Good concept and execution overall - my DVD (Alpha Home Video) ran 77 minutes in B & W. Color would've made a big difference. Still, the characterizations of the lead characters were good for most, and the general plot execution held together well.
The filming locations around Gallup and Acoma NM echo Monument Valley. The focus on the legendary Acoma Pueblo (aka Sky City) in western New Mexico seemed to be accurate; the mesa-top village (in miniature long shots) was pretty well done as were the cliffside scenes of attack and desperate defense. Unclear how much fighting was actually filmed at Acoma proper, as it is a sacred site.
Normally it was the Acomas defending the mesa and village, rather than trying to assault troops on the mesa from below. *The Spanish had laid siege to Acoma Pueblo as far back as the 16th Century.
A note on the mysterious "Lincoln Canes." These were indeed provided to a number of tribes and pueblos, engraved "1863" and "A. Lincoln." They were a respectful recognition of tribal identity and sovereignty - just do a search for Lincoln Canes. Clearly the film is correctly alluding to an act of great significance to the Native tribes, while taking some license with the actual event. That's Hollywood...
