Fogbraider
This is a terrific women's film. Richard Widmark's character, Comanche Todd, is everything a man should be in the Wild West – brave, resourceful, resilient, stoical, astute, firm but fair with children, tender with women, able to lead and command, not violent by nature but able and willing to use violence to protect or avenge. Moreover, he is devastatingly handsome, with his golden tan, physical agility and unsophisticated eloquence. And this is combined with an extremely literal vulnerability: in the first scene he is captured by his brutal enemy and is dragged behind a horse, starved, parched, manacled and lashed to a wagon wheel. As the story progresses and he has to save the young people who survive the massacre of a wagon train, he is freed by gradual stages, as they come to trust him. Some commenters have complained that the action is too tame, and the threat from the Indians is not made real. Indeed, the film is family friendly, and there is no gore on screen. But we are continually reminded that Todd's every action is under the shadow of the gallows, we see and hear the Indians massed for attack, we share the tension of what might be the party's final night, and the adult viewer will be aware of what children will miss – Todd twice makes sure that their remaining three bullets are kept for the girls, to spare them the fate that befell the females of the wagon train. He fights two Indians barehanded rather than use the gun. Stoicism is a quality that is at a premium in this setting, and the member of the party who doesn't have it, the younger of two sisters, has to develop it. This is a different world from our modern one. The same man can be a hero to the young boy, Billy (Tommy Rettig), and a romantic figure to his older sister, Jenny (Felicia Farr). For most of the film, the boy is ahead of his sister in his admiration and growing affection, and gives it frank expression for both of them. The love scenes between Jenny and Todd are very well written and played. The characters are clumsy and unsubtle as they signal their interest in each other, but their sincerity saves them from awkwardness. The final courtroom scene does clunk a bit, as various members of the party give their testimony in support of Todd, apparently unasked, or in response to an unspoken, off camera gesture from the judge. But it is satisfying, nevertheless, as it ties up the character arc of each of the young people, their growth measured by their relationship with Todd, who embodies the best qualities of both the Indians and the settlers.
dmosch29
I saw the movie as a child and I was fascinated. Richard Widmark is very sexy in his role as a white man who has been raised by the Comanches. It is a movie that shows drama, history, and a nice love story. The movie addresses quite a few issues. I prefer the old westerns over the new ones anyway. My oh my, that's all that I can say about Richard Widmark in this role. I think the movie is interesting for children and adults alike. When the movie starts, Richard Widmark gives the impression of being a bad crimina. In reality, he took the law in his own hands, and he killed 4 brothers that have been responsible for the death of his loved ones. In the end it is the criminal, who teaches the people that feel hate for him, how to survive.
whpratt1
It was great viewing this 1956 film and enjoying the great acting of a very young Richard Widmark,(Comanchi Todd), "Garden of Evil",'54, where he plays a very well experienced man who can deal with almost any situation and understands the Native Americans like a book. The film has great photography through out the entire picture and brings you back to the Old West and the troubles that men and women had to face in the wilderness. Susan Kohner,(Jolie Normand), gave a great supporting role along with Nick Adams,(Ridge), both these characters had their own feels toward Comanchi Todd and some doubted if he was man enough to get them out of many death threatening situations. Comanchi Todd had his problems with a Wagon Wheel and I thought he was never going to get himself away from its burden of weight. If you are a fan of Richard Widmark, you will greatly enjoy this film which he made into a great Western Classic.
