Dragoon Wells Massacre (1957) User Reviews

Tense and well acted Western

[lorenellroy · 7/10 · 6 December 2007]

The most striking thing about this movie is just how splendid it looks ,thanks to the wonderful Technicolor photography by William Clothier .His credits also include Cheyenne Autumn and The Alamo(John Wayne version).He makes superb use of the rugged outdoors locations and does not neglect close-ups which also look very fine indeed .

The plot is pretty standard fare in the Western -a trek by wagon train across hostile Indian country .The train is being escorted by Captain Riordan (Dennis O'Keefe).Among its passengers is a US Marshall (Trevor Bardette) ,his prisoner ,a killer (Barry Sullivan) a lady of the night (Katy Jurado)a "nice girl"(Mona Freeman)and sundry others.They are forced to put aside their differences in the face of repeated attacks by hostiles and form a bond wrought by adversity .

The script gives each of the figures on the train a turn in the spotlight and the cast responds well with a string of strong performances well in evidence .Especially noteworthy is Jack Elam in a rare sympathetic role. Veteran action director Harold Schuster keeps things moving and the overall result is a strong ,well made Western that will please most genre lovers

We all have a little savage in us.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 9 February 2010]

Marshal Bill Haney, his assistant Tom and driver Jud are transporting prisoners Link Ferris and Tioga through Apache Indian territory and hopefully on to Fort Smith, Arkansas. On an adjacent trail, shifty Indian trader Jonah McAdam happens upon a cavalry troop that has been massacred by the Yellow Claw lead Apaches, the only survivor of the attack is Capt. Riordan, who orders McAdam to take him to Fort Dragoon Wells. Before they set off they are met by the prison wagon and not too long after that a stagecoach carrying Ann Bradley, Phillip Scott and Mexican entertainer Mara Fay also arrives on the scene. All of them now under serious threat of attacks by the Apaches. So Riordan orders the two prisoners to be unshackled so they can aid the defence of the group as they attempt to make it to Fort Dragoon Wells. But the Apache are not the only problem facing them, not all in the group are quite what they seem and with food and water at a premium, the odds are heavily stacked against them making it to safety.

As it was directed by journeyman Harold D. Schuster and coming out of B-studio Allied Artists, the omens weren't that great for Dragoon Wells Massacre being anything other than a poor B Western picture. That it breaks free from budgetary restrains and becomes a fine genre entry is largely down to three key points. First is the screenplay by Warren Douglas, secondly is a few fine acting performances and thirdly is having William Clothier on cinematography duties.

Though very similar in plotting to a number of other Westerns, this boasts a great script that gives weighty substance to the characters, and with Schuster effectively not letting the pace sag, the pic is both entertaining and intriguing. It would have been easy for this to turn out as a bunch of stereotypical caricatures meandering across the plains, but thanks to Douglas these become real people in very real peril. They not only must survive the constant attacks as the Indians try to pick them off at opportune moments, they must also survive each other. Thus with twists and surprising developments popping up during the journey, story doesn't lack for inventiveness.

Casting aside Mona Freeman's awful and grating on the nerves turn as Ann Bradley, the cast deliver some quality characterisations, particularly notable are Barry Sullivan (Ferris), Dennis O'Keefe (Riordan), Jack Elam (Tioga) & Katy Jurado (Mara Fay). While Sebastian Cabot is weasel personified as Jonah McAdam. William Clothier is no strange name to Western fans, his work with John Ford, Howard Hawks & Budd Boetticher ensures he's a name to be excited about on a Western credit list. As usual, he doesn't disappoint. Superbly photographing the rugged terrain (Kanab, Utah) as it imposes on our under duress group, he also does fine work with the close up shots as well. Shot in CinemaScope with De Luxe Color, it's a shame that the print is of average quality.

This is a film that is crying out to be remastered, but its lesser known status lends one to believe that that is unlikely to ever happen. However, it's a testament to Clothier's ability that the piece still manages to look fabulous. There's some bad editing in the mix, and in truth Schuster is no skilled craftsman when it comes to action set pieces. Yet the faults are easily forgiven, for this is all about character emphasis, as nobody on this journey is merely canon fodder, they all are given time and thought to involve the audience. So that coupled with Clothier's work makes this a strong Western that's recommended with confidence to the serious Western fan. 7.5/10

Better than you'd think

[BrianG · 7/10 · 10 April 2000]

