O Festim da Morte

With Lesley Selander as director, I knew in advance that I would not lose my time, especially for a western made during the late fifties. Because during the early forties, and even later, Selander provided lousy and chain made movies, not that interesting, believe me. For this one, a very short one, you have the feeling to watch a longer length film, really. It is even strange that such a 1957 western from Lesley Selander is so short. I was really happy to have wached this western starring Chuck Connors. Not a masterpiece though, only a rare and worth the watch gem from Bel Air production, not the worst in Hollywood.

A couple of guys who later became stars in small screen westerns, Chuck Connors and John Smith star in Tomahawk Trail about a sergeant who takes over from an inexperienced lieutenant and gets the patrol they were on back to the fort on foot.

Where they find the place massacred and the Mescelero Apaches ready to come back finish them off. The only hold card they have is that they managed to capture Lisa Martell who is Chief Vittorio's daughter along with a white female companion Susan Cummings. At least one of the cavalry soldiers has his mind distracted by the women just another headache that Connors has as he awaits a court martial even if they're rescued.

Humphrey Bogart in The Caine Mutiny was positively docile as Captain Queeg next to George Neise playing the lieutenant who is truly a hateful person. In fact he should have toned it down a notch, his performance was a bit too jarring. Harry Dean Stanton playing Neise's orderly makes one of his early appearances in a film. He also has to see that his lieutenant is going off the deep end, but he remains doggedly loyal.

Tomahawk Trail is decent enough for western fans, but below average altogether.

Tomahawk Trail is a movie that is most enjoyed by those either younger than eight years old (where the children can play cowboys and Indians) or those who are 50 and older. I know that Chuck Connors has been in many types of films, yet I remember him mostly in westerns like this movie. The movie moves along at a fairly good clip. The best thing about this movie is that it is only an hour long. The movie can't afford to have any down time. This is a cowboy and Indian movie. Tomahawk Trail is either best enjoyed on as a Saturday afternoon matinée or as a late at night movie. The actors do okay in their roles. However, once the movie has played, it is easily forgotten except for Chuck Connors. Bring your popcorn and your Western boots to this one, Partner.

A cavalry Sergeant pulls a "Caine Mutiny" and relieves an incompetant officer of command of a patrol in Apache territory. This otherwise routine oater is of interest mainly because it was an early vehicle for Conners. Look for a very young Harry Dean Stanton as the Lieutenant's Orderly.

This is a hackneyed western with few faults. I found it more interesting than I expected. Chuck Connors plays a young Cavalry Sargent that must take over a unit led by an injured and temporarily demented Lieutenant. This action takes place in Apache territory...the boys in blue hope to find safety in a fort that has already been ravaged. Short, but action packed. Also in the cast are:John Smith, Robert Knapp, Susan Cummings and a young Harry Dean Stanton. Kind of feels like sitting in the Kiddie Matinee on Saturday morning.