Watch Dakota Incident

Dakota Incident is a western drama film from 1956, directed by Lewis R. Foster and starring Linda Darnell, Dale Robertson, and John Lund. The film takes place in Dakota Territory in the 1870s, and tells the story of a group of travelers on a stagecoach who encounter a Native American raiding party. The movie follows the journey of two men, U.S. Cavalry officer Captain John Nelson (John Lund) and hired gunslinger Jimy Devon (Dale Robertson) as they embark on a dangerous mission to escort a valuable shipment of gold across the Dakota Territory. Along the way, they meet and board a stagecoach with a group of passengers, including beautiful dance hall girl Jolie Blodgett (Linda Darnell), a conniving businessman named Crimp (Ward Bond), and a stoic Indian-hating marshal named Wilkes (Jack Oakie).

Their journey quickly takes a dark turn when they come under attack by a group of Native American raiders, led by the ruthless Sioux chief Yellow Hand (John Qualen). The passengers are forced to fight for their lives and their precious cargo, and tensions begin to rise as suspicions mount over who can be trusted in their desperate struggle for survival.

As the group fights to fend off the relentless attacks of Yellow Hand and his warriors, they are forced to confront their own fears and prejudices, and to question the value of the precious gold they are risking their lives for.

The performances in Dakota Incident are strong, particularly those of the three leads. John Lund delivers a nuanced and understated performance as the upright Captain Nelson, while Dale Robertson brings a tough and gritty edge to his portrayal of the hired gun Jimy Devon. Linda Darnell, meanwhile, is radiant as the dance hall girl Jolie, who finds herself drawn to both men.

The film also benefits from its strong supporting cast, particularly Ward Bond as the manipulative businessman Crimp, and Jack Oakie as the bigoted marshal Wilkes. Their characters add depth and complexity to the story, and help to flesh out the various conflicts and tensions that arise throughout the course of the film.

Behind the camera, director Lewis R. Foster does a fine job of keeping the action moving at a brisk pace, while also allowing plenty of time for character development and interaction. His ability to balance these various elements of the story is one of the film's strongest assets, and helps to keep the audience engaged throughout.

Overall, Dakota Incident is a well-crafted and engaging western drama that offers both thrilling action and thought-provoking themes. Its strong performances, compelling characters, and taut direction make it a standout entry in the genre, and a must-see for fans of classic westerns.

Dakota Incident is a 1956 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.