The Western is often perceived as an audience-friendly genre, usually not suitable for snobbish film auteurs of more artistic persuasion and those who prefer style over substance. Among the exceptions to this are films made outside Hollywood, unbound by American mythology and genre conventions. One such example can be found in Eagle’s Wing, a 1979 British film directed by Anthony Harvey.
The plot takes place somewhere in the American Southwest around the mid‑19th century. The protagonist, played by Martin Sheen, is Pike, a former US Army soldier who came west to seek his fortune and became the partner of Henry (played by Harvey Keitel), an experienced frontiersman who trades pelts with Native Americans. When Henry is killed in a raid by a war party of Kiowas led by White Buffalo (played by Sam Waterston), Pike is forced to find a replacement for his mule. He finds one at a burial site in the form of a beautiful white horse. That horse is soon stolen by White Buffalo, but Pike is determined to bring it back at all costs, which leads to a relentless pursuit and constant fighting between the two men who want the precious animal.
Eagle’s Wing is one of the rare European Westerns that was actually shot in North America. This decision was wise, because the chosen locations in the Mexican state of Durango were put to good use, especially by cinematographer Billy Williams. The film takes place almost entirely in arid plains and mountains, with unforgiving terrain and menacing dark skies representing the constant pressure on the characters, both Native and white. The script by John Briley was deliberately written with little dialogue, intended to allow viewers to concentrate on atmosphere and action. This concept was, however, compromised by subplots about White Buffalo attacking a stagecoach carrying Mexican aristocrats and abducting an Irish immigrant girl (played by Caroline Langrishe), which only complicates the story and confuses the audience. A lack of consistency can also be seen in the decision to have Pike’s character narrate his inner thoughts while White Buffalo remains silent throughout, leaving the audience to guess his emotions and intentions. Both roles are, however, well acted, and this is why the film can still be recommended to viewers—although mostly to those who prefer style over anything else.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/ Leofinance blog https://leofinance.io/@drax.leo Cent profile https://beta.cent.co/@drax Minds profile https://www.minds.com/drax_rp_nc Uptrennd profile https://www.uptrennd.com/user/MTYzNA
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax 1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
