SASKATCHEWAN
aka O'Rourke of the Canadian Mounted
DIRECTED BY RAOUL WALSH
UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL PICTURES (UI)
INFORMATION FROM IMDb
Plot Summary
O'Rourke and his Cree half brother Cajou are returning from a northern Canadian trapping trip when they encounter a burned wagon train and sole survivor Grace. Naive Mountie commander Benton believes it to be a Cree attack. The Sioux from across the border are trying to force the Cree into being allies in their struggle with the U.S. 7th Cavalry. O'Rourke must mutiny to save the men. He must also aid Grace, in whom Marshal Smith has both official and unprovoked amorous interests.
Written by Ed Stephan
Cast
Alan Ladd ... Thomas O'Rourke
Shelley Winters ... Grace Markey
J. Carrol Naish ... Batoche
Hugh O'Brian ... Carl Smith
Robert Douglas ... Benton
George J. Lewis ... Lawson
Richard Long ... Abbott
Jay Silverheels ... ajou
Antonio Moreno ... Chief Dark Cloud
Frank Chase ... Keller
Lowell Gilmore ... Banks
Anthony Caruso ... Spotted Eagle
Henry Wills ... Merrill
Bob Herron ... Brill (as Robert D. Herron)
and many more...
Directed
Raoul Walsh
Writing Credits
Gil Doud ... (story)(screenplay)
Produced
Aaron Rosenberg ... producer
Music
William Lava ... (uncredited)
Henry Mancini ... (uncredited)
Hans J. Salter ... (uncredited)
Frank Skinner ... (uncredited)
Herman Stein ... (uncredited)
Cinematography
John F. Seitz ... director of photography (as John Seitz)
Trivia
Canadian Big Band leader Moxie Whitney and his musicians were extras many times in this movie. They played the bad guys, the good guys as well as mounties.
On the set of this film, Alan Ladd became seriously ill with an infection, but insisted to continue his work on the movie.
Goofs
Continuity
When Batouche spots the Cree and Sioux following, he sees them by looking down from a high point. However, when O'Rourke looks at them through the binoculars he sees them from front on, at ground level.
Errors in geography
There are no mountains in Saskatchewan.
Shelley Winters asks the Mountie guarding the jail in Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan how far the fort is from Montana. The guard answers "the border is about 18 to 20 miles south of here". The U.S. border is about 40 miles (65 km) south of Fort Walsh.
Movie is titled Saskatchewan but that province does not have the Rocky Mountains which dominate this film. Prettier, yes, but not factual, as the film was supposed to be based on a true story.
Factual errors
The Northwest Mounted Police did not fight any battles with the Sioux. In fact the Sioux foray into Canada after Custer's Last Stand was quite peaceful.
Sioux chief Crazy Horse did not flee to Canada after Custer's Last Stand.
Filming Locations
Alberta, Canada (Stoney Indian Reserves)
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Peyto Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (Crowfoot Glacier)
Watch the Movie
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