vincentlynch-moonoi This is very much a Western, except that it takes place in the Everglades. This time they aren't Sioux or Navajo, but Seminoles. But make no mistake...this is pretty much a Hollywood Western. Which is okay...and I still give it some bonus points for taking place during the Seminole Wars...something not covered very much in American cinema.We don't really learn much about Chief Osceola and the Seminole Indian Wars. But what we do see is the personal battle between a commanding officer (Richard Carlson) and his lieutenant (Rock Hudson). And we see the beauty of the Everglades (and yes, much of the film was actually shot in the Everglades), and in stunning color. Anthony Quinn is here as Osceola, but it's not a particularly good role for Quinn. I don't know enough about the real history of this time period in Florida, but I'm sure the film is ridiculously un-historic. Certainly the way they present Osceola dying is totally incorrect. And, while there appear to be Seminole Indians in the cast, all the speaking parts of Seminole Indians are actually white actors with heavy makeup (such as Hugh O'Brian...who is laughable).So, taken with a grain...or maybe a cartload...of salt, it's a good enough Western, and Rock Hudson does nicely here. I'm undecided about Richard Carlson's acting here. It is good to see Barbara Hale in the lead female role; she was a better actress than usually credited. And, they managed to wring out a somewhat happy ending in what was in reality a sad affair.

weezeralfalfa To Major Degan(Richard Carlson), commander of Fort King, in Florida's Seminole-dominated region, the only good Indian is a dead Indian. The historic Fort King was located in north central Florida, in the present city of Oscola. However, the events of this film are pictured as taking place in the Everglades, well to the south, south of Lake Okeechobee. This story is said to have taken place in 1835, when the 2nd Seminole War began, lasting until 1842. This war was instigated by increased demands of white settlers for new land, and the refusal of most Seminoles to honor the Treaty of Payne's Landing, which required them to move to Oklahoma within 3 years. Many chiefs said they were not present to consider the treaty or said they were forced to sign it. During this war, frequent raids on settlers and Indian villages were perpetrated. The official policy of the army was to kill any Indians who resisted capture to be resettled. However, it's clear by his actions and words that Major Degan preferred killing to capturing Indians. During the one campaign we witness, he has his men bayonet what looked like sleeping Indians rolled up in a blanket. They were filled with grass, as the Indians had been following the troop's movements in their "surprise" attack. Instead, the Indians sprang a surprise attack on the troops. The nearby chief called Osceola was renowned for his elusiveness. The capture of Osceola(Anthony Quinn)was Degan's prime objective at present. He had failed to capture him by an armed invasion, hence he decided to try treachery, inviting him to come under a flag of truce to discuss things. Osceola was immediately beaten, and put in 'the pit': a hole in the ground into which rainwater collected. Osceola died there, apparently of a combination of being stabbed and drowning. The chief who stabbed him said he violated the trust of his people, hence deserved to die.. The real Osceola was captured thus, but died in a prison in South Carolina some months later.Throughout the film, Major Degan's main nemesis within the fort was young Lt. Caldwell(Rock Hudson), who had much experience with the Seminoles and knew their language. He didn't favor relocating them in Oklahoma, and went by a conservative policy in killing them. Degan got irate with Caldwell periodically, and threatened him with court martial for insubordination. Barbara Hale plays Revere, who had a romance going with both Caldwell and Osceola. The latter looked the more real. But, Revere's main role is as a go-between Osceola and Degan.The film begins and nearly ends with Caldwell's court martial. The ending is a surprise, although it's hard to imagine this being realistic.Lee Marvin plays Sergeant Magruder, who occasionally shows up, usually being assigned under Lt. Caldwell...An unrecognizable Hugh O'Brien plays the chief Kajeck, who stabs Osceola. Probably, the most interesting part for me is the trek through the (real) Everglades by the army, with the changing nature of the mostly difficult terrain. It took quite a few men to push and pull a wagon containing a cannon. In one spot, it sank into a deep hole. Degan chewed out Caldwell for choosing to save the injured man laying on top of the cannon rather than the cannon.This is a fairly interesting film that illustrates the common problem of subordinate officers not agreeing with a policy of the commanding officer, and hoping to get their point across.This film came out just 2 year after "Distant Drums", staring Gary Cooper, again about problems with the Seminoles in the 2nd Seminole War. Difficult trekking in the Everglades is also featured. It deals more with stopping gun runners. I would rate the present film above that one, although most of the Seminoles look much more authentic.This film is available on a cheap DVD in an 8 pack of westerns, even though technically, it's a 'southern'

Alan Cole I have been all over Florida, but have never seen anywhere so exotic looking as the swamp in the film where they paddled through. I have been throughout the Everglades and recognize similarities with much of the film's scenes. Though it is beautiful, I have never seen the unreal beauty shown in the film in the one scene where they are paddling. Where is it... exactly. Someone thought it may be someplace in Tarpon Springs. But, I have searched the internet for a place that might match it. Still nothing. There are plants in the scene that I don't even recognize. They look Floridian, but better than real. My suspicion is that it was what Florida looked like in a less touched era. It is so beautiful that I want to go there tomorrow. But where?

alexandre michel liberman (tmwest) Before his famous films with Randolph Scott, Budd Boetticher made some excellent westerns and Seminole is one of them. The most impressive thing about it is the scenery, the beautiful colors, the everglades, the body painting and the costumes of the Seminoles. Rock Hudson is Lt. Lance Caldwell that goes to Fort King in Florida but does not get along with his superior officer Maj. Harlan Degan (Richard Carlson). Also his girlfriend Revere (Barbara Hale) seems distant. Both Caldwell and Revere had a common friend, half Seminole, who has disappeared. Degan wants to catch the Seminoles off guard and forces his men to go on a senseless mission on the everglades,carrying an enormous cannon. The group is not prepared to face the savage jungle, their own uniforms look out of place in that heat, where they are constantly sweating. Most of the film is told in flashback when Caldwell is in a court martial. This is an eastern western, entertaining, that did not age and that shows the Seminoles with respect and dignity.