Battles of Chief Pontiac

Battles of Chief Pontiac is a 1952 American quasi-historical Western film directed by Felix E. Feist. The drama features Lex Barker, Helen Westcott and Lon Chaney Jr. Lon Chaney plays an American Indian chief.

Plot

Conflict between Ottawa Native Americans, led by Chief Pontiac, and the British during 1763.

Cast

Lex Barker as Lt. Kent McIntire
Helen Westcott as Winifred Lancaster
Lon Chaney Jr. as Chief Pontiac
Berry Kroeger as Col. von Weber
Roy Roberts as Maj. Gladwin
Larry Chance as Hawkbill
Katherine Warren as Chia
Ramsay Hill as Gen. Sir Jeffrey Amherst
Guy Teague as Von Weber's aide
James Fairfax as Guardhouse sentry
Abner George as Doctor

Reception

Critical response

Film critic Hans J. Wollstein gave the film a mixed review, writing, "Burly actor Lon Chaney, Jr. said that the role of Chief Pontiac in this cheap action-thriller from low-budget entrepreneur Jack Broder, was one he truly coveted. Unfortunately, Chaney and the rest of the cast were let down by a preachy and frankly dreadful screenplay by Jack de Witt... Battles of Chief Pontiac was filmed on location near Rapid City, South Dakota, and the scenery remains its only attractive feature."