DANIEL BOONE: EMPIRE OF THE LOST (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas about the exploits of Daniel Boone, the American frontiersman and folk hero. In this episode, Boone returns from a solo trip to find his town of Boonesborough deserted. He soon discovers a group of British soldiers who explain that the town has been evacuated on suspicion of rebellion and that a regiment will soon arrive. Boone protests the unfair treatment of the women and children, and he is taken away. The ruthless Colonel Worthing then says that he wants Boone to sign over the title of Boonesborough to him, threatening to hang him as the leader of the rebellion if he refuses. Boone demands to be taken to see his family, and they travel to the soldiers’ fort in a canoe. On the way, Boone notes that they are trespassing on the natives’ land, but Lieutenant Morris is unconcerned about the treaty with the “savages,” fully intending to double-cross them. He says that he does not question his orders, but Boone cautions him that Worthing may very well betray him as well. Worthing tells Morris that he informed Boone of his treacherous plan, believing he will sign over the town to protect his people, as they will turn on him if he refuses.
The next day, Boone observes the cannons positioned near the fort, and Worthing says that they are a “precaution” against the natives. Boone is finally taken to see his family, who are unhurt but imprisoned along with the rest of the town. He agrees to sign the title to free his own relatives, but says everyone else is on their own, calling them “yellow cowards” for allowing themselves to be captured. A fight commences, but the soldiers break it up, suspecting that Boone is trying to engineer an escape. He denies this, asking if the settlers are being used as bait to trap the natives, and Worthing admits it. Boone manages to overtake the soldiers guarding him and escapes into a lake. When he surfaces, he is captured by a native named White Feather with whom he previously had a quarrel and is taken to the chief. Back at the fort, the colonel is doubts that Boone will go to the natives, as they have a price on his head, but the others point out that he would not abandon his people. Worthing questions Rebecca about her husband’s whereabouts and tries to make her believe that he betrayed her by not signing the title and has since fled, but she stonewalls him, trusting in Boone. At the natives’ camp, White Feather tells Boone, known as “Big Turtle,” that he “took his honor” by defeating him in a fight and allowing him to live, and the chief orders them to fight again, this time to the death. Boone, however, explains about the British soldiers’ plan to trap the natives using the settlers and suggests that White Feather can reclaim his honor by working with him to defeat the soldiers and restore peace for all.
Boone and White Feather sneak off to the fort together and alert Cincinnatus and Rebecca to their presence by using bird calls, and then disable the cannons. In the morning, the colonel sees their canoe and realizes what Boone has done, and orders Morris to turn the colonists over to the natives. Nearby, Boone apologizes to White Feather for their previous encounter, and White Feather accepts. Worthing commands his men to man the cannons and fire on the terrified people, but the guns malfunction. Boone and White Feather appear and order the soldiers to leave once and for all, and though Worthing attempts to attack them, Boone overpowers him and he is arrested for his betrayal by the other soldiers, and his sword is given to Boone. Boone is reunited with his family, and the native chief declares peace between their groups, promising to assist the colonists in returning safely to Boonesborough. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: September 16, 1965 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:49:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:02464
- GENRE: Drama, action/adventure
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, action/adventure; Indigenous Peoples Collection
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1964-1970
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Aaron Rosenberg … Executive Producer
- George Sherman … Producer
- Bernard Wiesen … Associate Producer
- Herman Groves … Writer
- Nathan Juran … Director
- Alexander Courage … Music by
- Lionel Newman … Theme Music by
- Vera Matson … Theme Music by
- Fess Parker … Cast, Daniel Boone
- Ed Ames … Cast, Mingo
- Patricia Blair … Cast, Rebecca Boone
- Edward Mulhare … Cast, Colonel Worthing
- Veronica Cartwright … Cast, Jemima Boone
- Darby Hinton … Cast, Israel Boone
- Dallas McKennon … Cast, Cincinnatus
- George Backman … Cast, Lieut. Morris
- Abel Fernandez … Cast, White Feather
- Tom Browne Henry … Cast, Antawah
- Orville Sherman … Cast, Tupper