WITH SITTING BULL AT THE SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE

Cinemavixion Review

Robert N. Bradbury's "With Sitting Bull at the Spirit Lake Massacre" is a rediscovered silent Western that offers a compelling, albeit brief, glimpse into a tumultuous period of American history. Released in 1927, this film, which had been lost for decades, stars Chief Yowlachie in a commanding performance as Sitting Bull. The narrative, set in the 1860s or 1870s, centers on the escalating tensions between expanding white settlements and the Sioux Indians near Spirit Lake, Iowa. Yowlachie, portraying Sitting Bull's deep connection to his ancestral lands and his spiritual resolve, anchors the film's dramatic core. Bryant Washburn and Anne Schaefer provide solid support, contributing to the authenticity of the era depicted. While its runtime is modest and details may be sparse due to its silent nature, the film's surfacing is a significant event for cinephiles and historians alike, offering a valuable perspective on the frontier narrative from a viewpoint often marginalized in early cinema. Its rediscovery allows modern audiences to appreciate the artistry and storytelling of a bygone era, making it a noteworthy addition to the Western genre's canon.