Sitting Bull (1954)

J. Carrol Naish: Sitting Bull

Quotes 

• Sitting Bull : I have wanted peace. I have prayed for peace. There have been battles. But when the white soldiers win a battle, they call it victory. When the Indians win, they call it massacre.

• [first lines] 

  Sitting Bull : These are the Black Hills of Dakota. The Sioux Indians named this land. It is their word for "friendly." There are seven warrior tribes in the Sioux Nation. And I have prayed the Dakota and its hills would be too rough for the white man and his plows. But, once again, the white man comes. I watch their coming with a sad heart. There are few now, but I know that many will come for they seek the white man's treasure... gold.

• Sitting Bull : See, Crazy Horse, the wagons come without scouts ahead. These men come to our land as if they owned it.

  Crazy Horse : They are like white man's cattle; full-bellied, stupid, and slow.

• Crazy Horse : When the deer run, does the wolf pack hide?

  Sitting Bull : A wise leader eats when he can. He builds strength for the day when he must fight... to live.

• [last lines] 

  President Ulysses S. Grant : To peace.

  Sitting Bull : To friendship.

• Major Robert 'Bob' Parrish : Great chief, will you listen to the words of my chief?

  Sitting Bull : Speak.

  Major Robert 'Bob' Parrish : Move your braves across the little river. My chief too has many soldiers. They will come and they'll stop on their side. But neither army must strike a blow while you come to the great white chief with the big counsel.

  Sitting Bull : I will say "yes" to this meeting.

  [They share a peace pipe] 

  Major Robert 'Bob' Parrish : What is your plan, Sitting Bull?

  Sitting Bull : My braves will hold their arrows, but your chief must come here. He will meet me between the two armies in the open country.

  Major Robert 'Bob' Parrish : You mean bring the president here?

  Sitting Bull : If this meeting fails, then both armies will come together. The chiefs in the middle will die first. This is the Indian way.

• Sitting Bull : [Counseling his tribe]  When a man draws his arrow on enemy, he must shoot. When I dip my fingers in the war paint, it will mean war. But this I counsel you, gather all the nations together before you draw the first arrow. It will seem easy to drive back the men who want the yellow stones, but if we fight them, we must fight the long knifes. The soldiers. So, this I counsel you. Send runners to all the nations of the Sioux, to the Cheyenne, to the Croix, who have been our enemies. Send runners to all our cousins. Send them now, Crazy Horse. Gather all our armies . We will make sure our voice strong before we fit the arrow.

• Sitting Bull : Oh, great spirit. Now I come to ask for strength. The war paint is ready. Give us strength and courage. If the battle must come, it will be the last fight.