classicsoncall When all is said and done, the picture is pretty much an all out cowboys and Indians story, though the cowboys are replaced by the U.S. Cavalry. As in the majority of these Westerns of the Fifties, Native American characters are portrayed by white actors, an issue I don't particularly have a problem with like a lot of folks seem to. At the time, Rock Hudson would not have been such a well known personality, so his casting here seemed OK. However with the hindsight of over sixty years since the film was made, his celebrity was a bit of a distraction for this viewer.I'll say this though, even though Hudson was cast for his physique and manly good looks, you can't deny one aspect of his role as Taza, Son of Cochise. Twice in the picture he mounted his horse by virtually high jumping onto the animal's back from a standing position. The first was right after burying his father Cochise (Jeff Chandler), the second time was while preparing to lead his warriors against the Cavalry. The move is actually pretty cool, watch for it.Speaking of Chandler's Cochise, in his death scene he didn't appear to be much older than his sons Taza and Naiche (Rex Reason). So much so that I had to check; at the time of filming, Chandler would have been about seven years older than Hudson and ten years older than Reason. Not a big deal since he wasn't on screen that long, but it was noticeable nevertheless.As far as the story goes, Taza plans to follow his father's dying wish that he keep the peace with the White Man, but events and a reluctant brother thwart his efforts to reign in Mogolan Apache Chief Geronimo (Ian MacDonald) and his prospective father-in-law Grey Eagle (Morris Ankrum). Moving his tribe to the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Taza eventually sides with his native brothers to oppose the Army after General George Crook (Robert Burton) refuses to authorize reservation police to pursue and deal with Geronimo.There's a fairly exciting battle between the Apaches and the Cavalry to close out the story, but if you keep a close eye on things, you'll note a couple of filming errors. Captain Burnett (Gregg Palmer) shoots an Apache at the top of a cliff who clutches his chest, but when the Indian's hands fall away there's no hint of a bullet wound or blood. The same thing occurs when Burnett shoots Grey eagle shortly after. That's probably something you'd call an unforced error, or saving a few bucks on make-up.

bkoganbing With Jeff Chandler doing an obligatory appearance in his most famous role as Cochise the torch is passed to a new generation of Apache leaders in the persons of his sons Rock Hudson and Rex Reason. But in the title role in Taza, Son Of Cochise, Hudson seriously takes his dying father's admonition to stay on the path of peace while Reason wants to join up with Geronimo.This rivalry spills over into their personal lives as Hudson and Barbara Rush are in love, but her war like father Morris Ankrum much prefers Reason as a new son-in-law. And when the guys come courting and have to come up with presents for the father-in-law for Rush's hand Ankrum prefers the stolen white man's wampum to the humdrum Apache style gifts that are the normal course in these things.Taza, Son Of Cochise was shot in 3-D which I'm sure must have really been exciting and effective during the battle scenes especially the climax battle. I'd have liked to have seen it in a theater rather than on YouTube. Hudson does well in the starring role.Western fans should be pleased though this is far from historically accurate.

[email protected] Jeff Chandler reprises his role as Cochise (in "Broken Arrow") and, in the first ten minutes, dies after instructing his youngest son, Hudson's Taza, to keep the Apaches on the path of peace. Taza's half brother Nache (Rex Reason), however, wants to slaughter all white eyes. Barbara Rush is the Apache princess torn between the two brothers. On location, brutal desert sun, despite body make up, severely burned Hudson, mostly shirtless to exhibit his physique. Film was shot and released in 3-D with expected effects of rocks, spears, and arrows flying from the screen. As a churning Western, the Apache POV places "Taza" in a group of early 50s Westerns, such as "Broken Arrow" (James Stewart) and "The Savage" (Charlton Heston), that sided with Indians and culminated in "Apache" (Burt Lancaster). Moral score card is reckoned by pairing white and Apache villains. With brisk direction, handsome cast (notably Rush and Reason), and Technicolor capturing expanses of red-orange desert, "Taza" is respectably good of its kind. In dealing with Indians vs. whites, "Taza" may be a bit cavalier, but tongue-in-cheek? No. Hudson here was only one stair tread away from achieving major stardom in "Magnificent Obsession"--and looks it.

graham clarke One might have expected a lot more from Douglas Sirk in this, his single Western. Beautifully shot by Russell Metty who worked extensively with Sirk, it's a very routine Western of no great interest.Before Sirk hit his stride with the great melodramas he tried his hand at light romantic comedy and costume drama with pleasing if not spectacular results. He brought little if anything at all to the Western.Perhaps more than anything it's an important rung in the ladder of elevating Rock Hudson towards stardom which would come with Sirk's next film "Magnificent Obsession".Hudson is adequate in the role, but that's hardly difficult amongst some truly wooden performances. All in all something of a low point in the amazing 50's career of Douglas Sirk.