This tale features the corny professionalism that makes American International Pictures so fun to watch. Although politically incorrect and revisionist, it touches the heart. The viewer sees the late Natalie Wood's sister giving it her all. Alex Cord goes against type to be genuine in his depiction. Western fixtures Ben Johnson, Jack Elam, Paul Fix, Charles Pierce, etc., enhance any horse opera. Critics, use your free rental coupon to watch 'Dances with Wolves'. Fans of Samuel Z. Arkoff, get the popcorn ready. You'll also need a handkerchief and a strong stomach for the implied violence. Just sit back and enjoy the show.

What - that's it? I'm trying to take away something meaningful from this picture, but it's not working. Let's see - Beth Colter (Lana Wood) is kidnapped by the title character (Alex Cord),and it's ultimately revealed that he did so in order to introduce her to her biological father, a dying chief of the Cheyenne tribe. So how is it that John Colter (Ben Johnson) might not have figured this out and been a little more realistic about Grayeagle's intentions? Without a back story about the origin of Colter and his daughter, how is the viewer supposed to react when her paternity is revealed? I mean, we see Colter going to pray at the grave of his wife, who Beth acknowledges as her mother. Colter's friend Standing Bear (Iron Eyes Cody) knows all about Beth's Cheyenne background, but all this time he's kept that secret? I mean, she didn't just fall from the sky at birth, but the whole time Colter played it like his wife was Beth's mother. Am I missing something here?

Without trying to figure it all out, probably the best one can expect from this picture are the characterizations. Alex Cord as Greyeagle is sufficiently regal in his bearing and demeanor, and he adequately filled the role (for a white man playing an Indian that is). Charles Pierce as the demented bugler was something of an anomaly for a Western character, and I always enjoy seeing Jack Elam in any kind of role. As well as Iron Eyes Cody, but gee, couldn't Colter have treated him with a little more respect as a purported friend instead of bossing him around the way he did? The Lone Ranger considered Tonto an equal partner even when he asked him to go into town to scout out the bad guys. You'd think that Colter could say please once in a while.

Then you have Paul Fix in the opening credits as Running Wolf, so when it comes time for Running Wolf to appear on screen, I'm asking myself, where's Paul Fix? That didn't look like any kind of make up job, and I had to wonder if the real Paul Fix sent a stand in that no one noticed. Just another question mark that pops up along with all the others.

What it comes down to is that this is one baffling movie that could have really made it if a little more thought went into the story to clean up some of major sticking points. What I might have to do is watch it again the next time it hits Encore Westerns to see if I missed something. But I'm betting I didn't.

Alex Cord plays the title role, one of the mightiest Cheyenne warriors that ever lived. One day, he kidnaps Beth Colter (Lana Wood),the daughter of homesteader John Colter (Ben Johnson),for reasons that remain obscure until well into the story. John sets out on an epic search for his child, accompanied by his Indian friend Standing Bear (Iron Eyes Cody) and his eccentric buddy Trapper Willis (Jack Elam). After all the time she spends with Grayeagle, Beth realizes that it's true: he means her no harm, and in fact will be determined to protect her.

"Grayeagle" is a reasonably appealing Western that does go on a bit long. The sequence in which John and Willis are harassed by trouble-making Shoshones, in particular, is protracted. But overall, this not-uninteresting reworking of the plot of "The Searchers" is noteworthy for being just as much an Indian story as it is a Western. Written, produced, and directed by Charles B. Pierce, it has excellent atmosphere (it takes place in Montana territory in 1848),superb widescreen photography by Jim Roberson (who also edited),and a simply wonderful music score by the under-rated composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava. It has action, drama, and comedy, with Elam effortlessly stealing the show as he was so often prone to do. Also: while characters can and do die, the film is violent without being particularly gory.

The performances are mostly solid, although the crazed character (the Bugler) played by Pierce himself does wear out his welcome early on, and Woods' character can get annoying at times. Also appearing are the great character actor Paul Fix as an aged Chief named Running Wolf, and Pierce regulars like Cindy Butler and Jimmy Clem. Both Cody (a longtime fixture in this genre) and Cord have an effective screen presence.

Likeable entertainment with an endearing feel-good ending.

Seven out of 10.