Wuchak RELEASED IN 1975 and written/directed by Charles Pierce, "Winterhawk" chronicles events in western Montana in the 1840s when small pox breaks out in a remote tribe of Blackfoot. The titular chief (Michael Dante) goes to the New Americans to apprehend a remedy, but things don't go well and a movie-length chase ensues. Dawn Wells from Gilligan's Island plays the female lead while Leif Erickson plays a mountain man who's friends with the Blackfoot. Woody Strode, Denver Pyle, L.Q. Jones & Elisha Cook Jr. have peripheral roles.While watching, I was reminded of 1977's "Grayeagle" and therefore wasn't surprised to discover that Pierce made both films. "Grayeagle" is superior, though, and it shows that Pierce learned a thing or two while making this one two years earlier.The movie has its points of interest, like a notable cast, with great alpine locations and moments of aesthetic wonder. But it's marred by a sometimes draggy vibe with overly syrupy moments and a blaring piano-oriented score that starts to grate due to its booming redundancy. Moreover, Winterhawk (the character) is depicted as excessively mysterious, noble and superhuman, not to mention more time needed spent on his group in the chase for the simple sake of human interest. If you can handle these cavils, however, this is a worthwhile Western.Some have pointed out that "Winterhawk" is noteworthy because of its respectful view of Native Americans (who aren't really 'native' since their ancestors emigrated from Asia), yet pro-Indian Westerns actually go back to "Buffalo Bill" (1944), "Fort Apache" (1948), "Broken Arrow" (1950) and "The Last Wagon" (1956), not to mention the more contemporaneous "A Man Called Horse" (1970) and "I Will Fight No More Forever" (1975).THE FILM RUNS 98 minutes and was shot in Kalispell & Browning, Montana, and Durango & Silverton, Colorado.GRADE: B-

slbp_99 I had to watch this, thing (thats a good name for it) at school. It was just plan bad. To keep me from falling a sleep during this movie, I was making jokes just like on Mystery Science Theater 3000, to myself. Even the teacher agreed with us that is was a very bad movie. The only thing good about this movie is the ending credits. The reason is because it was the end of this awful movie. I think MST3k could have some fun with this movie. Could Charles B. Pierce be the next Ed Woods, or even the next Rick Sloane (Hobgoblins)? That is a good chance. In my opinion, DON'T SEE IT!

bux The good cast culled from Hollywood's Poverty Row cannot save this routine oater about an Indian Chief seeking aid from white men when his tribe is afflicted with small-pox. Sadly this would be the screen swan song for character actor Arthur Hunnicutt, who served so well as the side-kick in so many westerns, and notably as Davy Crockett in "The Last Command"(1955). This one is easy to pass on.

dsboud I never finished this picture so this may not be a completely fair evaluation. Seen on AMC it was introduced as a film made in the spirit of Tarentino and others like him where the film maker found his own extras and essentially financed it on a very limited budget. I watched only a half hour and kept dozing off. The actors mostly acted like they had never acted before. No emotion, no realism to what they did or said. And the score! I got so tired of hearing bass voices droning "Winterhawke" in the background that I had to mute it several times. Maybe it picks up further along and gets better. The lead lady was decent in her acting as was her little brother. Who knows, I don't expect to ever go back and find out. 1.5 stars out of 4