Fort Massacre

Joel McCrea stars as tough US Cavalry Sergeant Vinson, who has to take command of "C Troop" when the senior officers are killed during an Apache attack. But what drives Vinson on? And is he the right man to lead the remaining members of the Troop? Directed by Joseph Newman, the films photography comes from Carl Guthrie, screenplay is courtesy of Martin Goldsmith, it's filmed in CinemaScope with De Luxe colour and the co- star list contains Forrest Tucker, John Russell, George N. Neise & Susan Cabot.

A moody and tough psychological Western that showcases the truly good side of the "B" Western splinter. Thematically strong with its anti-racist core, and really tightly written by Goldsmith, it's also notable for containing a wonderful performance from McCrea. Though his Western output was very hit and miss (the brilliant Peckinpah film "Ride The High Country" was to come 4 years later) McCrea was always value for money in even the tardiest of Oaters. Here he gets to really grizzle for all his worth, his Vinson is a bitter man, blinded by hate, yet still capable of softening up if engaged in the right conversation. McCrea is first rate in the role, never over doing the hard-nosed side of the character and garnering believable sympathy when his guard is down.

More known for being the director of "This Island Earth", Joseph Newman is hardly the name one links to the direction of a psychological Western. Yet he does a surprisingly good job with the action sequences and rightly lets his actors just tell the story. There's a small complaint that the final battle is all too brief, but that's a touch offset by a hillside C Troop/Apache battle that takes place in the first third of the film. Briskly constructed and with no saggy male posturing to weigh it down, the battle shows Newman to be quite adept at crafting a good old fashioned fight to the death between two very old fashioned foes. The film also looks terrific. Though sadly not having a widespread DVD release and therefore not getting a remastered work over, the current print of the film available to television networks and Region 1 DVD is still a treat in this High Definition age. Where once the print was apparently murky, you now should be able to adjust and reap the benefit of what is on offer. Filmed at three locations, Gallup/New Mexico, Red Rock State Park/New Mexico & Kanab/Utah, Carl Guthrie's photography really utilises these locations, one moment it be a beautiful sprawling landscape, the next the rocks are enveloping the characters to portray the tension and confinement of their emotional and physical journey. All given the De Luxe sheen as the browns, reds and uniform blues come vividly to life.

Fort Massacre is little known and certainly under seen, thus its reputation has been founded by the casual Western viewer entering into it unaware of what type of character driven film it is. It's hoped that it can now find a newer and more appreciative audience because it's one of the better "B" Westerns of the late 1950s. 8/10

Unlike John Ford's celebrated cavalry Westerns, there's no humor or sentimentality in this film. It shows the grim situations and less than stellar personnel that cavalry commanders often faced. The interplay between Sergeant Vinson, Private McGurney, and Scout Pawnee is interesting and incisive. McGurney shows how a miscreant within a unit can be as great a menace as the enemy. The cinematography is excellent, particularly during riding and water hole sequences. Worth looking at, especially for Western fans interested in the cavalry.

Thoughtful and powerful Western drama well played , splendidly photographed and compellingly directed . The West's most savage story titled ¨Fort Massacre¨ is set during the Indian Wars in the Southwest , with a military detachment whose mission results to be escort a civil column . There , a sergeant called Vinson (Joel McCrea) assumes command of a cavalry team after it is mauled in an Apache ambush that murdered its captain and seriously wounded its lieutenant . Vinson is a revenger cavalry sergeant to roust renegade troopers and a tribe of Apaches and subsequently the cavalry troop finds itself under constant attack by Indians . Then , the surviving troopers , including various Privates (Forrest Tucker , John Russell , Denver Pyle) along with an Indian scout , Pawne , (Anthony Caruso) must reach either a wagon train , or a larger cavalry column . Vinson puts the bridle on tight and struggles to win his soldiers respect while warding off violent Indians . But first they need water and the nearest water hole is in Apache hands . Vinson along with a group of soldiers have to defend a left place surrounded by Indians until arrival reinforcement . The more desperate his fight on the desert's scorching sands , the more adored he was in her arms ¡ .

