Alex Cord plays the title role, one of the mightiest Cheyenne warriors that ever lived. One day, he kidnaps Beth Colter (Lana Wood), the daughter of homesteader John Colter (Ben Johnson), for reasons that remain obscure until well into the story. John sets out on an epic search for his child, accompanied by his Indian friend Standing Bear (Iron Eyes Cody) and his eccentric buddy Trapper Willis (Jack Elam). After all the time she spends with Grayeagle, Beth realizes that it's true: he means her no harm, and in fact will be determined to protect her.
"Grayeagle" is a reasonably appealing Western that does go on a bit long. The sequence in which John and Willis are harassed by trouble-making Shoshones, in particular, is protracted. But overall, this not-uninteresting reworking of the plot of "The Searchers" is noteworthy for being just as much an Indian story as it is a Western. Written, produced, and directed by Charles B. Pierce, it has excellent atmosphere (it takes place in Montana territory in 1848), superb widescreen photography by Jim Roberson (who also edited), and a simply wonderful music score by the under-rated composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava. It has action, drama, and comedy, with Elam effortlessly stealing the show as he was so often prone to do. Also: while characters can and do die, the film is violent without being particularly gory.
The performances are mostly solid, although the crazed character (the Bugler) played by Pierce himself does wear out his welcome early on, and Woods' character can get annoying at times. Also appearing are the great character actor Paul Fix as an aged Chief named Running Wolf, and Pierce regulars like Cindy Butler and Jimmy Clem. Both Cody (a longtime fixture in this genre) and Cord have an effective screen presence.
Likeable entertainment with an endearing feel-good ending.
Seven out of 10.
"Grayeagle" is a reasonably appealing Western that does go on a bit long. The sequence in which John and Willis are harassed by trouble-making Shoshones, in particular, is protracted. But overall, this not-uninteresting reworking of the plot of "The Searchers" is noteworthy for being just as much an Indian story as it is a Western. Written, produced, and directed by Charles B. Pierce, it has excellent atmosphere (it takes place in Montana territory in 1848), superb widescreen photography by Jim Roberson (who also edited), and a simply wonderful music score by the under-rated composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava. It has action, drama, and comedy, with Elam effortlessly stealing the show as he was so often prone to do. Also: while characters can and do die, the film is violent without being particularly gory.
The performances are mostly solid, although the crazed character (the Bugler) played by Pierce himself does wear out his welcome early on, and Woods' character can get annoying at times. Also appearing are the great character actor Paul Fix as an aged Chief named Running Wolf, and Pierce regulars like Cindy Butler and Jimmy Clem. Both Cody (a longtime fixture in this genre) and Cord have an effective screen presence.
Likeable entertainment with an endearing feel-good ending.
Seven out of 10.