Tecumseh (1972)

North America, early 19th century. After being forcibly driven from their lands, the Indians are now being pushed ever farther into the infertile western territories by the settlers, who use fraudulent purchase agreements as well. The greediest of the white men is Harrison, the governor of Indiana; he alone concludes fifteen purchase agreements at derisory prices. The Shawnee chief Tecumseh tries to stop Harrison’s activities. He has the advantage of knowing the white people’s language and culture well, because he grew up among them, in the home of McKew, a liberal justice of the peace and arms dealer. McKew’s son Simon is Tecumseh’s best friend. Tecumseh is even in love with McKew’s daughter Eileen, and the two plan to marry soon. Tecumseh leaves the McKew home and, in 1811, unites the Indians, who now declare their land to be inalienable communal property. Chiefs who nevertheless sell land are killed by their own tribal confederation. Tecumseh hopes to buy the firearms he needs from Simon. Simon refuses to give the Indians weapons, but Eileen comes to their aid. She secretly takes rifles and ammunition to Tippecanoe, Indiana, the “Holy City” founded by Tecumseh and his friends. On her way back, she is attacked, robbed, and seriously wounded, then disappears. When Simon learns what happened, he blames the Indians. He now becomes Tecumseh’s bitter enemy and allies himself with Harrison, who attacks the Indian city with American troops and completely destroys it (the Battle of Tippecanoe). The massacre’s survivors are able to flee to Canada. The British, who are at war with America in what is known as the Second War of Independence, welcome Tecumseh gladly and even promise him an Indian state of his own. In recognition of his abilities, Tecumseh is appointed a British brigadier general. The British lose the decisive battle against US troops in 1813 and abandon their Indian allies. Tecumseh falls along with his fellow tribesmen.