID ? Simple - it`s not awestern Question : What`s the connection between M.A.S.H , TOO LATE THE HERO andCHATO`S LAND ? The answer is they`re all Vietnam allegories . The Hollywoodconservative establishment didn`t allow film makers to voice their commentson the war unless they agreed with it ( Witness the trainwreck that is THEGREEN BERETS ) so the only way auteurs could get round this was if theydressed their stories up as something else . Add ULZANA`S RAID to thelistScottish screenwriter Alan Sharp has written a great script . It has asimple premise which is usually the sign of a good film . US troops go afteran Apache war party . There that`s it the entire premise and a tightlyplotted one at that , something that is not often seen in Hollywood scriptsnowadays . And being a `Nam allegory there`s a lot of character interactionbetween a naive inexperienced officer and his men who are grizzled veterans. Sharp has also made a barbed comment on audience identification , everyonecan relate to the white American soldiers while no one can relate to theApaches murdering and raping homesteaders , but the homesteaders aresurrogate Vietnamese , so at the same time ULZANA`S RAID representscontempary America through both the white calvarymen and the Apache ,something no one seems to have picked up on , but certainly deliberate onthe part of Sharp Flaws ? Well I do think the film deserved a bigger budget than the reported1.2 million dollars , sometimes the production feels like a TVM while themusic swings between a genre western score and a romantic comedy , believeme no one will confuse ULZANA`S RAID with a rom-com . But these minor flawsdon`t stop ULZANA`S RAID from being a great film due to the script , thecast and director Robert Aldrich

loydmooney

(2012-04-10 18:06:37)

wow

It is precisely this kind of western that shows what happens when thespaghetti westerns hit the fan. The realism of something like thisutterly shames them into silence and their dumb close ups of bloodshoteyes and badly dubbed mouths. This is the real deal.If somebody said it is the most powerful western ever made, they wouldget no argument from me. Even the dust in this film is grittier thanany I ever saw. Robert Aldrich would laugh his big gut off, however, atall the suggestions of this being a Vietnam allegory: read some of hiswry commentaries about other highfalluten misreadings of his stuff,especially his Mickey Spillane opus. Nope this is just one greatwestern without any leakage from the twentieth century thank you, infact, just the opposite, it does about as good a job of reallytransporting you to the nineteenth and the west as there is. Man, what a good director Robert Aldrich was. One of the last of thereally good ones.

youngfransis

(2012-04-10 12:11:07)

Didn't like it, Too Stereotypical

As you can see by a couple of comments already left, this movie is not"PC". In fact, I'd say it's a fantasy movie or, perhaps a politicalthriller? I find it funny that throughout the entire movie, the Nativesare regarded as savages. The movie makes you believe that they wereALWAYS savages and the White Man had nothing to do with it. They don'tgo into the HORROR of reservation life or the events leading to theimprisonment of these natives. Genocide was committed in that time, butlet's not talk about that. Let's make a movie glorifying the HUNT of arenegade group of Apaches trying to fight a war using the EXACT SAMEtactics their enemy uses. Let's all enjoy and rate a movie that tellsthe TRUE stories of the Calvary slaughtering woman, children, oldpeople and men. Let's rent a movie about the people and culture that nolonger exist due to the U.S. policy to extinguish the Indian populationwhile we enjoy a nice bowl of popcorn. I'm not buying the message thatis being sent through this movie.

thomas196x2000

(2012-04-09 18:44:02)

Oddball Western

I remember seeing this movie as a kid and finding it truly repellent. Idon't really care about the politics of the film, or as one yakkingposter went on and on about how "unfair" the Indians were treated, blahblah blah.Lancaster is wasted here...his part could have been played by anyonefrom Warren Oates to Simon Oakland. Doesn't matter. There is not onesympathetic or even interesting character, excepted perhaps BruceDavison's. The Ulzana of the title isn't interesting, compelling orheroic no matter which "side" you might empathize with. You wish allthe characters would just go to Hell.The reality is that this is one boring film, punctuated by scenes thatare disgusting and foul. It's beyond me how some might find thisentertaining. Beware.Some movies you have never heard of for good reason. Here is an exampleof a good reason.

latsblaster

(2012-04-09 06:29:27)

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.

NewEnglandPat

(2012-04-07 02:56:09)

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.

elcoat

(2012-04-06 04:54:56)

One of the two greatest Westerns.

