Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Tayloriona Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

classicsoncall When all is said and done, the picture is pretty much an all out cowboys and Indians story, though the cowboys are replaced by the U.S. Cavalry. As in the majority of these Westerns of the Fifties, Native American characters are portrayed by white actors, an issue I don't particularly have a problem with like a lot of folks seem to. At the time, Rock Hudson would not have been such a well known personality, so his casting here seemed OK. However with the hindsight of over sixty years since the film was made, his celebrity was a bit of a distraction for this viewer.I'll say this though, even though Hudson was cast for his physique and manly good looks, you can't deny one aspect of his role as Taza, Son of Cochise. Twice in the picture he mounted his horse by virtually high jumping onto the animal's back from a standing position. The first was right after burying his father Cochise (Jeff Chandler), the second time was while preparing to lead his warriors against the Cavalry. The move is actually pretty cool, watch for it.Speaking of Chandler's Cochise, in his death scene he didn't appear to be much older than his sons Taza and Naiche (Rex Reason). So much so that I had to check; at the time of filming, Chandler would have been about seven years older than Hudson and ten years older than Reason. Not a big deal since he wasn't on screen that long, but it was noticeable nevertheless.As far as the story goes, Taza plans to follow his father's dying wish that he keep the peace with the White Man, but events and a reluctant brother thwart his efforts to reign in Mogolan Apache Chief Geronimo (Ian MacDonald) and his prospective father-in-law Grey Eagle (Morris Ankrum). Moving his tribe to the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Taza eventually sides with his native brothers to oppose the Army after General George Crook (Robert Burton) refuses to authorize reservation police to pursue and deal with Geronimo.There's a fairly exciting battle between the Apaches and the Cavalry to close out the story, but if you keep a close eye on things, you'll note a couple of filming errors. Captain Burnett (Gregg Palmer) shoots an Apache at the top of a cliff who clutches his chest, but when the Indian's hands fall away there's no hint of a bullet wound or blood. The same thing occurs when Burnett shoots Grey eagle shortly after. That's probably something you'd call an unforced error, or saving a few bucks on make-up.

Spikeopath Taza, Son of Cochise is directed by Douglas Sirk and written by Gerald Drayson Adams and George Zuckerman. It stars Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush, Gregg Palmer, Rex Reason and Morris Ankrum. A Technicolor production with the Music scored by Frank Skinner and cinematography by Russell Metty.In 1872 the long bitter war fought between the United States Cavalry troops and Apache bands led by Cochise came to an end. The peace treaty signed by Cochise and General Howard brought peace to the Arizona Territory. But three years later the mighty leader of the Chiricahua Apaches grew ill and come to the end of his days........the torch was passed to his first born son, Taza, who wants to follows his father's ideals and peace brokering ways. His second born son, Naiche, however, has different ideas, as does the mighty Geronimo.....Douglas Sirk's only venture into the Western realm was originally shot in 3D around the gorgeous Arches National Monument Park. Following the pro-Indian theme that was becoming a feature of 1950s Westerns, it's a film that suffers primarily because of the casting of none Native Americans in the important character roles. Which is a shame because it's a gorgeous production that features action scenes full of vim and vigour. Story isn't out of the ordinary and the dialogue is often clunky as the Indian chatter is of the Hollywoodisation kind. Yet picture is never dull, the interest is always held as Taza attempts to hold on to peace for his people, whilst simultaneously he's trying to court the hand of Oona (Rush) against the wishes of her father, the war mongering Grey Eagle (Ankrum).Hudson, badly cast as he is, can't be faulted for commitment in the title role. He clearly feels at ease working for Sirk (it was a coupling that would work together on a total of 9 movies), and at least he has the physicality for such a character. Unlike Ian MacDonald as Geronimo, who looks too old, is too staid and sticks out like a sore thumb. Russell Metty's photography is top draw, both in capturing gorgeous frames of the locale and in choice of colour lenses. Skinner provides a breezy, if standard Indian tinted Western musical score, and Sirk's direction is simple and effective with only minimal 3D moments part of the action. It's hardly an essential picture in the pantheon of pro-Indian Westerns, but it's better than it has a right to be, and with Pegasus' DVD release providing a lovely print, this is worth seeking out if only for Russell Metty's fine work. 6.5/10

graham clarke One might have expected a lot more from Douglas Sirk in this, his single Western. Beautifully shot by Russell Metty who worked extensively with Sirk, it's a very routine Western of no great interest.Before Sirk hit his stride with the great melodramas he tried his hand at light romantic comedy and costume drama with pleasing if not spectacular results. He brought little if anything at all to the Western.Perhaps more than anything it's an important rung in the ladder of elevating Rock Hudson towards stardom which would come with Sirk's next film "Magnificent Obsession".Hudson is adequate in the role, but that's hardly difficult amongst some truly wooden performances. All in all something of a low point in the amazing 50's career of Douglas Sirk.

NewEnglandPat Universal joined the parade of film studios that wanted to cash in on the popularity of Indian chiefs during the 1950s. This western followed the familiar formula of war and peace, reservation vs. warpath story lines, trigger happy soldiers and renegade Indians. Rock Hudson stars as the obedient, peace-loving son of Cochise in this Arizona saga but his brother opposes the chief's death-bed wish and schemes with other Indians to break free to raid and plunder. That is essentially the plot here, with nothing new to offer fans of this genre. The movie has enough action and scenic vistas to maintain interest but also looks like it was filmed on a shoestring budget. Hudson and Barbara Rush make a fetching couple and the supporting cast is good but the film lacks the polish of other Universal westerns of this period.