New Mexico (1951)
A cavalry captain fights for peace on the frontier as military pride and political pressure push two cultures toward inevitable conflict.
New Mexico - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1951
- Directed by: Irving Reis
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 16m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 18, 1951 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: Irving Allen Productions, United Artists
- Production Countries: United States of America
New Mexico - Plot
Captain Hunt of the cavalry is trying to promote good relations with the Indian chief Acoma. But Hunt's superiors in the military insist on pursuing policies that will provoke a conflict, and Chief Acoma is not willing to let himself be insulted.
New Mexico - Trailer
See the action unfold in this classic frontier adventure from 1951:
ARROW-STREAKED ADVENTURE! BULLET-SCARRED STORY!!!
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New Mexico - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Irving Reis
Main Cast
- Lew Ayres
- Marilyn Maxwell
- Andy Devine
- Robert Hutton
- Donald Buka
- Ted de Corsia
- Lloyd Corrigan
- John Hoyt
- Jeff Corey
- Raymond Burr
Writers
- Max Trell
Producers
- Irving Allen
New Mexico - FAQs
What is New Mexico (1951) about?
New Mexico follows Captain Hunt, a cavalry officer who genuinely wants peace between the U.S. Army and the Native American tribe led by Chief Acoma. His efforts are undermined by hawkish military superiors and a chief unwilling to absorb further insults, pushing the frontier toward unavoidable conflict.
Does New Mexico take a sympathetic view of Native Americans?
For a 1951 Western, New Mexico is notably even-handed. Chief Acoma is portrayed as a dignified leader with legitimate grievances rather than a simple villain. The film places much of the blame for conflict on rigid military policy, giving the Native American perspective more weight than most Westerns of its era.
Where can you stream New Mexico (1951)?
New Mexico is available on several platforms. You can watch it free on Tubi TV, Plex, Hoopla, JustWatch TV, and Fawesome, or with a subscription on fuboTV, MGM+, and Philo. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, making it easy to catch however you prefer.
Who plays the villain in New Mexico (1951)?
Raymond Burr, years before his iconic role as Perry Mason, appears as Pvt. Anderson — one of the troublemaking soldiers whose actions help ignite the conflict. Ted de Corsia also delivers a commanding performance as Chief Acoma, though the film frames him more as an antagonist born of circumstance than pure villainy.
Who are the main cast members in New Mexico?
The film stars Lew Ayres as the peace-seeking Captain Hunt, Marilyn Maxwell as Cherry, and Andy Devine as the affable Sgt. Garrity. The supporting cast includes Robert Hutton, Donald Buka, Ted de Corsia as Chief Acoma, John Hoyt, Jeff Corey, and a young Raymond Burr.
Is New Mexico (1951) worth watching today?
If you enjoy classic Westerns with a moral conscience, New Mexico holds up reasonably well. Its willingness to question U.S. cavalry policy and humanize the Native American chief sets it apart from many contemporaries. At a brisk 76 minutes, it's an efficient, earnest frontier drama with a solid ensemble cast.
Who directed New Mexico and what else did he make?
Irving Reis directed New Mexico. A versatile Hollywood filmmaker of the 1940s and early 1950s, Reis also helmed The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) and All My Sons (1948). New Mexico was among his later works before his untimely death in 1953.
What are some movies similar to New Mexico (1951)?
Fans of New Mexico will likely enjoy Broken Arrow (1950), which shares its sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans, as well as Rio Grande (1950) and Only the Valiant (1951) for their cavalry-frontier drama. Hondo (1953) and The Indian Fighter (1955) are also strong picks from the same era.
More About New Mexico
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