Unconquered

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Unconquered (1947) was produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and released by Paramount. The film, based on American history, shows the violent struggles that occurred between American colonists and Native Americans on the western frontier, primarily around Fort Pitt (modern-day Pittsburgh). It remains thoroughly entertaining and even frightening at times. There is spectacular use of three-strip Technicolor and considerable location filming, vividly recreating the epic conflicts in the mid-eighteenth century.

Contents 1 Basic Plot 2 Observations 3 Cast 4 Crew 5 Home Video 6 Source

[edit] Basic Plot

The film focuses on "Abby" Hale (portrayed by Paulette Goddard), who is condemned to death by a British court, then offered clemency if she will become an indentured servant in America. There is a bidding competition between Capt. Christopher Holden (Gary Cooper) and Martin Garth (Howard Da Silva) in which Capt Holden wins, then sets her free. Unfortunately, Garth is a sore loser; he kidnaps Abby and takes her to the Western frontier, where he is involved in illegal arms sales to the Native Americans. Soon, Capt. Holden becomes involved in the conflict with the warring tribes and is reunited with Abby; he also has further confrontations with Garth and his henchman (Mike Mazurki).

[edit] Observations

• DeMille maintains the dramatic conflict throughout much of the film, resulting in considerable suspense and action.
• Of special interest is seeing Howard Da Silva, who had recently appeared on Broadway as the original Jud in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!.
• Boris Karloff, who is best remembered for his appearances in numerous horror films, portrays an Indian chief in this film.
• During filming, DeMille became enraged when Paulette Goddard refused to participate in a dangerous battle scene involving flaming arrows; several members of the cast were actually injured, but DeMille was so angry with Goddard that he refused to use her again in any of his later films, even when she begged him to cast her in the 1952 production of The Greatest Show on Earth.
• As was customary in many of his films, DeMille himself narrated some of the story.

[edit] Cast

• Gary Cooper as Capt. Christopher Holden
• Paulette Goddard as Abigail 'Abby' Martha Hale
• Howard Da Silva as Martin Garth
• Boris Karloff as Chief Guyasuta
• Cecil Kellaway as Jeremy Love
• Ward Bond as John Fraser
• Virginia Campbell as Mrs. Fraser
• Katherine DeMille (the director's daughter) as Hannah
• Henry Wilcoxon as Capt. Steele
• C. Aubrey Smith as Lord Chief Justice
• Victor Varconi as Capt. Simeon Ecuyer
• Virginia Grey as Diana
• Mike Mazurki as Dave Bone
• Porter Hall as Leach
• Richard Gaines as Col. George Washington
• For others in the cast, see the IMDB website.

[edit] Crew

The typically large crew for the film included writers Charles Bennett, Fredric M. Frank, Jesse Lasky Jr., and Neil H. Swanson; composer/conductor Victor Young; cinematographer Ray Rennahan; and film editor Anne Bauchens; and costume designer Edith Head.

[edit] Home Video

The film is available on DVD.

[edit] Source

IMDB website American Movie Classics