The Indian Fighter is the title of two American Western films produced in the early and mid‑20th century.
1. The Indian Fighter (1917)
- Genre: Silent Western
- Director: Frank Borzage (unconfirmed; some sources list Harry A. Pollard)
- Principal Cast: Harry Carey, William Russell, and Claire McDowell
- Production Company: Fox Film Corporation
- Release: 1917, United States
The 1917 version is a silent‑film narrative typical of the era’s Westerns, portraying conflicts between White settlers and Native American tribes. Production details are sparse, and the film is considered lost; no known copies survive in archives.
2. The Indian Fighter (1955)
- Genre: Western
- Director: André de Toth
- Screenplay: James R. Webb (based on an original story by James R. Webb)
- Principal Cast: Kirk Douglas (Sergeant Davison), Rita Hayworth (Lt. Abigail), and Lloyd Bridges (Capt. Vann), with supporting roles by Brian Keith, Betty Hutton, and John Carradine.
- Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
- Release Date: June 7 1955 (United States)
- Running Time: 96 minutes
- Language: English
- Budget / Box Office: Approx. $1.5 million budget; grossed about $3 million domestically.
Plot Summary
Set during the Indian Wars of the 1860s, the film follows Sergeant Davison (Kirk Douglas), a career United States Army NCO stationed at a frontier outpost. He is ordered to escort a wagon train through hostile territory while simultaneously dealing with a personal conflict: his former lover, Lt. Abigail (Rita Hayworth), now an officer in the same unit, is tasked with enforcing military discipline. The narrative revolves around Davison’s attempts to protect settlers from attacks by the Cheyenne, led by Chief Little Owl, while navigating his loyalties to the army, the settlers, and Abigail.
Production and Reception
The film was produced on location in Utah and California, employing Technicolor cinematography to capture the stark western landscapes. André de Toth’s direction emphasized realistic battle sequences and moral ambiguity, a departure from the more formulaic Westerns of the era. Contemporary reviews were mixed: while Douglas’s performance and the film’s visual scope received praise, some critics considered the plot conventional. Over time, "The Indian Fighter" has been noted for its early depiction of a strong female military officer (Hayworth’s role) and for its attempt to present a more nuanced view of frontier conflicts.
Home Media and Legacy
"The Indian Fighter" entered the public domain in the United States in 1983 and has been released on various home video formats, including DVD and Blu‑ray. The film is occasionally referenced in discussions of mid‑century Westerns that blend action with character‑driven drama.
See Also
- Western (genre)
- Indian Wars (United States)
- Kirk Douglas filmography
- Rita Hayworth filmography
References
- Warner Bros. Archives, Production Files (1955).
- American Film Institute Catalog, Feature Films, 1951‑1960.
- "The Indian Fighter (1955) – Production Notes." Warner Bros. Press Kit, 1955.
Note: Information regarding the 1917 silent film is limited due to the loss of original prints and incomplete contemporary documentation.