Classic Movie: The Lone Ranger (Original 1956 Film)

Synopsis: Mr. Kilgore wants to mine silver on Indian land. The mountain he wants is sacred to the Indians. The Lone Ranger serves as a peacemaker between the Native Americans and the ranchers of the territory. He does his good deeds without calling attention to himself, preferring that his identity remain secret. 

Observation: This is a very well made movie in terms of it's portrayal of the cultural context of the old wild west. Notice how the Southern Strategy is used as a part of daily life to pick on the Indians which eventually led to their Genocide. The chiefs, like Red Hawk (Tribal Chief) portrayed here, knew that rumors and framing were leading to a war and they accepted it as a part of their life.  For it's portrayal of the west  & its superb acting given it's decade... this movie gets 5 stars *****

Native American Quotes:

"When a white army battles Indians and wins, it is called a great victory, but if they lose it is called a massacre." - Chiksika, Shawnee

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." - Blackfoot

"I was hostile to the white man...We preferred hunting to a life of idleness on our reservations. At times we did not get enough to eat and we were not allowed to hunt. All we wanted was peace and to be let alone. Soldiers came...in the winter..and destroyed our villages. Then Long Hair (Custer) came...They said we massacred him, but he would have done the same to us. Our first impulse was to escape...but we were so hemmed in we had to fight. After that I lived in peace, but the government would not let me alone. I was not allowed to remain quiet. I was tired of fighting...They tried to confine me..and a soldier ran his bayonet into me. I have spoken.” - Crazy Horse – Sioux Chief

I do not think the measure of a civilization 
is how tall its buildings of concrete are, 

But rather how well its people have learned to relate 
to their environment and fellow man. 

Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe