“It looks and feels like a small and rushed project... while occasionally good, [Van Heflin] plays a different man that is not right for the story.” Blu-ray.com · 3 years ago
The 1951 Western Tomahawk is often praised as a film that broke from the era's typical tropes by humanizing Native Americans. Directed by George Sherman, it dramatizes the Red Cloud's War of 1866 and is noted for its high degree of "historical verisimilitude" compared to other Technicolor Westerns of the time. Key Highlights
: A minor criticism often cited is the use of a "strident" and "grating" opening narration, a style popular in post-war noirs that some feel doesn't mesh well with the Western genre. Availability & Media Tomahawk (1951)
: The film stars Van Heflin as the legendary scout Jim Bridger. It also features early supporting roles from Rock Hudson and Yvonne De Carlo .
: Much like contemporary films Broken Arrow and Fort Apache , Tomahawk focuses on the injustices committed against the Sioux and the brutality of certain U.S. Cavalry members. “It looks and feels like a small and rushed project
“Sherman paints some lovely images, packs in the action, tackles tough themes, coaxes solid performances from his cast and entertains all the way.” livius1.com
: Some critics found the film's "potted history lesson" approach intelligent, while others felt it occasionally embellished historic events for dramatic effect. Key Highlights : A minor criticism often cited
: Shot in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the movie is lauded for its "handsome looking" production and well-paced action sequences.