Saskatchewan (Universal) [DVD]

Well first things first, and it has to be said that there are no picture quality issues with this DVD release from the much maligned Pegasus entertainment. They are definitely getting their act together these days and using decent transfers for their recent DVD's. "The Last Sunset" is a good example. This film is perhaps one of Raoul Walsh's lesser works. It certainly lacks in suspense and imagination, But what it lacks in these departments it makes up for with lots of colourful indians and the magnificent scenery around Banff, Alberta, in the great Canadian west. Yes, thats Alberta not Saskatchewan, in Raoul Walsh's revisionist look at the geography of Canada. In this film Saskatchewan has lots of lovely mountains, which is much nicer than it's generally flattish lands. We therefore get lots of mounties in colourful but anachronistic uniforms, battling the mighty Sioux who have skipped across the border to a Canadian safe haven amongst some stunning scenery. The Sioux did actually flee to Canada in an attempt to avoid the anticipated American backlash.

"Saskatchewan" aka "O'Rourke of the Royal Mounted" has Alan Ladd as the mountie who is the adopted son of a Cree indian chief. His indian brother is played by Tonto 'kemosabe' himself, Jay Silverheels. Ladd romances saloon girl Shelley Winters whilst trying to keep the Cree from allying with the warlike Sioux fresh from their victory over Custer at the Little Big Horn in neaby Montana. He falls foul of his own superiors in his attempts to keep the peace. No real surprises here apart from the locations used, which are admittedly stunningly beautiful. Lots of riders in bright uniforms dashing hither and thither amongst the mountains. Ladd is nonchalant throughout, aided by veteran J Carrol Naish who seemed to be even shorter than Ladd. Naish plays a French Canadian trapper who gets a glimpse of Sitting Bull himself, a character he had coincidentally played not that long before. Hugh O'Brian gets to play the very bad American sheriff in this one. Whilst the films scenery was very reminiscent of those used to much superior effect by Anthony Mann in his series of fifties movies, it is not a patch on those. Walsh made the far superior "Pursued" a few short years before, and went on to make the excellent "The Tall Men" with Clark Gable a year later. At the end of the film due thanks is given to the Canadian government for their help in making the film, which is just as well as the scenery is the main attraction! I suspect that Walsh and his crew had a very nice busmans holiday in this glorious picture postcard area of Canada. Given this it passes the time pleasantly enough in between more serious fare. Well done to Pegasus for bringing a western to me that I cannot recall seeing before! More where this came from please!

Another Pegasus winner. This one stars Alan Ladd in a tale of Mounties in Canada, but you want to know about the disc, not the film, right? It's 4:3, which I think is the correct aspect ratio, and again it looks very good. Pegasus are coming up trumps just lately and I know they have plans for more westerns in 2012 (with more on the way before the end of this year)

This movie was first released in 1954 in fullscreen, Technicolour and runs 83 minutes. The sound and picture quality of this Australian Universal release are very good. The film starts in 1877 in Canada where Thomas O'Rourke(ALAN LADD) and Cajou(JAY SILVERHEELS) practice shooting next to a lake, then racing to a beautiful waterfall and suddenly come across burnt out wagons. They get shot at and discover Grace Markey(SHELLEY WINTERS), who had been attacked by Indians and left as the only survival, as she was hidden. Cajou says that Cree Indians don't attack whites and that all the guns had been taken. As they try to camp, Grace takes a horse and makes a run for it, but soon comes across more Indians. Thomas and Cajou shoot at the Indians and find them as American Sioux. Later, they arrive at the Fort and Thomas changes into Canadian Mounted Red Coat Police inspector. Cajou shows the weapon of Crazy Horse Chief to Batouche(J.CARROL NAISH). Thomas introduces himself to Commander Benton(ROBERT DOUGLAS) and Grace requests that she is still allowed to go to Battleford. Indians are not allowed to have guns, so Benton, fresh from England, orders Thomas to take Cajou's rifle. Dark Cloud Cree Chief and Cajou threaten to join the Sioux. US Marshall Carl Smith(HUGH O'BRIAN) comes on a wagon and reports to Benton saying he was looking for Grace for a murder in Montana and presents appropriate papers. Grace apparently had killed the Marshall's brother. A message comes from Fort Walsh that the Sioux were crossing into Canada in great numbers and the Cree may join them. Order is given to leave Saskatchewan and head for Fort Walsh first thing in the morning. Marshall Smith decides to take Grace and join the Canadian Mounted Police for safety. Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse chiefs of Sioux had come to Canada to help Dark Cloud Cree Chief, offering to finish the Red Coats.
This story of GIL DOUD is beautifully photographed by JOHN F SEITZ and briskly directed by great RAOUL WALSH. The action scenes are very good and one may want to buy this DVD also for the fantastic natural beauty of Canadian National Parks.
ALAN WALBRIDGE LADD was born on 3.9.1913 in Hotsprings, Akansas. His father died when he was 4, his mother re-marring and the family moved to North Hollywood, California. He opened his own hamburger and malt shop(Tiny's Patio). Universal Studios dropped him because he was too blond and too short. He did many short roles. He went to work for Paramount Pictures. In 1953, he starred in 'SHANE', nominated for 5 Academy awards. He also worked for Columbia Pictures. In November 1962, he was found lying unconscious in a pool of blood with a bullet wound near his heart, an unsuccessful suicide attempt. He was married twice and had a son 'Alan Ladd Jr' with MIDGE HARROLD. He had a son and a daughter with SUE CAROL(1942). On 29.1.1964, aged 50, Alan Ladd Sr was found dead in Palm Springs, California, of acute overdose of 'alcohol and 3 drugs'.
Some of Alan Ladd's films are:-
(1) Once in Life Time, 1932
(2) Victory, 1940
(3) Citizen Kane, 1941
(4) Calcutta, 1947
(5) Whispering Smith, 1948
(6) Red Mountain, 1951
(7) The Iron Mistress, 1952
(8) Shane, 1953
(9) Drum Beat, 1954
(10)Santiago, 1956
(11)Badlanders, 1958
(12)The Carpet Baggers, 1964
Watch and ENJOY.