Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull

Movie spotlight

Sitting Bull

1954
Movie
105 min
English

Chief Sitting Bull of the Sioux tribe is forced by the Indian-hating General Custer to react with violence, resulting in the famous Last Stand at Little Bighorn. Parrish, a friend to the Sioux, tries to prevent the bloodshed, but is court- martialed for "collaborating" with the enemy. Sitting Bull, however, manages to intercede with President Grant on Parrish's behalf.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Director: Delmer DavesGenres: Western, Biography, Drama

Plot Summary

This biographical Western tells the story of the Lakota leader Sitting Bull, from his early days as a respected warrior to his defiance against the U.S. government. The film chronicles his efforts to protect his people's way of life and their sacred lands, culminating in his famous victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Despite his eventual tragic end, Sitting Bull remains an enduring symbol of Native American resistance and courage.

Critical Reception

The 1954 film 'Sitting Bull' was met with a mixed to positive reception, generally praised for its earnest portrayal of the iconic Lakota chief and its depiction of the historical conflict. While some critics found its narrative pacing uneven, many acknowledged its respectful handling of Native American themes and J. Carrol Naish's central performance. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating the Western genre elements and the historical subject matter.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its attempt to offer a sympathetic portrayal of Sitting Bull.

  • Some critics found the pacing deliberate, but appreciated the historical scope.

  • J. Carrol Naish's performance as Sitting Bull was frequently highlighted.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1954 film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

Despite being the central figure, the film was criticized by some historians for its inaccuracies and for presenting a somewhat romanticized view of historical events.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Though not particularly well strung together, this offers us an interesting look at the build up to the famous Battle of the Little Big Horn from more of the Sioux perspective. Dale Robertson is ("Parrish"), an officer who has seen at first...