Smallpox plagues Chief Winterhawk's tribe. He seeks cure from the white men, who in turn, in fear of getting the smallpox, kill two of his companions. Winterhawk comes back to kidnap a girl and her brother from the white men's settlement, and thus begins the chase...
Cinematography
Montana landscapes shot like alien territory.
Direction
Pierce lets silence do the talking.
Costume
Authentic Blackfoot regalia, rare for '75.
Director
Charles B. Pierce
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pierce made this after Boggy Creek; he was obsessed with regional American folklore. Winterhawk was his attempt to correct western mythology, though casting choices aged poorly.
Woody Strode's 'Big Rude' barely speaks but steals every scene—reportedly improvised his death moment. The actual Blackfoot Nation later screened this for historical discussion, which is wild.
US
