Aldrich, Robert (1918-83)

Director. Three Aldrich Westerns deserve prominent places in the history of the genre. Two are 'Indian Westerns', and while Apache, a key film of the 50s, is clearly pro-Indian, Ulzana's Raid produces a much more complex and con?troversial representation of the Indian, which goes beyond the stereotypes of noble savage and evil threat. Vera Cruz can be seen as an important precursor of later develop?ments in the genre. Its Mexican setting and its amoral tone anticipate both the Peckin-pah of The Wild Bunch and the hard, cynical world of the Italian Western of the 60s.

Filmography

Apache/Vera Cruz, 1954 ■ (p only) The Ride Back; 1957?■ The Last Sunset!'961 " 4 for Texas/1963?■ Ulzana's Raid! 1972 ■ The Frisco Kid! 1979 Television Hotel de Paree; 59