Modoc

About

‘Modoc’ (1980) 15m, dir. Peter Winograd. The story of the 1873 Modoc Indian War against the encroachment of white settlers, who "brought smallpox, whisky, and Christianity". Tired of life on the reservation, this tribe, numbering 150, took back their ancestral lands, killing 14 settlers in the process. Union troops were routed when they attempted to fight the Modocs, who defended their territory from atop the rugged lava-encrusted hills along the California-Oregon border. Another battle was raging within the Modoc as well, with one faction, led by Captain Jack, arguing for a peaceful settlement with Union general Canby, and another, led by Curly-headed Doctor, in favor of fighting the federal government. Eventually, Captain Jack agreed to assassinate Canby. This war, the only Indian war fought within the borders of California, came to a somewhat predictable conclusion. A fascinating, well-made film, this is yet another example of a "lost" film, no longer being distributed.

Archive

Internet Archive, in Academic films

Licence or status

The Internet Archive states none for this item.

Credit

Peter Winograd

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