Soldier Blue (1974)

This violent drama is based on an allegedly historic encounter between white settlers and the Cheyenne Indians, of the west. Based on Theodore V. Olsen's novel ARROW IN THE SUN, the account enacts the struggle of a U.S. soldier named Honus Gant (Peter Strauss) and a white woman named Cresta (Candice Bergen) who has been captured by the Indians two years earlier. The pair is hoping to stay alive until they can reach the nearest army outpost. When the Cheyenne slaughter the paymaster's party, with which they have been traveling, the two carry on to encounter several unusual characters. Donald Pleasance is perfect in his portrayal of Isaac Q. Cumber, who holds them captive, while hoping to sell the Cheyenne guns, in order to acquire some of gold they stole from the paymaster. When Honus is wounded, Cresta goes ahead alone, only to discover that the army plans to wipe the Indians out entirely. She hopes to return to help Honus, and warn the Cheyenne to flee, before the handful of them that are left, are wiped out. Ralph Nelson directs, and keeps the allegiances even, revealing the true tragedy behind the conflict.