Seminole Uprising (1955) User Reviews (15)

You want manners or Black Cat?

[hitchcockthelegend · 5/10 · 4 December 2015]

Seminole Uprising is directed by Earl Bellamy and is adapted by Robert E. Kent from Curt Brandon's novel, Bugle's Wake. It stars George Montgomery, Karin Booth, William Fawcett, Steven Ritch, Ed Hinton and John Pickard.

The cavalry, led by Lieutenant Cam Elliott (Montgomery), are tasked with bringing in Seminole Indian chief Black Cat (Ritch), who is leading his tribe with ferocious force. But there are some family ties causing problems to the mission...

The problems with the pic are front and centre, the use of stock footage, dummies and cheap model work show it to be a low grade Western that needed a more astute production team at the control desks. However, narrative has some intelligence as per the half-breed issues, there's a simmering love rival shenanigan, while there's good "B" movie quality action sequences to hold the attention - the finale is particularly exciting with the rocks and fire tactics. It's no Western fan's idea of a must see movie, but the brisk pacing, some thought in the screenplay and a likable cast at least make it a decent enough "once only" time waster. 5/10

One of Katzman's best efforts!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 15 April 2018]

Producer: Sam Katzman. An Eros Films Production. Copyright 1955 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 2 May 1955. U.K. release through Eros Film Distributors: April 1956. Australian release: 1 June 1956. Running times: 74 minutes (USA), 71 minutes (UK), 68 minutes (Aust).

SYNOPSIS: In the days before the Civil War, a cavalry lieutenant is assigned by Colonel Robert E. Lee to put down an Indian uprising in Texas led by a band of Florida's Seminoles.

COMMENT: Although the scriptwriter manages to work up some interest in the story in the opening and middle sections of the film, the climax is undermined by obvious intercutting between the unit's footage and some spectacular (but poorly matched) stock material. And after this, although the main tensions are perfunctorily resolved, it all ends rather abruptly with several issues still up in the air.

All the same, by producer Sam Katzman's very humble standards, this is one of his better entries. It's hard to think of Earl Bellamy as a class director, but he has not only used his extras effectively with running inserts yet and given some zing to the action spots (a good fire scene) and real locations, but he has drawn forceful performances from hero George Montgomery, Howard Wright who commands authority as Colonel Hannah, and Steve Ritch who lends plausibility and dignity to Black Cat. Our heroine Karin Booth is spirited and charming, and the story is narrated by William Fawcett of all people, who has his biggest role ever here as Montgomery's scout, a sort of Z-grade Walter Brennan.

There's certainly plenty of action. And the budget looks pretty fair. But I'd love to know from which movie Katzman stole all that awesome rock action at the climax.

OTHER VIEWS: The climax is tricked out with a load of spectacular footage from an "A" western I didn't recognize but whose forceful quality couldn't be dimmed even by ill-judged and meat-axed intercutting with Seminole Uprising's Hollywood Hills locations. The cast is second-rate but serviceable. The story is a bit more interesting than usual for a Katzman "B" too. -J.H.R. in Photoplayer.

The Valley of Tears

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 13 July 2022]

As previous reviewers have noted the most original feature of this Columbia western potboiler in colour is using narration by the hero's scruffy sidekick as a chorus; but that's largely sidelined when the Cavalry as usual get down to the serious business of devoting most of their energies to infighting than to fighting the Indians.

Glamour is supplied by platinum blonde Karin Booth who's obviously not joking when she declares "Getting men into trouble is not the only thing I can do!", and you know the Indian's are making a serious mistake when they hold her captive instead of just killing her.

Standard "B" Western

[cwoliver-1 · 13 August 2011]

"Seminole Rising" was your standard B western movie typically shown prior to the A feature as was standard in theaters prior to the 1960s. These were low budget movies that allowed small name actors to gain experience and audience exposure. Therefore it is unfair to grade them by the scale one might grade an A movie like "The Cowboys", "Shane", or "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance".

I found it to be a basic B movie, with little to brag on and little to complain about. While some seem bewildered by Seminoles residing in Texas it is lack of education that leads to this. With but a modicum of effort one learns that following the Second Seminole War (1835–1842) about 3,800 Seminoles were "given" lands "west of the Mississippi river". Seminoles in OK and TX? Yep!

Just an entertaining little movie that runs a perfect 74 minutes sans commercials. Not a movie to watch again and again, but it can be viewed several times in a lifetime if you leave 25 years in between.

Not good.

