"Soldier Blue" (1970) presents itself as a lighthearted Western romance but is framed by scenes of shocking violence. The story follows a soldier and an Indian sympathizer, portrayed by Peter Strauss and Candice Bergen, who must journey back to the fort after a cavalry unit is wiped out by the Cheyenne in 1877. Initially, the man struggles with his feelings toward her unconventional views, but eventually witnesses di…

The unedited version of SOLDIER BLUE from 1970 presents a strange package: a lengthy romantic storyline—lasting a full 100 minutes and rated G—sandwiched between just 15 minutes of extremely violent, bloody events. Ralph Nelson doesn’t shy away from brutality; we see injuries, burning deaths, severed heads, and being pierced (along with other brutal acts), frequently displayed in a deliberate, drawn-out fashion remin…