Soldier Blue

1h 52m 1970

Brief Synopsis

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After a cavalry group is massacred by the Cheyenne, only two survivors remain: Honus, a naive private devoted to his duty, and Cresta, a young woman who had lived with the Cheyenne two years and whose sympathies lie more with them than with the US government. Together, they must try to reach the cavalry's main base camp. As they travel onward, Honus is torn between his growing affection for Cresta, and his disgust for her anti-American beliefs. They reach the cavalry campsite on the eve of an attack on a Cheyenne village, where Honus will learn which side has really been telling him the truth.

Cast & Crew

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Ralph Nelson

Director

Candice Bergen

Cresta Marybelle Lee

Peter Strauss

Pvt. Honus Gant

Donald Pleasence

Isaac Q. Cumber

Bob Carraway

Lieut. John McNair

Jorge Rivero

Spotted Wolf

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Drama
War
Western
Release Date
Jan 1970
Premiere Information
New York opening: 12 Aug 1970
Production Company
Katzka-Berne Productions
Distribution Company
Avco Embassy Pictures Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Arrow in the Sun by Theodore V. Olsen (New York, 1969).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 52m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Synopsis

Cresta Marybelle Lee and Pvt. Honus Gant, the sole survivors of a Cheyenne massacre, set out for Fort Reunion. As they travel, the foulmouthed Cresta reveals that during two years of captivity she was the wife of Spotted Wolf, head of the raiding party, and that she now intends to marry Lieut. John McNair, her wealthy fiancé. Although menaced by a Kiowa band, the pair is allowed to proceed when Gant bests the Indian leader in a fight. When they encounter gunrunner Isaac Q. Cumber, however, Gant sets the saleman's store afire, and the infuriated Cumber shoots Gant in retaliation. In a secluded cave Cresta binds the soldier's wounds and the couple make love. Anxious for Gant's recovery, Cresta rushes to Fort Reunion. As she arrives, she learns that the cavalry is bound on a reprisal raid against the Cheyenne. Alarmed, she warns the tribe and discovers Spotted Wolf eager to make peace. Gant reaches the regiment as it, ignoring Spotted Wolf's white flag, massacres, mutilates, rapes, and pillages the Indian encampment. Horrified, he protests and is promptly arrested. Cresta chooses to remain among the survivors.

Director

Ralph Nelson

Director

Cast

Candice Bergen

Cresta Marybelle Lee

Peter Strauss

Pvt. Honus Gant

Donald Pleasence

Isaac Q. Cumber

Bob Carraway

Lieut. John McNair

Jorge Rivero

Spotted Wolf

Dana Elcar

Captain Battles

John Anderson

Colonel Iverson

Martin West

Lieutenant Spingarn

Jorge Russek

Running Fox

Marco Antonio Arzate

Kiowa brave

Ron Fletcher

Lieutenant Mitchell

Barbara Turner

Mrs. Long

James Hampton

Private Menzies

Mort Mills

Sergeant O'Hearn

Ralph Nelson

Indian agent

Aurora Clavel

Indian woman

Crew

Del Armstrong

Makeup

Frank Arrigo

Art Director

Alex Beaton

Film Editor

Roy Budd

Music

Naomi Cavin

Hairstyles

Everett Creach

2nd unit Director

John Gay

Screenwriter

William S. Gilmore Jr.

Associate Producer

Carlos Grandjean

Set Decoration

Antonio Guerrero Jr.

Production Manager

Robert Hauser

Director of Photography

Gabriel Katzka

Producer

Joseph E. Levine

Executive Producer

Eddie Little Sky

Technical Advisor

Harold Loeb

Producer

Terry Morse Jr.

Assistant Director

Arthur J. Ornitz

Director Photographer (see note)

Ted Parvin

Costumes

Buffy Sainte-marie

Composer

Barry Thomas

Sound

Herman Townsley

Special Effects

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Drama
War
Western
Release Date
Jan 1970
Premiere Information
New York opening: 12 Aug 1970
Production Company
Katzka-Berne Productions
Distribution Company
Avco Embassy Pictures Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Arrow in the Sun by Theodore V. Olsen (New York, 1969).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 52m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Exterior scenes filmed in Mexico. Arthur Ornitz was replaced as photographer several weeks into production; Robert Hauser receives screen credit.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1970

Released in United States 1970

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