[bux · 1/10 · 14 May 2002]

Don't tune into this one expecting to see alligators, Everglades and colorfully garbed Indians. Here, for some reason, the Seminoles are in TEXAS, riding the plains, living in Teepees and wrecking havoc. This is another of the cheapies, made in the 50s using much stock footage, much of the footage here came from "New Mexico"(1951). The story of the Seminole Indians has been done quite well in other pictures, most notably, "Seminole"(1953), "Distant Drums"(1951 and "Naked in the Sun"(1955). This is an easy one to pass up.

Okay but could be better

[dmail-59580 · 7/10 · 2 June 2019]

It wasn't the best western I've ever seen but definitely not the worst. After reading the last review I decided to watch it myself. It's a western ... what did that viewer expect to be in a western movie?

Patchwork cavalry-Indian western

[NewEnglandPat · 3/10 · 28 June 2003]

This western has a small budget look and the familiar plot of the U.S. cavalry rounding up Indians and returning them to their reservation. The movie is essentially that of the troopers skirmishing with the Indians and battling thirst before peace is restored. Another plot angle is a lieutenant's mixed heritage which causes romantic strife with his status-conscious fiancé. Most of the battle scenes are comprised of stock footage from other westerns which give this film a disjointed look. George Montgomery starred in many low-budget films of this type in the 1950s, and this movie doesn't offer anything new. Karin Booth plays Montgomery's romantic interest and Steven Ritch is the renegade chief whose Indians battle Montgomery's soldiers.

Black cat on the warpath

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 2 April 2021]

An angry Seminole chief -Black Cat - wages war after his tribe is relocated from Florida to the American West. George Montgomery is sent to catch him, but is also entangled with a deceptive captain and his ex-flame ( Karin Booth). William Fawcett is Montgomery's sidekick and is the narrator as well ( his voice can be grating).

Fairly enjoyable B-western, nice scenery, some intelligent dialogue from Black cat (Steven Ritch), and doesn't overstay its welcome.

Low-budget but entertaining.

[jaemisc · 5/10 · 14 November 2014]

Yes, as already said, it's a low-budget film and certainly not the best western made, but I still found it entertaining. Like many westerns, there are a lot of inaccuracies and things that were inconsistent with historical facts. It did motivate me, as did some of the comments made by other reviewers to do a little research and I found that historically, there were Seminole Indians that were originally from Florida that went to Texas. They were originally led by the Seminole Chief "Wild Cat" (Coacoochee)- not "Black Cat". Just do a search on him to learn more about it. I believe the story and the acting are adequate enough to give this movie a watch.

Fawcett Narration Carries Story

[DKosty123 · 6/10 · 16 February 2020]

William Fawcett narrates a story of Indian fighting in Texas. Black Cat is the head Indian Honcho, and Montegomery is the guy assigned to bring him in for trial. The Seminole Indians are no longer on the reservation. Meanwhile the kidnap a hot blonde and are planning to sell her to white men for more guns.

The chief holds out when the troops run short of water taking him in. Then he gets hot for the blonde and decides to show the white men where the water is in order to save her and the men arresting him,

This just shows the power of a woman can overcome savages. Seminoles not wanting to stay on their Texas reservation. They get gums and start picking off white men, forcing them into an easy to defend canyon. This 90 minute story is carried along by Fawcett's narration which he obviously tries to imitate Walter Brennan. A great compliment to the more famous actor.

A forgettable B Western that is now running on GRIT, the Western channel where a lot of films, and things like Death Valley Days TV are running. The channel seems to run movies a lot so I am sure you can catch it again in the next few months.

Routine and mediocre Western in short budget with the ordinary confrontation between cavalry and rebel Indians

[ma-cortes · 5/10 · 30 November 2019]

Cavalry lieutenant Can Ellott , George Montgomery , is assigned by his commanding Officer to execute a dangerous mission, to detain the rebellious Indian Chief Black Cat , Steven Ritch , has escaped from his Florida reservation and carried out an upheaval against White men .Then Black Cat and other assailant Indians take Hannah : Karin Booth , Colonel's daughter . Eliott accompanied by his helper Cubby Croach: William Fawcett, set out in pursuit the renegade Indian , but things go wrong , until a breathtaking final battle .

