The Indian Fighter

This is an action packed western with lots of adventure and fun. More than that, it gives the viewer three great stars-Douglas, Mattheau, and Chaney in a western conflict. Douglas plays the hero, the Indian Fighter, which is itself ironic, since he really tries to battle for the Indians, whom are depicted much more honorably than the whites in this movie, as they are in most movies of the era, despite popular belief. Mattheau and Chaney play two bad guys who take advantage of the Indians. Mattheau is the sneaky one who gains the trust of people, and for a while tricks people into caring. Chaney is the dumber thug, who it turns out is not nearly as despicable as Mattheau's character, and at least has some degree of honesty, but he's still a bad guy. Still, the true evil comes from Mattheau's character. Franz is stoic and brings the necessary sad honor to the chief Indian role. Hale and other great character actors make this an added delight.

This isn't terrible as far as a typical old western. Kirk Douglas does a great job including with his stunts. What I found rather unsettling were the several scenes where he forced himself on a woman both for kissing and sex. Rather than portray it with the disdain it should have, it's presented as a happy time which turns my stomach.

The Indian Fighter (1955) is a nearly forgotten western gem about the former Indian fighter Johnny Hawks (Kirk Douglas).A war breaks out between the Indians and the whites when some of them are too interested in their gold.Walter Matthau (Wes Todd) and Lon Chaney Jr. (Chivington) are two of such people.Also Hawks' interest in the Sioux Chief's daughter Onahti (Elsa Martinelli) causes some trouble.André De Toth is the director of this western movie.Kirk Douglas has some credibility in the lead.He was just the right man to play these tough guy roles and still would be if he decided to do new movies.His ex-wife Diana Douglas plays a tough woman called Susan Rogers.Walter Matthau could be the funny man and in this movie he makes a fine crook.Lon Chaney Jr. makes a perfect accomplice to Walter.I enjoyed watching this western.It entertained me from the beginning till the end.Isn't that what a good western should do?