The story follows Willie Boy (played by Robert Blake), who kills the father of his fiancée, Lola (Katharine Ross), in what he considers self-defense during an ancient "marriage by capture" ritual. Forced into a relentless chase across the Mojave Desert, they are pursued by a posse led by Deputy Sheriff Christopher Cooper (Robert Redford). As the manhunt escalates, it coincides with a visit from President Taft, turning the pursuit into a sensationalized media circus that distorts the truth.
: While Robert Redford received top billing and won a BAFTA for Best Actor for his role, many critics felt the film truly belonged to Robert Blake for his "tense, restrained gravity" as Willie Boy.
: The film is highly praised for its "exceptionally impressive" Technicolor visuals by Conrad Hall and a "compelling" score by Dave Grusin.
Released in 1969, is a somber, revisionist Western that explores the collision of tribal traditions and the laws of the encroaching modern world. Directed by Abraham Polonsky—his first film after being blacklisted for nearly two decades—it is based on the real-life 1909 manhunt for a Paiute Native American named Willie Boy. Plot Overview
: Some viewers find the film "quite slow-paced" or "preachy," while others appreciate its "subtle, intense" critique of American intolerance. Tell Them Willie Boy is Here - TCM
: Unlike traditional Westerns of the era, the film is noted for its "energy and moral depth," focusing on racial persecution and the psychological toll of being an outsider.
