The Symbol of the Unconquered (The Wilderness Trail)
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The Symbol of the Unconquered (aka The Wilderness Trail) is a silent interracial drama produced, written. and directed by pioneering filmmaker Oscar Micheaux.

Micheaux’s fourth feature-length film, along with Within Our Gates, is among his early surviving works.  (MoMA has a print of the film).

Eve Mason, a “white-skinned” African American, inherits a large land after the death of her grandfather Dick Mason, an old prospector. She leaves her hometown of Selma for the Northwest to settle in Oristown.

The Symbol of the Unconquered

Criminals August Barr and Tugi tell Barr’s brother-in-law, Peter Kaden, that they need important documents, and force him to retrieve them. However, Eve spots Kaden, who runs away before being discovered by Van Allen.

Driscoll, who has quit the hotel business, sells stolen horses to Van Allen. Van Allen is then approached by the horses’ owner and learns of Driscoll’s corrupt nature. Van Allen fights with Driscoll, and the latter vows revenge.

At the post office, Driscoll picks up a letter meant for Van Allen, which suggests that Van Allen’s land has incredible value. He reveals the information to Barr and Tugi, who enlist the help of Bill Stanton, a Ku Klux Klan member.

Their attack fails due to help from members of the community, and Van Allen finally learns that his land is valuable for its abundant oil fields.

Two years later, Van Allen has become an oil king running his own company. Eve drops by to deliver a letter from The Committee for the Defense of the Colored Race that reveals her black parentage. The film ends with the two declaring love for each other.

The Symbol of the Unconquered, made at Fort Lee, New Jersey, was released by Micheaux on November 29, 1920.

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