Watch Daughter of Dawn

The 1920 silent film Daughter of Dawn is a unique portrait of Native American history and culture. The film is set in the Comanche tribe's land, near the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma, and showcases the everyday lives and customs of Native Americans. The plot follows the love story of a Comanche chief's daughter, Wing Foot (Esther LeBarre), and a brave warrior named White Eagle (White Parker). The two lovers fight against all odds to be together amidst their peoples' conflict.

The film's story is very simple and straightforward, but it is significant in many ways. It depicts the unification of two warring Native American tribes and their lifestyle before the invasion of Europeans. The movie manages to showcase how peaceful and harmonious Native American culture was and how dedicated they were to their cultures and rituals.

Daughter of Dawn features an all-Native American cast, many of whom were non-professional actors. However, their performance is remarkable, as they convey authentic emotions and natural expressions. The native actors bring an insight into how a Comanche tribe portrayed its people and the common emotions shared by its individuals. Their custom attires, their daily routine, and their cultural practices are well-documented in the film.

The cinematography is breathtaking and captures the scenic beauty of the American Southwest, the red rocks, and sparse grassy plains. The camera work strengthens the narrative and immerses the viewers in the world of the Native American people. The Natural Landscape of Oklahoma was used effectively in creating the ambience of the Native tribes' existence.

Director Norbert A. Myles did an excellent job of capturing the nuances of storytelling within the Comanche culture, including the use of dance, song, and imagery. This includes the scene of a sunrise dance, which was not only considered important in their tradition, but it also connects beautifully with the story's themes. The use of music and song that accompanied the dance along with the rituals that go with it gave an authentic feel of what was being portrayed.

The film's dialogue is presented through intertitles, which delivers the movie's message subtly. The pronunciation of Native American's word and the accent which the actors brought added to the authenticity of the film. The types of traditional dresses worn and the hairstyle shown in the movie helps to recreate the era's look and prepare the spectator to travel back in time.

Overall, Daughter of Dawn stands out as a unique and significant film that respectfully portrays Native American culture and tradition. The film's original release was in 1920, but for some reasons, it was only a local phenomenon when released. It disappeared for decades, and in the 1970s, it was discovered in the basement of the director's grandson, who was able to obtain funds, and a copy was restored in cooperation with the Oklahoma Historical Society, George Eastman House, and the UCLA Film and Television Archive, amongst others. Today, the film remains an important piece of American film history and an essential document of Native American culture.

In conclusion, if you are interested in Native American culture, history or are an old western lover, Daughter of Dawn will have you mesmerized within its rich storyline and fascinating characters, which combines to create a compelling portrait of the Old West.

Daughter of Dawn is a 1920 western. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.