Soldier Blue – Movie Review
Director: Ralph Nelson
Writer: Theodore V Olsen, John Gay (Screenplay)
Cast
- Candice Bergen (Sweet Home Alabama)
- Peter Strauss (Nick of Time)
- Donaldo Pleasence (Halloween)
- John Anderson (Psycho)
- Jorde Rivero (Conquest)
Plot: After a cavalry patrol is ambushed by the Cheyenne, the two survivors, a soldier and a woman, must reach the safety of the nearest fort.
Runtime: 1 Hour 55 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Soldier Blue starts when a cavalry patrol is transporting Cresta (Bergen) to safety. However, along the way they get attacked by the Cheyenne soldiers, who leave only Honus (Strauss) and Cresta alive. While Cresta has experienced living in the open before, the pair must put their difference aside to survive.
Along the way, the pair learn about each other, as they face different challenges. Honus learns more about the Cheyennes and learns about the way he has been facing. However, their new friendship is meant to be heading to safety.
Verdict on Soldier Blue
Soldier Blue is a western following two survivors of a Cheyenne attack on a calvary group. They get to know each other and learn the war has brought out the worst in people. However, they face their toughest challenge ever to stop the bloodshed.
This is an interesting Western as we get to see the two getting to know each other and learn the truth about the war. While this side is great to see. However, it has been branded controversial due to the horrific final act. This is a disturbing watch and ends up leaving us speechless at the horrors done to the people.
Final Thoughts – Soldier Blue is a disturbing Western.
2 replies on “Soldier Blue (1970) Movie Review”
Another great review. I’m not a huge fan of the western genre so I’m not sure this is a film I will see. That being said, I do enjoy classic spaghetti westerns made in the 1960’s. For instance, “The Good the Bad and the Ugly” is a classic western that has always held a precious place in my heart. I loved that film because it was really the first movie to introduce me to westerns. If you enjoyed “Soldier Blue”, then Sergio Leone’s classic western is definitely worth checking out. Here’s why I loved it:
https://huilahimovie.reviews/2024/05/17/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-1966-movie-review/
This was the height of the “revisionist” western, with strong parallels to Vietnam…not easy to watch, a bit ham-fisted but the intent was to raise issues that were difficult to brush off…great review as always