Pretty good Western starring an excellent Joel McCrea as revenger who gains his identity killing Indians . This is an exciting flick about hate , pride and cunning . Spectacular and breathtaking scenes when there happen the Indian attacks . It is an exciting Western/drama that holds you interest from start to finish and right through to the intriguing tale , as well as a stirring climax . The flick displays a deep denounce about senseless acts of racism and Indian murders . Moving and thought-provoking screenplay by Martin Goldsmith with great sense of realism , complexity and attention to detail . Director takes a fine penned screenplay creating a cavalry-Indians tale that is far from ordinary , exploring the anguish of soldiers and including jarring burst of violence , however it packs a predictable ending . It's the habitual theme about an unit stranded by enemies and their grueling efforts to break the siege, issue imitated many other times . The plot is quite grim by United Artists Western standards , though it results to be entertaining . In film premiere failed at box office and it was panned by critics and lukewarm reception by public ; however , nowadays reviewers carried a detailed reappraisal of the movie . The cast is frankly well . Joel McCrea is solid , if a bit stolid . The support cast is fine , as John Russell , Anthony Caruso , Denver Pyle , Francis McDonald , Susan Cabot as beautiful Piute Indian girl and final film of Irving Bacon . Colorful cinematography by Carl E. Guthrie that features some clever matte paintings and lush three-strip Technicolor , De Luxe photography , being shot in National Parks such as Gallup, New Mexico , Red Rock State Park, Church Rock, New Mexico, Kanab , Utah . Thrilling as well as evocative Original Music by Marlín Skiles .

Directed and in nice style by Joseph M. Newman who previously directed other good Western titled ¨Pony Soldier¨ . Joseph received two Oscar nominations as assistant director . Many of his films , almost all second features and shot on modest budgets , use character actors rather than stars for the lead roles . They have a gritty , semi-documentary look , particularly his two best offerings : the film noir ¨The human jungle¨ (1954) and the outdoor drama ¨Red sky of Montana¨ (1952) . Many also share an overriding preoccupation with technology , as in "711 Ocean Drive", in which an electronically-minded telephone repairman played by Edmond O'Brien becomes entangled with a shady bookmaking syndicate and in Newman's most famous film, the cult sci-fi Island Earth (1955) , though re-shot by director Jack Arnold . Newman's work was competent, if routine : some westerns as ¨The sheriff of Dodge City¨, ¨The Outcasts of Poker Flat¨ ,¨Fort Comanche¨ , Ädventure : ¨Tarzan, the Ape Man¨ (1959) and a few crime pictures as ¨Death in Small Doses¨ , ¨Flight to Hong Kong¨, ¨King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein¨ , (1961) and ¨The lawbreakers¨ (1961) . ¨Fort Massacre¨ is an authentic must see , not to be missed for buffs of the genre . An enjoyable movie because of its awesome acting , dialog , score are world class.

It has been years since I have seen this movie and I have been looking for it for a long time. I still remember moments in the movie as if I just saw it yesterday because of its gripping mature story line and deep rich character portrayals. I still get goosebumps when I think about it. The plot development was powerful with what I found to be a shocking conclusion. I find classic story telling with intense character portrayals to be much more interesting than some of the movie gimmicks used by most of the industry today. This movie is not shy on realism or story. I guess that some of that which makes up the high quality depth of this motion picture story simply goes over the head of some people, (based on some of the other reviews I have read about this film). I believe this is an absolute must see for McCrea or Russell fans.

A good Western with McCrea as an army sergeant with a severe chip on his shoulder -- his family was killed by American Indians. When the detachment he serves in is attacked, all his superiors are killed and he has to take command of the survivors -- who believe his bigotry will lead them into confrontations which are unnecessary.

McCrea is very good at playing the sergeant as a kind of ruined idealist, beating Wayne at his own game. He has a good rapport with Russell, who plays a man more or less in between the two factions -- he's attached to his sergeant, but can see that his hatred may lead them into danger. Cabot also appears as a native woman, but is not given much to do except be the unwarranted object of McCrea's hatred and suspicions.

A satisfying action film with a strong anti-racist message.