Review: Breathtaking Cinematography Makes 'Taza, Son Of Cochise' Worth Your Attention

Of the many Rock Hudson-Douglas Sirk collaborations, "Taza, Son of Cochise" is probably the worst of the bunch. Although it had a kind eye toward Native Americans that was uncharacteristic of the era, this western drama is rather threadbare and muddled in its politics. Yet, the breathtaking cinematography by Russell Metty ("Spartacus" and "Midnight Lace") is worth the attention.

The film is now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber and their Studio Classics label with a new 2K master, this is probably the best the film has looked at home. Plus, the release comes with a 3D option if you have the equipment to run such things.

The story takes place three years after the Apache Wars ended, with Taza (Rock Hudson) torn between protecting his brother Naiche (Rex Reason), who's out for blood, and upholding the peace that his father Cochise (Jeff Chandler) worked so hard to achieve. Naiche also has his eye on Oona (Barbara Rush), Taza's betrothed. Soon, a bigoted cavalry officer and Geronimo (Ian MacDonald) join the fold, which leads to a violent climax.

Sirk strangely marries your traditional western biopic with social commentary in this, but that appeal wears thin as the story deals in incidents rather than focus on character. When you watch something like "Magnificent Obsession" or "The Tarnished Angels," you get a heartbreaking look at men and women defined by their social status, struggling to rise above the ire of others around them. Here, those striking histrionics are rendered as dull as possible and struggle to find meaning within a western structure. Add in some blatant use of redface, and you have a really misguided film that can only try to understand the struggle of Native Americans at a base level.

The action, though, is gorgeous, and hints at the trademark dramatic sweep that Sirk was so adept at capturing. It's in these sequences that breathtaking vistas clash with gunplay. There's a terrific special feature with 3D expert Mike Ballew that studies the history of the 3D format and why this film in particular was indicative of a fad that was rapidly changing during the 1950s. I'd only pick this release up if you're interested in a minor work from Douglas Sirk or have an interest in 3D oddities. Other special features include:

� Audio commentary with film historian David Del Valle, author/screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner and 3D expert Mike Ballew
� Theatrical trailer

"Taza, Son of Cochise"
Blu-ray
$29.95
https://www.klstudioclassics.com/product/view/id/6952