Run of the Arrow 1957

On the final day of the Civil War, Rod Steiger portrays Pvt. O’Meara, a Confederate soldier who finds himself embroiled in the chaos of war’s end. During a skirmish, he wounds Ralph Meeker as Union lieutenant Driscoll, but when O’Meara realizes the extent of his injury, he takes the wounded man to nearby Appomattox. There, he witnesses the historic surrender negotiations between General Lee and General Grant, just as the war culminates.

In a tense moment, O’Meara nearly shoots Grant, but is stopped by the doctor handling Driscoll’s care. The doctor extracts the bullet from Driscoll’s shoulder and gives it to O’Meara, symbolizing perhaps a twist of fate. Disillusioned with the post-war American society and the pain endured by his family and community, O’Meara defies his mother’s pleas for him to settle down and rebuild. Instead, he declares himself a man without a country, rejecting the authority of the United States.

Seeking a new purpose, O’Meara heads westward, hoping to join the Sioux nation as they continue their resistance against the American military. His journey into unfamiliar, often hostile territory proves difficult, but he finds companionship with Jay C. Flippen as Walking Coyote, an aging Oglala scout who speaks English and is returning to his tribe to die. Walking Coyote becomes both a mentor and a friend, teaching O’Meara the Sioux language and customs.

Their travels take a perilous turn when they are captured by Sioux warriors led by Crazy Wolf, a fierce leader intent on executing them. However, Walking Coyote invokes the traditional rite of the “run of the arrow,” a dangerous ritual that might save their lives if they can endure being flighted with arrows in their path. During this ordeal, Walking Coyote succumbs, sacrificing himself to protect O’Meara. The young soldier is saved by a group of Sioux women, among whom is Sara Montiel as Yellow Moccasin, a woman who helps him present himself to the tribe’s chief, Charles Bronson as Blue Buffalo.

O’Meara earns the tribe’s respect and is granted safe haven while he recuperates, largely because of their mutual disdain for American authority. During his time among them, he falls in love with Yellow Moccasin and seeks her permission to marry her. He openly declares, “In my heart, my nation is Sioux,” embodying his new identity and allegiance. When discussing spiritual beliefs, O’Meara draws parallels between his Christian God and the Sioux’s Great Spirit, which helps him integrate further into their community. The couple adopts a mute orphan boy known as Silent Tongue, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.

As tension builds with the U.S. military, Stuart Randall as Col. Taylor and other officers negotiate with Sioux leaders, including Red Cloud, for the peaceful construction of Fort Lincoln within designated territory. During this period, O’Meara becomes a guide and translator for Captain Clark, played by Brian Keith, and Lieutenant Driscoll, his former enemy who now exhibits a deep-seated animosity toward the Indians.

Their mission becomes perilous when Crazy Wolf and his men attack the site, killing Captain Clark and causing chaos. O’Meara manages to disarm Crazy Wolf, offering him the “run of the arrow”—a ritual that Crazy Wolf accepts, but during the ritual, Driscoll violates the sacred custom and shoots Crazy Wolf, inflicting a fatal wound. Crazy Wolf is ultimately taken back to his tribe by O’Meara, who is now deeply involved in the complex web of diplomacy and conflict.

The situation escalates when the army, under new strategic commands, moves the fort’s location without respecting the Sioux agreement. This breach triggers suspicions and tensions within the tribe. Blue Buffalo, the Sioux chief, prepares to defend his people but agrees to O’Meara’s plea for peace. Yet, during the ensuing confrontation, Driscoll’s ruthless nature comes to the fore. He captures O’Meara and prepares to hang him, but as the tribe prepares to retaliate, Crazy Wolf’s tribe attacks in a violent clash that results in many casualties and the destruction of the fort.

Amid the chaos, Driscoll is captured and stands on the brink of being skinned alive for his treachery. Showing mercy, O’Meara approaches with the old bullet, shooting Driscoll to prevent further cruelty. Yellow Moccasin criticizes O’Meara for his hesitation, claiming he is not truly Sioux because he refers to the warriors as “they” instead of “we,” revealing the lasting internal conflict within him. Ultimately, O’Meara recognizes that he remains a man without a true homeland.

Choosing to lead the surviving soldiers away from the conflict, O’Meara, Yellow Moccasin, and Silent Tongue set their course back to Fort Laramie, embracing their new identities and shared bond. The story underscores themes of loyalty, cultural identity, and the complex aftermath of war, highlighting O’Meara’s transformation from a man defined by hatred and loss to someone who finds new purpose among the Sioux, seeking peace and understanding in a fractured world.