NR | 1h 13m | Drama, Western | 1960
Intense Filmmaking
“Comanche Station” has one of the most intense, yet beautiful openings I’ve seen. As the credits roll, we see clusters of smooth, beige boulders that look as though they were sculpted out of clay. These unusual rock formations in the foreground stand in dramatic contrast with the jagged snow-crested blue peaks of a sprawling mountain range reaching for the skies in the background.As the story starts, a lone cowboy, Jefferson Cody (Scott), rides into view towing a mule carrying some cargo. Cody, an ex-army major is on a rescue mission into dangerous territory. A Comanche tribe kidnapped a woman after they ambushed a party she was traveling with. Comanches are known as the fiercest, most aggressive American Indians of the Great Plains tribes.
As he rides, Cody is suddenly surrounded by the very Comanche braves he’s been seeking. From elevated positions, over a dozen warriors encircle him, creating a palpable sense of tension. Using Indian hand gestures, Cody skillfully negotiates an audience with the tribe’s leader. He barters his cargo for the release of Nancy Lowe (Nancy Gates), the kidnapped woman.
Cody and Nancy hastily ride away back to her husband in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Their journey soon brings them to the titular Comanche Station. The station’s manager is absent, but the pair soon encounters three men being pursued by a group of Comanche: Ben Lane (Claude Akins) and his underlings Frank (Skip Homeier) and Dobie (Richard Rust).
Fascinating Characters
Comanche Station runs a brisk 1 hour and 13 minutes, with a tight script and dynamic pacing. Some of the film’s most suspenseful moments are nearly devoid of dialogue, such as the nail-biting scene where Cody attempts to communicate with the Comanche through hand signals in the film’s opening sequence.Thanks to the strong performances of the cast, much of the story’s tension and emotion is conveyed through subtle expressions and body language. For example, Ben Lane saunters over to Nancy, who is sleeping near the station’s horse pen in the middle of the night. He wakes her and drops to his knees in a seemingly humble gesture. However, his crooked smile and the glint in his beady eyes betray a simmering menace, making the scene unsettling.
The film also features interpersonal dynamics and shifting allegiances among the well-drawn characters. One standout is Dobie, the youngest of the interlopers. While he initially comes across as inexperienced and impressionable, his late-night conversation with Frank, Lane’s right-hand man, reveals a deeper layer. Dobie reflects on his father’s advice to “amount to something,” which causes Frank to question his own loyalty to the morally dubious Lane, hinting at internal conflict within the group.
A Western Gem
“Comanche Station” offers a nuanced portrayal of the Comanche, presenting them as both fierce and honorable. Their warlike actions are depicted as retaliatory responses to the encroachments of outsiders, reflecting a sense of justified aggression rather than mindless violence.
Cody’s interaction with them is marked by a wary respect; he understands that their adherence to trading norms is fragile. As a strong male character and no pushover, Cody prefers to avoid conflict, showing a desire to coexist peacefully as long as possible.
The film’s framing of these elements, combined with its striking scenery and character dynamics, makes “Comanche Station” a fine example of the Western genre. The film offers both visual splendor and an interesting narrative.
