ma-cortes
The flick gets noisy action , crossfire , spectacular raids , a love story , and intrigue , it is slowly but surely built up , being quite entertaining . This Cavalry vs. Indians Western , set in 1872 , when Cochise and General Howard sign a treaty , but it is broken by the white men . Then , peacemaking Apache chief Cochise (Chandler, the last of Jeff's appearances as the Apache chief) dies and handing over the reins of power to Taza (Rock Hudson , Sirk's favorite actor) . When tomahawk and carbine split the West asunder appeared Taza . Then , the Chiricahua Apaches are torn between following Cochise's peace loving son Taza and his brother Naiche (Rex Reason) who is following the warlike renegade Apache warrior Geronimo (Ian McDonald), chief of Apaches Chiricaguas and his band of rebel Indians , the most blood-thirsty of Apaches . But in San Carlos reservation happens the riots , as the hopelessness of resistance against a foe you know you can't beat originate the rebellion . They will confront American cavalry in charge of General Crook (Robert Burton) and his officials . As the fate of the great Southwest lays in his hands , for this war the hour of decision in the last and deadliest of the Indian wars . Enjoyable chronicle of Taza , Cochise'son , and his tribe isolated at Saint Carlos reservation and the strong fight between the Apache tribe led by Geronimo and the US cavalry , sustaining the interest for quite a while . This moving movie is an epic portrait of the historic story about the celebrated Indian battles against the USA cavalry , being inaccurate historically . As it has a highly fictionalized account of Taza's life , although famed Apache war chief Cochise did indeed have a son named Taza . An-Universal-International-Picture gets Western action , shootouts , romance , breathtaking raids on fort , colorful outdoors with big skies , being wonderfully photographed by Russell Metty and turns out to be fun . It's a medium budget film with good actors , technicians , production values and pleasing results . This Indian-on-the-warpath tale is based on historical characters : Cochise , Taza , Geronimo , Mangus , general Howard , and general Crook who tries to subjugate the great Apache warrior . At the ending , when takes place the Indian ambush , possesses all the sweep , grandeur and noisy action of the greatest Westerns of an age long past . Cast is pretty good . As Rock Hudson is acceptable as the known Apache who attempts to keep the peace between US cavalry and Indians . Rock gives category to the role , providing courage and uprightness . As well as the gorgeous Barbara Rush ; and Gregg Palmer as Capt. Burnett is nice as a honorable officer who is in charge of maintaining law and order . Fine acting from a great support cast such as : Rex Reason , Morris Ankrum , Eugene Iglesias , Robert Burton , Joe Sawyer and Lance Fuller . The best acting is given by Ian MacDonald as Geronimo who provides stature to the character , delivering sincerity and bravura . Brief interpretation from Jeff Chandler , he was known , until his early death , for playing Indian chief Cochise , a dignified portrait well shown in : ¨Broken arrow¨ (50) by Delmer Daves , that was acclaimed as the first Hollywood movie to side with the Indians , the first time the Red Indian was depicted as a human being rather than a brute savage merely to bite the dust at the hands of the US cavalry , as well as ¨Battle of Apache Pass¨ (1952) and ¨Taza , son of Cochise¨ (1954) , this latter Jeff/Cochise is briefly glimpsed as a dying man at the beginning . This trilogy of the Apache chiefs result to be one of the best considering some of the other attempts to portray the Apache war leaders .This motion picture was professionally directed by Douglas Sirk in colorful style and 3D , though has a few flaws . Douglas Sirk often cited this film as the favorite of his own films since he always wanted to make a Western . The great filmmaker Sirk later to shot the most successful of the Rock's fifties films , his fetish actor , such as : A time to love a time to die , Magnificent obsession , All that heaven allows , Battle hymn , and Written on the wind .
classicsoncall
When all is said and done, the picture is pretty much an all out cowboys and Indians story, though the cowboys are replaced by the U.S. Cavalry. As in the majority of these Westerns of the Fifties, Native American characters are portrayed by white actors, an issue I don't particularly have a problem with like a lot of folks seem to. At the time, Rock Hudson would not have been such a well known personality, so his casting here seemed OK. However with the hindsight of over sixty years since the film was made, his celebrity was a bit of a distraction for this viewer.I'll say this though, even though Hudson was cast for his physique and manly good looks, you can't deny one aspect of his role as Taza, Son of Cochise. Twice in the picture he mounted his horse by virtually high jumping onto the animal's back from a standing position. The first was right after burying his father Cochise (Jeff Chandler), the second time was while preparing to lead his warriors against the Cavalry. The move is actually pretty cool, watch for it.Speaking of Chandler's Cochise, in his death scene he didn't appear to be much older than his sons Taza and Naiche (Rex Reason). So much so that I had to check; at the time of filming, Chandler would have been about seven years older than Hudson and ten years older than Reason. Not a big deal since he wasn't on screen that long, but it was noticeable nevertheless.As far as the story goes, Taza plans to follow his father's dying wish that he keep the peace with the White Man, but events and a reluctant brother thwart his efforts to reign in Mogolan Apache Chief Geronimo (Ian MacDonald) and his prospective father-in-law Grey Eagle (Morris Ankrum). Moving his tribe to the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Taza eventually sides with his native brothers to oppose the Army after General George Crook (Robert Burton) refuses to authorize reservation police to pursue and deal with Geronimo.There's a fairly exciting battle between the Apaches and the Cavalry to close out the story, but if you keep a close eye on things, you'll note a couple of filming errors. Captain Burnett (Gregg Palmer) shoots an Apache at the top of a cliff who clutches his chest, but when the Indian's hands fall away there's no hint of a bullet wound or blood. The same thing occurs when Burnett shoots Grey eagle shortly after. That's probably something you'd call an unforced error, or saving a few bucks on make-up.
bkoganbing
With Jeff Chandler doing an obligatory appearance in his most famous role as Cochise the torch is passed to a new generation of Apache leaders in the persons of his sons Rock Hudson and Rex Reason. But in the title role in Taza, Son Of Cochise, Hudson seriously takes his dying father's admonition to stay on the path of peace while Reason wants to join up with Geronimo.This rivalry spills over into their personal lives as Hudson and Barbara Rush are in love, but her war like father Morris Ankrum much prefers Reason as a new son-in-law. And when the guys come courting and have to come up with presents for the father-in-law for Rush's hand Ankrum prefers the stolen white man's wampum to the humdrum Apache style gifts that are the normal course in these things.Taza, Son Of Cochise was shot in 3-D which I'm sure must have really been exciting and effective during the battle scenes especially the climax battle. I'd have liked to have seen it in a theater rather than on YouTube. Hudson does well in the starring role.Western fans should be pleased though this is far from historically accurate.
laursene
Maybe someone knows something more about this: I once read part of an interview with Rock Hudson in which he said that Taza, Son of Cochise was "one of the great tongue-in-cheek westerns of all time." He didn't pursue the pint, so I'm not sure what it is that's tongue-in-cheek about the film. However, Hudson did say that he and Sirk and company had a great time making it. I'd love to find a video of this seldom-seen film and check it out, but perhaps someone has an inkling?
