Watch Run of the Arrow

Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the 1957 film Run of the Arrow follows former Union soldier O'Meara, played by Rod Steiger, as he travels westward and decides to join the Sioux tribe. Taking the name Walking Coyote, he is eventually accepted as a Sioux warrior and is allowed to marry a Sioux woman, played by Sara Montiel.

However, tensions between the Sioux and the white settlers are high, and O'Meara finds himself caught in the middle. When a group of Sioux warriors under his command attack a wagon train of settlers, O'Meara is forced to flee into the wilderness to avoid punishment by the US Army.

As he navigates the harsh Dakota terrain, O'Meara meets and befriends Captain Clark, played by Brian Keith, a Confederate veteran who has also rejected his former allegiances and is trying to make a new life for himself in the west.

Together, O'Meara and Clark are captured by a group of Sioux warriors led by Chief Yellow Moccasin, who holds them captive and demands that they fight to the death to determine who is the true warrior.

As tensions between the Sioux and the US Army come to a head, O'Meara must decide whether to continue his life with the Sioux or fight alongside Captain Clark and the army. The film culminates in a climactic battle, with O'Meara's actions ultimately determining his fate.

Run of the Arrow was directed by Samuel Fuller and was widely regarded as a departure from the traditional western genre. Its exploration of themes such as cultural identity, racial tension, and the aftermath of war made it a critical success upon its release, and it continues to be praised for its nuanced portrayal of both the Sioux and white settlers.

Rod Steiger's portrayal of O'Meara was particularly well-received, with many critics noting his ability to convey the character's internal conflict and the toll that war and violence had taken on him. In addition, Sara Montiel's performance as the Sioux woman who falls in love with O'Meara was also praised for its nuance and realism.

Run of the Arrow was filmed on location in South Dakota, providing audiences with sweeping vistas of the American west. The film's cinematography and score were also noted for their exceptional quality, with the latter featuring a blend of traditional Sioux music and more contemporary orchestral arrangements.

Despite its acclaim, Run of the Arrow was not a commercial success upon its release, and it has been largely forgotten in the years since. However, it remains a significant entry in the western genre and an important film in the careers of its cast and crew.

Run of the Arrow is a 1957 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.