Adobe Walls. The very name Arrowhead sometimes provokes a reaction in Western fans, even causing people to pause or raise an eyebrow. Featuring Charlton Heston and Jack Palance, directed by Charles Marquis Warren—who also wrote the screenplay based on W.R. Burnett's novel Adobe Walls—Arrowhead presents a version of the Indian Wars that portrays Apaches as untrustworthy criminals. The story draws from the life of real-life Indian scout Al Seiber, with Heston playing a character called Ed Bannon. The film is set in Texas in 1878 at Fort Clark, where an agreement has been reached and cavalry soldiers have arranged to relocate the Apache—led by Toriano (Palance)—to a dry area in Florida. However, Toriano has been scheming for a rebellion and intends to lead his people in an attack against white settlers and disregard the treaty. The only person who suspects something is wrong is Bannon, who possesses some Native American heritage, distrusts Native Americans, and won’t ever believe they are trustworthy. But the cavalry also dislike Bannon because he interferes with their plans for peace. It's easy to predict what comes next! Whether those involved in making the film at Paramount Pictures were aware of the racist implications back in 1953 is something people debate. I lean toward the idea that it functions as an allegory about anti-communism, though that doesn’t excuse the xenophobic storyline regardless of who's targeted. Still, did the filmmakers genuinely intend to create a traditional Cavalry versus Indians action film? The fact that the movie sometimes wanders and lacks constant action is somewhat unimportant; it’s well-constructed, features good performances, and looks appealing thanks to filming on location in Bracketville (Ray Rennahan handled the cinematography). Paul Sawtell provides a strong musical score, and Robert Wilkie and Brian Keith offer solid supporting acting. It's a dependable Western that can be enjoyed if you are willing to overlook its flaws. Forgive them, for they don’t realize what they’ve done...or something like that! 6/10

Source on TMDB