- Directed by Joseph M. Newman
- May 1, 1958
A possibly crazed cavalry commander leads his forces through dangerous Indian territory.
I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for this Cavalry Western. My initial viewing of Fort Massacre was not even close to a complete version of the film but something about this B-movie struck me. I liked what I saw and when I was able to purchase it physically I did so happily with it remaining one of my more favorite purchases over the years because it delivered on all the promise that I saw.
This is not a Cavalry Westerns with humor or sentimentality. There is no mythmaking presented. Situations can be grim and the personnel in the cavalry are less than idealized. Bigotry shows its head in small ways and the characters can even show respect and comradery in efforts that on the surface look like disrespect.
This film uses narration to present certain aspects and whenever done in film that’s a very tricky thing to do well. Here it is used to get over limitations of the budget and only as needed. Events start in the aftermath of an Apache attack. They’ve taken some casualties and it is clear they are quite dispirited. Discipline has broken down with the group currently being led by Sgt. Vinson (Joel McCrea) whom they don’t quite have faith in as the film opens.
Relationships and bonds are communicated effectively. These men are connecting through conflict and have become close in a way they can’t quite explain to themselves. We have a cavalry man filled with hatred and rage because of the death of his family and subordinates who know it. Things are not just dumped on the audience but are hinted at and later revealed.
The opposition that is faced is not pursuing Apache but the barely controlled rage of Vinson that Pvt. Robert W. Travis (John Russell) provides a contrast against. Even if he does not quite understand it at first, Vinson is all about violence and vengeance for his family. Travis is not so much a man of war being a more thoughtful individual. Amongst the action the two views get hashed out and invest you in the film.
Vinson is a broken idealist. He is a widower that once believed in what he was doing but now believes in nothing until seeing a chance to strike back at those he blames even if it costs the lives of his men. Not that he is initially conscious of the decision but when he sees what he is doing he really does not care. Travis on the other hand is a contemplative character. Maybe he was even meant to be a bit of a hippie equivalent. He clearly was searching for his own way and going with the flow and by the end, he’s perhaps even a little bit changed.
The ‘Fort Massacre’ of the title is an abandoned cliff dwelling where they find an old Piute man (Francis McDonald) who is just kind of, well, icky. He tries to trade ‘favors’ from his granddaughter (Susan Cabot) in one way or another for this and that. Everything from whiskey to ointments. It’s all treated almost in the script humorously. The guy is trying to pimp out his grandchild and they all brush it aside with a chuckle or smile!
A mistake I noticed in this viewing was when Vinson is fighting a scout as the remaining regiment trying to take a watering hole. They are wrestling in the ground and the actor playing the Apache scout has on tighty whities underneath his loincloth. Very bright ones by the way. I understand he needed something because even today show the twig and berries is a no-no but give the guy pants rather than a loin cloth or perhaps make the undies tan.
This is a taut ‘lost patrol’ movie that tells its story efficiently. The action is thrilling and never contrived. Some may find the Native American portrayals as problematic since they are usually never more than attackers, but they are not the threat. The threat is Vinson. Their purpose in the story is to expose his true self. Even the Indian Scout/Pawnee (Anthony Caruso) is there for that purpose though I do feel he needed a name and his death was too abrupt. The minor character Moving Cloud (Larry Chance) got a name!
If there is a message to be found in this it is one of anti-racism. Vinson’s hatred for all Native Americans creates every issue while Travis’s treatment of people as people solves or simply mitigates problems. The ultimate moral is that you should pity bigots.
I found Fort Massacre as good this time around as I did before. Maybe even more so. It’s exciting and dramatic and has distinct characters in a danger filled setting. Worthwhile viewing for any fan of classic Westerns.
Warren Watched A Movie 