Routine and low-budgeted Western about an Indian revolt with attacks, thrills, assaults, battles and emotion . Stars George Montgomery as a Mestizo who is commanding a campaign to chase Black Cat who is leading an expedition of bloodshed and terror scheming to trade his kidnapped people for weapons .There is also romance in which implies Lieutenant George Montogomery with the beautiful Karin Booth who is about to marry a nasty captain. The highlights of the movie are some espectacular Indian attacks and the moving final that incluyes avalanche , cliffs , and fire , though most of them taken from other films. Starring is George Montgomery , a mediocre actor of B movies . He was born to Ukranian inmigrantes and was a heavyweight bóxer previously becoming a player. Plus , he was an excellent craftsman and built and designed homes, besides he was a self-taught artist creating bronze busts for popular actors . He starred a lot of films , working all around the world and played all kinds of genres as Adventure : Watusi, Steel Claw ; Warlike : Battle of Bulge , Hell of Borneo; and especiallly Westerns : Fort Ti, Last of the Badmen , Durango , Seminole.

Produced in low budget by Sam Katzman , he is known for his short financing productions .He fashioned a group of films using stocks originally shot since former movies . The picture obtained limited success but results to be agreeable enough.The picture was regularly directed by the prolific Earl Bellamy . Routine , run-of-the-mill and average Western 5/10.

Lightweight But ok

[gps642 · 7/10 · 10 August 2022]

First saw this as a second feature at my local theater many years ago. Held my interest then, still does. Forget the egregious misplacement of the Seminoles to the southwest and view it for the entertainment intended. If you don't expect to see Shane or 3:10 to Yuma, sit back and relax. For a 50s "B" western, not bad.

no passing grade from me

[KDWms · 3/10 · 25 April 2003]

Leave it to romance to further bring down a cowboy movie. I'm a sucker, though, for color western landscape cinematography, so, for me, THAT was a positive about this film. I also thought that the location might be in the southeastern US. But the Seminoles herein are conducting their raids in Texas, as a result of which, Lt. Elliot's force has been summoned by Col. Hannah to enhance his own Cpt. Dudley's men. Additionally complicating is the fact that Col. Hannah's daughter, Susan - once the apple of Lt. Elliot's eye - is now engaged to Cpt. Dudley, who is deeply in debt, which leads to two of his hostages being given to a creditor, who's wife and son died while captives of the Indians. That creditor then kills those hostages, who are the wife and son of the chief, which, in turn, causes Susan to get kidnapped, needing rescuing by the two officers. Oh yeah - other elements to the drama are that Lt. Elliot MAY be the brother of his foe; and, water will be scarce when the soldiers return from where Susan is. This profuse plot and mostly adequate acting notwithstanding, I, nevertheless, withheld a passing grade.

Seminole in Texas or California? Hmm

[searchanddestroy-1 · 26 June 2016]

I am not a historian, but I am smart enough to know that Seminole wars occurred in Florida - I guess South Florida - or at worst a bit in Oklahoma, but certainly not so far west...Why not Apache warriors in Connecticut? But all this contributes to Sam Katzman's productions charm, so far from the true events which they are supposed to tell about in the most accurate way. But after all, who cares? No folks, don't be disturbed by all those historical mistakes. That little western remains a very appreciable time waster. Routine but a feature that the movie buffs will be glad to see. Earl Bellamy worked most of his career for the TV industry.

If you search for authentic films about Seminole wars, at least far more accurate then this one, try instead Raoul Walsh's DISTANT DRUMS or Budd Boetticher's SEMINOLE. I have ween some other grade B westerns in black and white about Seminoles but I don't remind which ones.

Full of a lot of cliches and familiar themes.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 14 July 2022]

"Seminole Uprising" is a not particularly good western...one that is rather flawed and familiar. Some of the flaws are typical of 1950s westerns, such as the film featuring anachronistic weapons (it was set in 1855 and nearly EVERYONE has repeating rifles and pistoles...something rarely seen at the time) and obviously white actors playing Seminole Indians. The Seminole also repeat a frequent (and very bad) cliche...having the natives ride about in a really brainless manner in a seeming attempt to get themselves killed by the Cavalry! And finally, some of the flaws are in the dialog and characters...which are quite poor. They are one-dimensional and yell a lot...especially the leading man, George Montgomery.

Montgomery plays Lt. Cam Elliott, an officer in the US Cavalry who has been sent to try to get the Seminole to return to their crappy reservation in Florida. So why was Cam chosen? Well, he's part Seminole and his brother, Black Cat, is the leafer of these renegade natives. But the peace between Cam and Black Cat is becoming impossible thanks to some outside interference.

While I do enjoy a good western, too often they are filled with mistakes and fabrications, making them very inaccurate historically speaking. But the problem is deeper with this one...it's also amazingly subpar and not particularly engaging. And, with thousands and thousands of other westerns, why watch one that simply isn't all that good.