Buck and the Preacher

Poitier's first film as director has an excellent subject which is rather reminiscent of Ford's Wagon Master: the long, hard trek through the wilderness, harassed by marauding white nightriders all the way, of a group of Negro slaves freed after the end of the Civil War. It is pleasant enough, but somehow - despite excellent performances by Poitier (the intrepid wagonmaster) and Belafonte (a roguish preacher) - it never quite clicks. Nice, though, to see the Indians riding to the rescue instead of the Cavalry.