Taza, Son of Cochise (1954)
Douglas Sirk's visually striking 1954 Western follows a young Apache leader navigating loyalty, love, and the threat of all-out war.
Taza, Son of Cochise - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1954
- Directed by: Douglas Sirk
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 19m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 18, 1954 (United States - NR), November 17, 1954 (Germany - 12), June 8, 1955 (France)
- Production Companies: Universal International Pictures, Ross Hunter Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Taza, Son of Cochise - Plot
Three years after the end of the Apache wars, peacemaking chief Cochise dies. His elder son Taza shares his ideas, but brother Naiche yearns for war...and for Taza's betrothed, Oona. Naiche loses no time in starting trouble which, thanks to a bigoted cavalry officer, ends with the proud Chiricahua Apaches on a reservation, where they are soon joined by the captured renegade Geronimo, who is all it takes to light the firecracker's fuse...
Taza, Son of Cochise - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the conflict unfold on the Arizona frontier:
He led the Apache nation against Geronimo's last great raid!!!
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Taza, Son of Cochise - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Douglas Sirk
Main Cast
- Rock Hudson
- Barbara Rush
- Gregg Palmer
- Rex Reason
- Morris Ankrum
- Eugene Iglesias
- Richard H. Cutting
- Ian MacDonald
- Jeff Chandler
- Robert Burton
Writers
- Gerald Drayson Adams
- George Zuckerman
Producers
- Ross Hunter
Taza, Son of Cochise - FAQs
Who plays Taza in Taza, Son of Cochise?
Rock Hudson plays the title role of Taza, the elder son of the legendary Apache chief Cochise. Hudson brings a stoic dignity to the part, portraying a leader torn between honoring his father's legacy of peace and confronting the violent ambitions of his brother Naiche and the defiant Geronimo.
Is Taza, Son of Cochise based on a true story?
Yes, the film draws on real history. Taza and Naiche were actual sons of the Chiricahua Apache chief Cochise, and Geronimo was a genuine historical figure. While the screenplay takes dramatic liberties, the broad backdrop — the post-war reservation era and tensions among the Chiricahua — reflects documented events of the 1870s.
What is Taza, Son of Cochise about?
Set three years after the Apache wars, the film follows Taza as he tries to uphold his late father Cochise's peace with the U.S. Army. His brother Naiche craves both war and Taza's betrothed, Oona. Caught between tribal division, a bigoted cavalry officer, and the volatile Geronimo, Taza fights to hold his people together.
Did Douglas Sirk direct Taza, Son of Cochise?
Yes, Douglas Sirk directed the film. Best known for his lush melodramas like All That Heaven Allows and Written on the Wind, Sirk brought a surprisingly nuanced visual sensibility to this Western, shot in 3-D by cinematographer Russell Metty. It stands as one of the more visually polished Westerns of the early 1950s.
Was Taza, Son of Cochise filmed in 3-D?
Yes, Taza, Son of Cochise was originally released in 3-D, capitalizing on the early-1950s stereoscopic craze. Cinematographer Russell Metty shot the film with that format in mind, using depth and spatial staging to dramatic effect. Many theaters screened it flat, but the 3-D version showcased some inventive visual compositions.
Who are the main actors in Taza, Son of Cochise?
The cast is led by Rock Hudson as Taza and Barbara Rush as his betrothed Oona. Rex Reason plays the antagonistic brother Naiche, while Jeff Chandler reprises his celebrated role as Cochise in a brief appearance. Ian MacDonald portrays Geronimo, and Gregg Palmer, Morris Ankrum, and Robert Burton round out the supporting cast.
When was Taza, Son of Cochise released?
Taza, Son of Cochise opened in the United States on February 18, 1954. It later reached German audiences on November 17, 1954, and French audiences on June 8, 1955. The film was produced by Universal International Pictures and Ross Hunter Productions.
What are movies similar to Taza, Son of Cochise?
If you enjoy this film, you might also like The Battle at Apache Pass (1952), which features Jeff Chandler as Cochise again, or Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) for a later take on the same era. Pillars of the Sky (1956), 40 Guns to Apache Pass (1967), and News of the World (2020) offer similarly frontier-flavored storytelling.
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