Ulzana’s Raid (1972)

Ulzana’s Raid (USA, 1972) 103 min color DIR: Robert Aldrich. PROD: Carter De Haven Jr. SCR: Alan Sharp. MUSIC: Frank De Vol. DOP: Joseph Biroc. CAST: Burt Lancaster, Bruce Davison, Richard Jaeckel, Jorge Luke, Joaquin Martinez, Lloyd Bochner, Karl Swenson. (Universal Pictures)

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Many 1970s westerns portrayed the Native American as something more than mysterious savages so depicted in the works of John Ford, et al. Those which portrayed the White Man’s despicable treatment of the natives were understandably read as allegories of the Americans in Vietnam. Yet this film raises the bar bit higher, as it shows just how sophisticated the savages were, especially in military strategy. Additionally, this is one of the finest westerns to explore the familiar theme of the old journeyman clashing with the young hotshot (itself used in pictures of the time like The Wild Rovers or Doc). This picture is shocking for its violence and frank depictions of post-sexual assault trauma, and all the more because its look resembles something that Robert Aldrich would have made in the 1950s.

Burt Lancaster stars as an experienced old scout named McIntosh, whose wife is Apache, signed on to the mission led by a young commander DeBuin (Bruce Davison) promoted far too quickly, to track down the Apache renegade Ulzana, who has left his reservation and is creating a bloody trail in his flight. On the surface, this film appears to be about what happens when the children lead. DeBuin causes more danger for his regiment because of his inexperience in combat, and small understanding of his environment.

This ultimately becomes a movie about race and power. The supposed superpower cannot win in a battle where it only relies upon its weaponry. Yet the “savages” are more resourceful people who rely on many more things than brute force. In this picture, as well as in the year 1492, the white race not the ruler of the land, but a visitor. Like many native-themed westerns made in the day, Ulzana’s Raid too can draw parallels to Vietnam, especially if viewed well after the fact. I am reminded of a scene in Coppola’s Gardens of Stone, in which James Earl Jones’ character talks about a plane in Vietnam being attacked by bows and arrows. “How are you supposed to fight someone who uses bows and arrows?”

Originally published in Vol.#1, Issue #14 (“Back to the 70s”), in the article, “Once Upon a Time in the West”, about westerns released in that decade.