Eagle's Wing [DVD] [1979]

"Eagle's Wing" is an intriguing and shamefully ignored film. Few people have heard of it, and even fewer have watched it. It has often been described as a British western in a disparaging manner, largely by American critics because it was financed by the Rank Organization and directed by Englishman Anthony Harvey. America can quite rightly be proud of the fact that they are the home of the western, and that the vast majority of the great westerns have been made by that country. This is a heritage they should naturally feel protective of. But there are a couple of notable exceptions to the rule. Sergio Leone's grandiose epic ballet of death "Once Upon a Time in the West"(69), is one of those, and so is "Eagle's Wing".

The film concerns the story of two traders/ trappers in 1830's New Mexico, played by Harvey Keitel and Martin Sheen. The two have an unfortunate brush with Kiowa Indians, one of whom is played passably well by Sam Waterston. This leaves Sheen who is the more inexperienced to fend for himself in the wilderness. This is reminiscent of Sydney Pollock's "Jeremiah Johnson". Sheen then has the good fortune to come into possession of a magnificent white stallion from a dead Comanche chief, a horse that can fly like the "Eagle's Wing". But the horse is also coveted by the cunning Waterston. The two begin a long duel for the horse over endless plains and a burning sun. Only one man can win.

The story although simple enough, is enlivened by sub plots involving the kidnap of a young girl by Waterston, and her subsequent pursuit by Spanish Americans. There are further complications when Comanche braves once led by the dead chief, also set off in pursuit of Sheen. The script by the American writer John Briley, who was also responsible for "Ghandi", can be best described as spare, which is in keeping with the film. So spare in fact, that Waterston does not have to utter a single word. The director Harvey marshals his cast with authority, and for a man with no experience of westerns does a very good job indeed. He is probably best known for the historical drama "The Lion in Winter". The filming was made on location in Durango Mexico, a place much beloved of American film makers. As a result of this the cinematography is simply stunning for most of the films running time. A special mention should also be made of the beautiful and haunting musical score, which lingers long in the mind.

This is not a British western in the vein of "The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw" or "Carry on Cowboy". Yes, I can hear you laughing! This was filmed with a mainly American cast, on location in an area much used by American westerns. This gives it more of an international flavour than a British one. It is not a masterpiece by any means, but it is certainly unique. There is not another western like it in feel and atmosphere. It is this and the sumptuous visual feast that lift it above so many others in the genre. I enjoyed the film from beginning to end. It is one that deserves to be much better known. A very comfortable and deserved four stars.

I will not go into detail about the plot of this film, since other reviewers have already done so. I want to celebrate it as a magnificent visual experience. The cinematography is outstanding! Stunningly beautiful in every aspect: lighting, colour, camera angles and movement. And movement is a key word here. Film is by definition movement, and in Eagle's Wing, every scene and image is alive with movement: The movement of people and horses within the frame; the effect of the constant wind that sets clothes and hair, feathers, grass, branches and leaves of trees, and clouds of dust in motion. Combine all this with superb costume and makeup design and breathtakingly beautiful locations, and you are in for a visual feast. I love this film, but there are a couple of things which disappoint me: First of all: the original aspect ratio of 2.35 : 1 has been cropped, and the film is presented in 1.85:1. I think that is a shame, because it is very evident that image composition suffers severely. I think it is a violation of a work of art! In my opinion, all films on DVD or Blu-Ray should be presented in their original aspect ratio. My second complaint concerns casting: Why is the role of White Bull played by Sam Waterston instead of being played by a Native American actor? Sam Waterston does a great job, but the fact that I know he is white, distracts me. It would probably not have been done today. Nevertheless, I recommend this film wholeheartedly. Sit back, and enjoy!

There must have been some interesting conversations on the set of Eagle's Wing, with Martin Sheen straight off Apocalypse Now co-starred with the actor he replaced on Coppola's film, Harvey Keitel. A real unloved child of a movie, dating back to the last major batch of Westerns in 1979-80, it was much reviled at the time for being made by a British studio and director (conveniently ignoring the fact that many of the classic American westerns were directed by European émigrés), which seems a bit of an over-reaction.

The plot is simplicity itself, as Martin Sheen's inexperienced trapper finds himself fighting with Sam Waterston's nonosyllabic Kiowa warrior over the possession of a beautiful white horse, the Eagle's Wing, across a harsh and primitive landscape in a time "before the legends began." Aside from Caroline Langrishe's captive Irish governess, the supporting cast have little to do (Stephane Audran never even gets to open her mouth) and it is a little slow, but Anthony Harvey's film does boast terrific Scope photography from Billy Williams and a very good score from Marc Wilkinson.