Mohawk (1956 film)

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Mohawk is a 1956 American adventure western romance film directed by Kurt Neumann. It stars Scott Brady, Rita Gam and Neville Brand.

The story is set in the late 18th century in upstate New York’s Mohawk Valley. An 18th‑century Boston artist named Jonathon Adams goes to Fort Alden to paint landscapes and portraits of Native Americans. Cynthia Stanhope, a society lady from Boston, travels with her Aunt Agatha to surprise Adams, who is painting a local barmaid, Greta Jones. Adams grows close to Onida, the daughter of Iroquois chief Kowanen.

Butler, a white settler and loyalist, hates the white settlers in the valley and tries to stir trouble with the Indians. Kowanen’s son Keoga and Rokhawah plan a raid to steal muskets. With Onida’s help, they enter the fort, but are discovered during their escape and several are killed. Adams helps Onida escape, and while escorting her back to her people, he begins to fall for her.

Adams earns the respect of Kowanen after defeating Rokhawah in a fight. He offers to paint Kowanen’s portrait to show whites how the Indians live. Butler pressures Captain Langley to attack the fort, but Langley initially refuses. Later, Langley learns of Butler’s instigation and tries to pursue peace. Kowanen agrees to a gesture of peace by having Keoga accompany Langley and Adams back to the fort, but they are ambushed and Keoga is killed by Butler’s forces.

Adams returns to the fort with Keoga’s body, and Kowanen considers war. Rokhawah suggests burning Adams at the stake, but Onida helps him escape and kills Rokhawah. Adams reaches the fort as the Indians close in. Butler tries to bolt from the fort, but is killed by an arrow when the Indians attack. After several failed assaults, reinforcements arrive and the Indians are driven back. Adams persuades Kowanen that Butler provoked the war, and a truce is declared.

Cynthia returns to Boston with Adams’s paintings, but Adams stays behind to be with Onida. The film uses some footage from an earlier film, and it loosely references historic events such as the Cherry Valley massacre.