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      Fort Massacre

      Released May 14, 1958 1h 20m Western List
      Reviews 42% 50+ Ratings Audience Score After his cavalry company is decimated by an Apache attack, Vinson (Joel McCrea) takes charge and tries to lead his remaining men to safety. Unfortunately, his pathological hatred of Native Americans causes him to commit rash acts that put his troops in jeopardy. The enlisted men, especially the rebellious McGurney (Forrest Tucker), question Vinson's leadership and even his morality, but the soldiers must stick together if they wish to make it through Apache lands. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Dec 31 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Another good Joel McCrea western here military against the Indians, recommend it, James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, October 23, 2023 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/25/23 Full Review Audience Member The dead don't bother me. A cavalry on a mission knows they will be attacked by Indians. They have an option to cut through a pass that may be safer, but their leader refuses and drives them to a fort to hold up and fight their way to safety. The captain will face long odds, both from the Native Americans as well as reluctant soldiers. "I realize now that, that is the only way it could have ended." Joseph Newman, director of The Big Circus, Love Nest, Dangerous Crossing, The Island Earth, The Gunfight at Dodge City, and The Lawbreakers, delivers Fort Massacre. The storyline for this picture has intense moments and good character interactions. This is also a western with a gritty feel, almost war genre like atmosphere. The acting is very good and the cast includes Joel McCrea, Forrest Tucker, John Russell, Anthony Caruso, and Denver Pyle. "Who wants to die for a bunch of dirt farmers?" This was recommended to me by Fios so I DVR'd it off Turner Classic Movies (TCM) last summer. This was fun and I did like the way it was shot and the way the scenes were presented. The plot itself was straightforward and unimaginative, but the character interactions were worthwhile. I recommend seeing this once, especially to western genre fans. "The closer they come the harder it is to miss." Grade: C+ Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member When people disparage westerns as being racist towards American Indians, this is the type of film they were talking about. I don't think that's the case with all westerns, though the "taming of the west" is an inherently racist notion, but this film pretty much exclusively presents Native American's as dangerous wild savages. The plot involves a cavalry Sergeant, Joel McCrea, forced to take command of a small group of survivors from an earlier indian attack, trying to get them back to safety at military fort. The somewhat interesting of character drama of the film revolves around the cavalry men not trusting the decisions of McCrea due to his family having been massacred by "savages" and thinking he just wants to lead the troops on a personal mission of revenge. The film also touts some very picturesque CinemaScope photography. However, the racial politics of the film are fairly ugly to modern eyes, which greatly hurts the film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member 131213: Good movie. Tough story. Interesting title considering it never takes place in a fort. If you listen closely, you'll hear the title used at least once in the dialogue. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member descent western from the year I was born Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Really gripping western. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Fort Massacre

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Great acting by Joel McCrea. Rated: B+ Oct 9, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis After his cavalry company is decimated by an Apache attack, Vinson (Joel McCrea) takes charge and tries to lead his remaining men to safety. Unfortunately, his pathological hatred of Native Americans causes him to commit rash acts that put his troops in jeopardy. The enlisted men, especially the rebellious McGurney (Forrest Tucker), question Vinson's leadership and even his morality, but the soldiers must stick together if they wish to make it through Apache lands.
      Director
      Joseph M. Newman
      Screenwriter
      Martin Goldsmith
      Production Co
      Mirisch Corporation
      Genre
      Western
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      May 14, 1958, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Sep 16, 2008
      Runtime
      1h 20m
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