The Iroquois Trail (1950)

Hawkeye, an American scout, helps the British side in the French and Indian War, aided by his Indian blood brother Sagamore.

Director: Phil Karlson
Cast: George Montgomery, Brenda Marshall, Glenn Langan, Paul Cavanagh, Monte Blue, Sheldon Leonard, Reginald Denny, Dan O'Herlihy, John Doucette, Holmes Herbert, Don Garner, Marcel Gourmet, Arthur Little Jr., Esther Somers, Stanley Blystone, Iron Eyes Cody, Harry Cording, Edgar Dearing, Gil Frye, Herman Hack, Maurice Marsac, Troy Melton, Wallace Scott, Chief Thundercloud, Lee 'Lasses' White




Iroquois Trail (British title: The Tomahawk Trail) could be classified as a western, but for the fact that the story is set in 1775. Based on James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales, the film stars George Montgomery as Cooper's stalwart Indian scout Hawkeye. Hoping to avenge his brother's death at the hands of the French, Hawkeye offers his services to the British. During the course of events, he breaks up a spy ring, fights a hostile Indian chief to the death, and rescues the daughter (Brenda Marshall) of a British colonel (Paul Cavanaugh). Featured in the cast are Monte Blue (who was part Cherokee Indian) as Hawkeye's companion Sagramore, and Sheldon Leonard (who had no Indian blood whatsoever!) as fierce Chief Ogane. Auteurist fans of director Phil Karlson are welcome to search for any vestiges of Karlson's "signature" in Iroquois Trail.

IMDb