CHEYENNE AUTUMN (1964) C widescreen 159m dir: John Ford

w/Richard Widmark, Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, James Stewart, Edward G. Robinson, Sal Mineo, Dolores Del Rio, Ricardo Montalban, Gilbert Roland, Arthur Kennedy

This is an epic retelling of a true incident in the history of the American frontier. It's about the migration of a tribe of half-starved Cheyenne Indians from their barren reservation in Oklahoma to their home ground in Wyoming. The treacherous journey tests the Cheyenne people's courage and stamina, and their trek is further endangered as the Cavalry sets out to prevent their exodus.

From The Movie Guide: "Stunningly photographed by William Clothier, the film, in true Fordian fashion, once again makes fine use of that great western icon, Monument Valley. The acting, too, is generally quite good, some of it (Widmark, Robinson, Del Rio) squarely on the mark, some of it (Malden, Baker, Stewart) a trifle off-key at times. No single actor, however, stands out in CHEYENNE AUTUMN: it is ultimately the director's picture, and represents Ford's attitude toward the Native American coming around full circle.

"From the nameless vicious hordes of STAGECOACH to the Comanche chief of THE SEARCHERS who is equated with the equally racist 'hero,' the Native American has by the time of CHEYENNE AUTUMN become the hero deserving of our sympathy and respect. Flawed on several levels, Ford's perception of a proud people seen through a white man's eyes is ultimately a highly compelling and deeply personal apologia."

Clothier was nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography.