‘Duel at Diablo’ Strays From Herd of Westerns

“Duel at Diablo” is a reasonably efficient and entertaining Western by journeyman director Ralph Nelson, who will never be compared to John Ford. But a number of things make the film noteworthy.

For one, “Duel at Diablo” is credited as the first Western to feature a black actor in a starring and heroic role. And the actor was Sidney Poitier, making his debut in the genre. The movie also introduced mainstream American audiences to Swedish actress Bibi Andersson, known mainly in art houses as Ingmar Bergman’s favorite leading lady.

The picture (which screens Wednesday and Jan. 6 at the Cypress Senior Citizen Center) can further be appreciated for its eager ‘60s idealism.

Made in 1966, “Duel at Diablo” steers away from the usual frontier cliches: The Indians may be savages, but they’re sublime ones, forced to rampage by their miserable life on the reservation. And the movie goes beyond that, offering a not-so-subtle message about racial understanding and acceptance just under its bullets-and-arrows surface.

Andersson (who doesn’t try to conceal her accent, which is never explained) plays the wife of the town’s shopkeeper (a typically harried Dennis Weaver). Having once been in love with the chief’s son, she would rather be living with the Apaches. But they’ve forced her out of the tribe, believing her somehow responsible for the death of her Apache lover during an encounter with soldiers.

Problem is, she was forced to leave their baby with the tribe. And when she kidnaps the infant with the help of Jess (James Garner), a solemn, do-gooding drifter, everybody jumps on the warpath, including the U.S. Cavalry.

Jess also has a story to tell. He was married to a Comanche woman and has endured the hate of bigots for years. When not helping strangers, Jess is on a mission to track down the man who murdered and scalped her.

Poitier is along for the adventure as an ex-sergeant turned fancy-man gambler who makes the mistake of tagging along with the cavalry as they head into Indian territory. He’s the coolest guy out there--quick with a quip and the best shot around. None of the cowpokes or soldiers dare call him by the “N” word, especially when he leads them in a last, seemingly hopeless battle with the Indians while trapped in Diablo Canyon.

Nelson can get awfully ham-fisted in laying out the storyline, but he and screenwriters Marvin Albert and Michel Grilikhes have their conscience in the right place. Besides, there’s enough action to satisfy most Western fans.

The director stages a frantic clash on horseback between the Indians and soldiers, and a few nifty shots (cinematographer Charles F. Wheeler’s camera dramatically follows an arrow as it hits home) enliven the wild finale.

Although the ‘60s influence improves “Duel at Diablo,” it does have at least one laughable repercussion. Neal Hefti’s musical score, which is--gratefully--only intermittent, is hilariously inappropriate. It sounds more like the backdrop for a soulful episode of “The Mod Squad” than for a Western set just after the Civil War.

* What: Ralph Nelson’s “Duel at Diablo.”

* When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, and Jan. 6 at 12:45 p.m.

* Where: The Cypress Senior Citizen Center, 9031 Grindlay St., Cypress.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway to Lincoln Avenue and head east to Grindlay Street, then go right.

* Wherewithal: FREE.

* Where to call: (714) 229-6776.