"Unconquered" is based on a 1947 novel, "The Judas Tree," by Neil H. Swanson. Swanson was a popular writer of historical fiction. The story is about the dangerous time of the18th century uprising of several American Indian nations and tribes in the Great Lakes region. While the history and violence of the period are accurate, some of characters are fictitious. And, the dates and setting are revised.
The story takes place in what was then called the Northwest Territory - later, the Ohio Territory (1787-1803) after the United States independence. The officers, soldiers and forts in the story are all British, including Col. George Washington (played by Richard Gaines). That dates it to before the American Revolution of 1965-1783. And yet, it has to be after the Seven Years War (aka French and Indian War) that ended with the redcoats defeat of the French in 1763. So, that puts it right at 1763-1764 to square with all the historical dates.
The various American Indian groups are now upset with British policies and are united by Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa and the Hurons in an effort to stop the white encroachment into their tribal lands. (An interesting footnote here is that after the American Revolution, the British supported the Indians in the Northwest Indian War with the United States over control of the territory.)
This is a very good film for its portrayal of those times - the land, the people, the culture, costumes, etc. The grandeur of the setting is characteristic of the film's director and producer, Cecil B. DeMille. It has an air of auathenticity and realism as though one were right in the scenes. One other reviewer noted the historical inaccuracy of horses for the Indians. Only native Americans of the Plains States and far West had horses after these were reintroduced to North America by the Spanish explorers of the 16th Century through Mexico.
The cast is superb, and includes several well-known actors of the day besides Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard in the leads. Cooper is Capt. Christopher Holden, but one isn't quite sure what the "Captain" refers to. When he dresses up for the queen's ball at Fort Pitt, his formal uniform is blue while all of the British officers are in red. Yet, he takes orders from the British officers, including George Washington. Goddard plays Abigail Martha Hale (Abby), who is arriving in the colonies to be sold at auction as a slave. She had been convicted by a British court as a felon.
The story of Holden's and Abby's meeting and meeting again and again is a bit far-fetched. Also, his position with the military and secrecy of his mission is a bit mystifying. But, the cast and crew put on a good show and entertaining film. Oh, yes, Boris Karloff plays the Seneca Indian chief, Tishomingo. While the plot evolves all around the Indian uprising, and there are some good individual action scenes, the film has only one actual battle scene toward the end.
Early pioneer films, often with American Indian skirmishes like this one were fairly common into the late 1950s. But, it seems that all the good novels and stories about pioneer times have bene made and/or there isn't much interest in those times among the modern generations. Now, audiences seem to want more and more sci-fi.
Movie buffs and those interested in pioneer times and history should enjoy this film. My favorite line is spoken by Victor Varconi who plays Capt. Simeon Ecuyer: "Marriage frees you from slavery, Mrs. Holden. It won't do a thing for you, sir."
The story takes place in what was then called the Northwest Territory - later, the Ohio Territory (1787-1803) after the United States independence. The officers, soldiers and forts in the story are all British, including Col. George Washington (played by Richard Gaines). That dates it to before the American Revolution of 1965-1783. And yet, it has to be after the Seven Years War (aka French and Indian War) that ended with the redcoats defeat of the French in 1763. So, that puts it right at 1763-1764 to square with all the historical dates.
The various American Indian groups are now upset with British policies and are united by Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa and the Hurons in an effort to stop the white encroachment into their tribal lands. (An interesting footnote here is that after the American Revolution, the British supported the Indians in the Northwest Indian War with the United States over control of the territory.)
This is a very good film for its portrayal of those times - the land, the people, the culture, costumes, etc. The grandeur of the setting is characteristic of the film's director and producer, Cecil B. DeMille. It has an air of auathenticity and realism as though one were right in the scenes. One other reviewer noted the historical inaccuracy of horses for the Indians. Only native Americans of the Plains States and far West had horses after these were reintroduced to North America by the Spanish explorers of the 16th Century through Mexico.
The cast is superb, and includes several well-known actors of the day besides Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard in the leads. Cooper is Capt. Christopher Holden, but one isn't quite sure what the "Captain" refers to. When he dresses up for the queen's ball at Fort Pitt, his formal uniform is blue while all of the British officers are in red. Yet, he takes orders from the British officers, including George Washington. Goddard plays Abigail Martha Hale (Abby), who is arriving in the colonies to be sold at auction as a slave. She had been convicted by a British court as a felon.
The story of Holden's and Abby's meeting and meeting again and again is a bit far-fetched. Also, his position with the military and secrecy of his mission is a bit mystifying. But, the cast and crew put on a good show and entertaining film. Oh, yes, Boris Karloff plays the Seneca Indian chief, Tishomingo. While the plot evolves all around the Indian uprising, and there are some good individual action scenes, the film has only one actual battle scene toward the end.
Early pioneer films, often with American Indian skirmishes like this one were fairly common into the late 1950s. But, it seems that all the good novels and stories about pioneer times have bene made and/or there isn't much interest in those times among the modern generations. Now, audiences seem to want more and more sci-fi.
Movie buffs and those interested in pioneer times and history should enjoy this film. My favorite line is spoken by Victor Varconi who plays Capt. Simeon Ecuyer: "Marriage frees you from slavery, Mrs. Holden. It won't do a thing for you, sir."