Cheyenne Autumn is based on a true story from 1878 in which more than three hundred Northern Cheyenne escape from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency at Fort Reno, Oklahoma, to return to their home in the north. They are led by Chiefs Dull Knife and Little Wolf and guided by an elderly woman. In January 1879 General Phillip Sheridan and Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz order Chief Dull Knife and his Cheyenne to leave Fort Robinson, Nebraska, and return to their reservation in the Indian Territory. But the Indians make a daring night time escape.

   The movie is said the be Ford's tribute to the American Indians but it was a shame that he cast Latins Del Rio, Mineo and Montalban as the Native Americans.

   There is also some awful dialogue in this movie by the Indians.

I must sleep with no wife. Saving all my strength for the fight against the soldiers. But your son tries to steal my youngest wife.
This cannot be. he is of my blood and my blood has never been bad.
He is of your blood but he is not you.

   There is a pretty good scene of Jimmy Stewart as Wyatt Earp. I don't know what it had to do with the movie but it was a welcome relief from the weak script.

   Overall I found this movie to be very disappointing. It was supposed to be a tribute but overall I found it to be offensive and boring.