Fort Massacre

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.

If you've stuck through at least a season of just about any western television serial, you'll be familiar with FORT MASSACRE's plot, involving a troop crossing Apache territory. As a fan of RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY, I expected Joel McCrea would be the sole reason for reinvesting myself in this film's well-trodden set-up. While McCrea's performance is certainly a draw (especially given his character's hard edge, usually reserved for a supporting or villainous character) the real standout here was John Russell as Private Travis. I've never encountered a character like his--in this or any other film genre--solely driven by his indecision. You might expect that this is because such an arc wouldn't make for a compelling lead, but damn if FORT MASSACRE doesn't become his film by the end. Thanks to some interesting and revealing exchanges between McCrea and Russell, as well as superb cinematography by Carl Guthrie (BACKFIRE, THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL), this obscure "B" western deserves more recognition than it currently receives.

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.

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.

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.