... the other being The Searchers, of course.Bruce Davison's Lt. DeBuin could have as easily been a new lieutenantfresh out of West Point in Viet Nam. The film educates the viewer onthe reality of those times and responsibilities and human responses tothem.Lancaster is perfectly cast as the aging scout who has come to respectand like one of the fiercest and at that time least likable NativeAmerican peoples. (There were two other Lancaster Westerns at about thetime of this one: The Lawman, and Valdez Is Coming.) But the mostfascinating and illuminating character is Apache Scout Ke-Ni-Tay,thanks to Jorge Luke's restrained acting.Indeed, it is the young Apache Scout's and young Army lieutenant'smeeting, exchanges, and ultimate mutual understanding and respect -enabled and encouraged by the wise, fatherly scout, and shared by theaudience - which is the crux of this film.This little-known film everyone should see, before they pass judgmenton those times and places and how people there handled them.Lou Coatney

(2012-04-06 06:58:10)

Interestingly Grim

Burt Lancaster and Bruce Davidson are heading a Calvary squad out to stopUlzana, a renegade Apache who's left the reservation and is now happilyslaughtering every white he can find. Movie does a good job of beingclear-eyed -- neither side is romanticized, the conflict causes both sidesto do horrible things. Davidson is morally repelled and troubled by it all,but Lancaster's attitude of weary acceptance wins the day. Violent but toomuch has been made of that -- you've seen worse, trust me. Sometimesconsidered a Vietnam allegory, with army men in the wilderness beset byclever indigenous foes; I think this interpretation is overdrawn,though.

esteban hernandez

(2012-04-06 04:10:01)

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.

Bill Creed

(2012-04-05 09:56:12)

One of Aldrich's most thoughtful, a great movie for its time

Seeing Ulzana's Raid now, almost thirty years later, makes one realize howmuch things have changed. More than a western, the film was commenting onmuch of what was happening at the time. I refer of course to the Vietnamwar. The innocence of the lieutenant, the sympathy for the Apaches andtheir different culture, the conflicts among the whites and among theApaches, all reverberated more at the time. Few movies today seem to dealwith any content, much less political. American movies exist for thrillsand business. The late sixties and early seventies were a great time forAmerican movies: they allowed us to look at ourselves and engage in alarger debate. One can talk about Ulzana's Raid in ways that Exit Wounds oreven Hannibal can't even approach. American films today areself-reverential. They are about movies, not about the world around them.I say this because I am afraid many people who see this film now won'tappreciate the richness Aldrich and screenwriter Sharp bring to the film.

lost-in-limbo

(2012-04-04 19:52:22)

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 naГѓВЇve 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. JoaquГѓВ­n MartГѓВ­nez 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.

documain-1

(2012-04-02 23:00:14)

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.

ULZANA

(2012-04-02 14:58:40)

Why I chose my user name.......

When friends ask me to name my favourite 5 films this is the one that theyhave never heard of.To my mind it is the most accomplished western thathasever been made(although soldier blue comes a good second,It tells the story of an apache(ulzana)and his gang and their bid forfreedom from the constraints of a reservation with little food and verylittle hope.Burt Lancaster plays an army scout sent to track the renegadesalongside a platoon of indian hating soldiers and their inept and illequipped leader.Although the film follows a predictable course it is the tension and underglorified violence that sets this apart from others of the genre.I foundthat I had sympathy for most of the main characters at different points inthe film but ultimately I felt like Lancaster the futility of itall.Please see this film at least then you will know all my top 5.

sychonic

(2012-04-01 22:09:12)

Among the best westerns made

This is one of those movies that seems to have a lot more action thanit does. It follows a young cavalry lieutenant, sent to bring arenegade Apache back to the reservation. Ulzana, reminiscent ofGeronimo, leads a small band of Indians on a bloody raid of settlershomes. This is one of those rare movies that has a very methodical plotand very few illusions. Lancaster is pretty good as the tired veteran,and Bruce Davidson turns in a pretty good performance as an idealisticsoldier whose views of the world are deeply shaken by what he sees. Even more surprising is the portrayal of the Apaches. They're notmenacingly evil subhumans as in some early westerns, but neither arethey the always humane and sensitive pseudo flower children caricaturesas in "Little Big Man" or "Dances With Wolves". They're extremelyviolent, ruthless, and cruel--however the movie doesn't set them up asnecessarily the bad guys. They're just the adversary. At one point Lancaster's character says "Hating the Apache is likehating the desert because there isn't any water in it." (Or somethingsimilar.) That line really sums up the movie in my view. There isn't much black or white here, just two groups of men--and it isa masculine movie--using their stamina, wiles, and tactics in a game ofcat and mouse. There are some violent scenes, but never gratuitous; thescenes can be unsettling, but its not really gruesome. Well done.

bkoganbing

(2012-04-01 08:41:21)

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.