Der große Schweiger (1968)

Der große Schweiger: Directed by Robert Mulligan. With Gregory Peck, Eva Marie Saint, Robert Forster, Noland Clay. A sympathetic retired army scout takes-in a white woman and her half-Apache son, not knowing that the boy’s father, a murderous renegade Apache, is after them.

“I happened to be searching for this title as I have wanted to collect it for years. It is difficult to find although it has been on cable a number of times. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is an extraordinary look at life in the west from several important perspectives. I was reading comments and a criticu0026#39;s review of this great film and I would like to make 2 primary comments:u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e1. If you havenu0026#39;t seen the movie or didnu0026#39;t pay attention, you should not comment on it. You may talk someone out of a memorable entertainment experience. At least get the particulars correct.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e2. Nothing could be further from the truth regarding it being a u0026quot;forgettableu0026quot; film. On the contrary it is a compelling and u0026quot;unforgettable film.u0026quot; Itu0026#39;s the real thing and very much worth watching!u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI rank this film right up there with u0026quot;The Wild Bunchu0026quot;, u0026quot;Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidu0026quot;, u0026quot;McCabe and Mrs. Milleru0026quot;, u0026quot;True Gritu0026quot;, u0026quot;The Magnificent Sevenu0026quot;, u0026quot;Hombreu0026quot;, u0026quot;Shaneu0026quot;, u0026quot;Jeremiah Johnsonu0026quot;,u0026quot;The Outlaw Josey Walesu0026quot; and others.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDespite other comments, Robert Forster played the memorable role of u0026quot;Nicku0026quot; a u0026quot;half-breedu0026quot; scout taught by Sam Varner (Gregory Peck.) It was Nathaniel Narcisse who played the much feared Native American warrior, Salvaje, who tracked Sam and the others in search of his son and only heir.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis film was the quintessential film about scouting and tracking of that era. It was the first and only (serious) western film that was a thriller. The haunting sound track effects, sets, and the stealth and terror created by itu0026#39;s antogonist, Salvaje, was riveting. This u0026quot;braveu0026quot; could get in and out of places and kill many, single-handedly, without being heard or seen-like a ghost! He is more stealth and deadly in this film than u0026quot;Rambou0026quot; was in the forest sequence in the movie u0026quot;First Blood.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie is about a retiring army scout, Sam Varner (Gregory Peck) who agrees to transfer a white woman-who had been kidnapped years before by Indians-to someplace other than the reservation. She had a son by a fearsome warrior whom she feared would return to claim that son. On the way Sam (Peck) decided he would offer her and her half-breed son a new start at his ranch where he was headed to in retirement. That is where all of his (Pecku0026#39;s) trouble started. Salvaje wants his son and stops at nothing to find and take him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis movie has every important element, the scenery and cinematography, full characters you care about, great soundtrack, fantastic acting, and unbelievable drama and terror. And the facts of living in that period are accurate and you live the experience. It is not predictable. It will have you on the edge of your seat!u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWith the exception of u0026quot;To Kill a Mockingbirdu0026quot;, this may well be Gregory Pecku0026#39;s finest performance. He is in his prime. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe tracking scenes are unforgettable. Whether you are a western buff or not this is a great movie. There will never be another western like this one.”