After an cavalry troop is ambushed by Apaches, the highest ranking soldier is
sergeant Joel McCrea. He takes charge, but the other soldiers quickly
begin to question his ability to command since it's widely known that he has an
extreme hatred for Indians ever since his wife and children were murdered by
Indians. Their only hope is to hopefully connect with a larger cavalry
column or make it back to the fort, but either way they desperately need water
and the only watering hole around is controlled by the same Apaches that wiped
out most of their troop.
I really enjoyed FORT MASSACRE and especially liked seeing McCrea in a darker
role. He wasn't evil or anything, but tortured inside and filled with
hate. Supporting cast of familiar faces (including the under appreciated
John Russell one year before he squared off against John Wayne in RIO BRAVO),
quick pace, strong story by Martin M. Goldsmith who also penned the film noir
classic
DETOUR,
the phrase
"milked the donkey", exciting action sequences, good
acting.
FORT MASSACRE is an above average western that I look forward to watching again.
