Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Indian Fighter Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 16, 2017

1955’s “The Indian Fighter” is one offering in a wave of Hollywood westerns where the concept wasn’t to vilify Native American characters, but try to understand the concerns of the First Nation as it dealt with the terror of settlers. With star Kirk Douglas around, deeply felt sympathies aren’t readily available, but the production at least makes an attempt to be gentle around cultural divides, delivering a story that’s big on action and debate, but also wrestling with a love story that doesn’t belong in the mix.

Douglas portrays Hawks, a trail guide with a reputation as a man brave enough to battle Indians. However, his need to maintain the Oregon Trail has softened his stance with the local Sioux tribe, even lusting after Onahti (Elsa Martinelli), the comely daughter of the native chief. Complications involving settler violence arises, wedging Hawks between worlds as he seeks peace, often through violent means. Hawks is an ideal role for Douglas, who gives his customary all to the role, leaping around the frame with verve as he tries to prop up “The Indian Fighter” with sheer star power. The effort is appreciated, as director Andre De Toth seems more interested in the feature’s heavenly Oregonian locations than the unfolding story, saving a little leer for Martinelli, who spends a good chunk of the endeavor frolicking and bathing in the nude.

The Indian Fighter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "The Indian Fighter" has some life to it. There are period cinematography limitations, and this isn't the sharpest looking feature, but it does fine with CinemaScope expanse and thespian presence, encouraging texture on location shooting and costuming. Rare use of close-ups is also appealing. Colors are subjected to fade and remain interesting, offering bolder reds and deeper greenery that brings out the essentials of the Oregon shoot. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent shape, without overt points of damage.

The Indian Fighter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While dealing with a thundering premise of war and travel, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is merely functional, never remarkable. Hiss is present throughout the listening experience, and volume is lower than normal, requiring some dial riding to bring it back to life. Scoring is acceptable, without pristine instrumentation. Sound effects are snappier, and atmospherics emerge as intended.

The Indian Fighter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Toby Roan.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:25, SD) is included.

The Indian Fighter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gun fights and CinemaScope sweep charge the viewing experience, and a message of tolerance, however small it ends up being, is worth savoring, with the productions doing what it can to play kindly and roughhouse with cowboys, often at the same time. "The Indian Hunter" doesn't add up to much, but it's entertaining at times, periodically exciting. And when all else fails the feature, it does carry itself with real genre presence, filling the frame with gunslingers, wagon-bound settlers, and Native American issues, trying to be as big as possible with a limited imagination.