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The Indian Fighter |  | Director: André De Toth
Actors: Kirk Douglas, Elsa Martinelli, Walter Matthau, Diana Douglas, Walter Abel
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $6.68
as of 11/25/2009 00:11 CST details
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New (17) Used (9) from $5.82
Rating:  11 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6
MPN: 1004532
ISBN: 0792855647
UPC: 027616885838
EAN: 9780792855644
Theatrical Release Date: 1955
Release Date: May 20, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Kirk Douglas, Walter Matthau and Lon Chaney star in this "exciting account" (Leonard Maltin) about a man who made his name fighting Indians but now must use his peacekeeping skills to keep wronged Sioux warriors from massacring a wagon train and a nearby fort! After the Civil War, Johnny Hawks (Douglas), the Indian Fighter, returns to the West and establishes a treaty with the Sioux Indians. Bu |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Kirk Douglas Walter Matthau and Lon Chaney star in this "exciting account" (Leonard Maltin) about a man who made his name fighting Indians but now must use his peacekeeping skills to keep wronged Sioux warriors from massacring a wagon train and a nearby fort!After the Civil War Johnny Hawks (Douglas) the Indian Fighter returns to the West and establishes a treaty with the Sioux Indians. But when two renegade frontiersmen (Matthau and Chaney) seeking a legendary Indian gold mine murder the brother of the Sioux chief tensions escalate endangering every man in the territory!System Requirements:Running Time: 88 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: WESTERN/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 027616885838 Manufacturer No: 1004532
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
 To me, the West is like a beautiful woman, my woman! October 5, 2009
Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela)
These sincere words express by themselves the approach of Johnny Hawks for his loved West.
Andre de Toth and Samuel Fuller were perhaps the most irreverent and demolishing directors in what concerns the official story respect the Indians.
The most remarkable aspect of this singular film resides basically in the fact Johnny Hawks is a drifter, a wanderer who loves the West in its pristine beauty. He agrees with "Red cloud" - the major chief of the Sioux - in what concerns the preservation of its forests an d rivers. He is not gained to the idea of wining the West for the white cause. Furthermore, he is in love with an Indian (Elsa Martinelli).
So, we should not surprise ourselves about the great conceptual similitude between Hawks and the starring Kevin Costner in "Dance with wolves."
The dramatic plot deals with the assigned mission for Hawks. To cross over a rampaging Indian territory and lead wagons to secure port.
But as you must suppose, there are two renegades: Chivington (Lon Chaney) and Wes (Walter Matheau) who are disposed by all their means to get the gold from the bottom of a mountain. They will be the main forces he will have to face in order to restore the delicate equilibrium between peace and war when they murder two Indians throughout the avidness for the coveted metal.
A film that is well above the average. Don't miss it.
Fun, Silly Western from the 1950s with everything but the kitchen sink! May 29, 2009
James Simpson (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's hard to dislike a film like The Indian Fighter(1956).
For one thing it's got a great cast. Kirk Douglas is the hero and Walter Matthau and Lon Chaney Jr. are the villians with Elsa Martinelli as an indian babe/love interest.
The film is directed by Andre De Toth who has made many enjoyable B-Westerns throughout the 50s and it includes plenty of the genre's most beloved cliches and more. This film's got Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance and plenty of Action to keep many a viewer interested.
The film's plot isn't so entirely original as it revolves aroung Douglas trying to keep tension at ease between the Sioux Indian Tribe and the U.S. Cavalery. Despite the title, Douglas is actually peaceful with the indians and treats them fairly, more so than other whites depicted within. He even romances the most beautiful Indian girl there is in the form of Elsa Martinelli. And who the hell can blame him?
Her introduction is a classic, beautifully realized piece of exploitation as she disrobes within the first minute of the picture(!) to take a nude swim! Awesome! It kind of saddened me that even though they do end up together, not more time was spent on this gorgeous babe and her relationship with Mr. Douglas. That's not just so myself and all the other male viewers can get a chance to ogle her perfect form but that she's actually rather interesting and her and the lead actually have chemistry! That trick she pulled on Douglas when he tried to sneak away in the night after going at with her was a classic!
The team of Walter Matthau and Lon Chaney Jr. is a little surreal, as they have such different acting styles. However it works and they are both appropiately hissable villains even if there climatic confrontation with Kirk is somewhat anti-climatic. Chaney is somewhat of a broad actor, but always brought a somewhat likeable quality to his characters, even if Horror seemed his calling. Matthau is a real bastard in this film, but I must say , it's not difficult to see how he became such a star later on.
A special nod must be given to Elisha Cook Jr. Usually cast the quintessential loser and dope in films, this picture affords him a very sympathetic sweet role as a former Civil War photographer who wishes to bring the beauty of the west to people around the world through his photography, in a way echoing that of Western filmmakers.
Douglas' character resents the idea, claiming the West as a "beautiful woman i'd rather keep to myself". The sentiment is understandable being what civilization will do the West, but respect is given to this character and frankly, this concept could have made a nice picture on it's own.
If the film has any problems, it's that it has probally too many wonderful ideas to encompass it's ninety minute length. The war between the indians and Army, the romance of Douglas and Martinelli, the plight of the Wagon Train and it's people and the gold hunting villians.
Still, this is so entertaining and fun to watch that few complaints can be brought against it. It's just such a good time.
The DVD features both Widescreen format and Pan and Scan versions of the film as well as a Theatrical Trailer.
 The Indian Fighter January 9, 2009
Patrick Mcdermott (ERIE, PA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Indian fighter .is good old fashioned Western. A great time with Kirk Douglas as a Indian fighting Guide who knows better but nobody listens to for the the good, sound advice. So as thus he has to fight! Dual romances for Douglas's Character in here.
Classic Indian Western July 24, 2007
B-Love (Virginia)
Very good movie. Good glimpse of indian life back in the Old West. The romantic twist with Kirk Douglas' character and Elsa Martinelli's character keeps it interesting.
Highly recommended.
Great Kirk Douglas Western December 18, 2006
Terence Allen (Atlanta, GA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Indian Fighter was blessed to have two great things going for it when it was made - one was Kirk Douglas, who was a standout in a number of Westerns, including Gunfight at The OK Corral, Last Train to Gun Hill, Along The Great Divide, Man Without A Star, and a number of others. The second was director Andre de Toth, who directed some great Westerns, including Ramrod, Springfield Rifle, and Riding Shotgun.
Together, they tell the entertaining story of Johnny Hawks, "The Indian Fighter," a legendary soldier who nows scouts for a living. As he tries to guide a wagon train to Oregon through Indian territory, Hawks gets in the middle of warring Indians and a defenseless fort. The Indians are upset because white men are trying to steal gold from their land, and the fort's commander is ready to fight, even if it means the death of everyone in the fort. Add Hawks' budding romance with the Indian chief's daughter, and you have lots of excitement.
This is a film that should get more attention than it does, and I hope that the DVD release will open it up to a much wider audience. The Indian Fighter is a very enjoyable Western.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
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