Monogram Pictures changed its name to Allied Artists in an effort to change its image from that of a cheap B-studio. For the most part, it didn't really work. Allied Artists' product suffered from the same deficiencies that Monogram's did: shoddy production values, lesser talent--both in front of and behind the cameras--and a lack of originality in its stories. This film, however, does not fall into that mold. While the story--survivors of an Indian attack make their way across the desert to safety--may seem trite, what is done with it isn't. Director Harold D. Schuster, a former editor, is hardly a household name, but he has made several tight little B pictures (1954's "Loophole" is a first-rate film-noir thriller about a bank teller framed for a robbery), and this is one of them. Dennis O'Keefe does a very good job as a cavalry officer who survives an Indian attack, and must lead a disparate group to safety across the desert. They come across a group of traders who aren't exactly what they seem to be, and must band together with them for mutual protection. Jack Elam plays a gunfighter who isn't quite what he seems to be, either. There's a good musical score, Schuster handles the action scenes quite well, and there are some interesting plot twists. Altogether, a well-paced, intriguing little western, highly recommended.

Pretty Good Western

[stevedorsett · 6/10 · 17 November 2001]

As Westerns go, this one is a little different. The plot is nothing new, Captain Matt Riordan has to guide a group of travellers across the plains to Dragoon Wells Camp after they have been attacked by Indians. Not all the members of the party is what they appear to be.

This movie is different in the sense that we appear to have a very standards stereotypical group of traditional Western movie characters. However the script is very different, in a sense trying to break the mould, filling out many of the characters. A lot of them feel very fleshed out giving a richness to the movie that you would not expect. The movie takes chances and personally, I like that, something that has the guts to be different. However, the downside of this means that there are several moments where a couple of the key players are acting extremely out of character. Not enough though, to damage the movie as a whole.

The film does have one major flaw. The Ann Bradley character is simply the most irritating woman ever seen in a film. The audience is meant to care about this character, yet for the first 3/4 of the movie all I wanted was to see an arrow put through her head.

Overall, this is pretty good fare, I would recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in the genre. - 6/10

Routine but acceptable Western with a good main and support cast in spite of its short budget.

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 8 December 2021]

Dragoon Wells Massacre(1957) is an engaging effort about two disparate groups of travelers who must band together to fight off savage Indians . As a cavalry officer, Capt. Matt Riordan (Dennis O'Keefe) , the sole survivor of an Indian assault , along with stagecoach passengers (Mona Freeman , Katy Jurado , Max Showalter) and a wagon load of prisoners (Barry Sullivan) travel through hostile Indian country. The column remains under the command of the officer , along with a wagon owned by traitor gunrunner Jonah (Sebastian Cabot) that contains hidden repeating rifles , Winchester rifles , ammunition , supplies and whiskey for the rebellious Indians . As the expedition heading for an Union Fort and along the way suffering rampaging native American attacks commanded by Yellow Claw (John War Eagle) , Jeronimo's follower .

Standard Western set during the Arizona Indian Wars with the rebel upheaval of brave chief Yellow Claw , when fear and violence spread throughout the land . This one shows a campy , amusing and entertaining glimpse in the Wild West . This sharp, well-paced film packs thrills , noisy action , horse pursuits , crossfire , high body-count , and it is fast-moving and quite entertaining . It's a medium/low budget film with passable actors , technicians , functional production values and pleasing results . There is plenty of action in the movie , guaranteeing some shoot'em up or stunts every few minutes . Bursting with appealing characters, interesting themes as the peculiar relationships among the prisoners and soldiers, romance , sub-plots , and with very decent filmmaking and interpretation . There is an odd implementation of shots in the camera work during some particular scenes as the film approaches its climax , as the battles between the besieged people and Indians . Nice production design creating an adequate scenario with luminous outdoors , plains , montains and rocky landscapes under a glimmer sun and atmospheric sets but in B-series style . Here stands out its top-notch main and support cast with plenty of famous actors such as Barry Sullivan , Dennis O'Keefe , Mona Freeman, Katy Jurado , Sebastian Cabot , Max Showalter , Jack Elam , Trevor Bardette and Hank Worden , John Ford's regular . Schuster's western Dragoon Wells Massacre (1957) , despite its potboiler title, has nice writing, a rousing score by Paul Dunlap and Schuster's tight direction raise this several notches above the product normally churned out by its studio, the usually low-grade Allied Artists. As well colorful cinematography by expert cameraman William H. Clothier , though a perfect remastering being really necessary, due to the film copy is faded.

This well-crafted B western was decently directed by veteran programmer man, Harold D. Schuster . A highly regarded editor, in fact he cut the classic Murnau's Sunrise (1927) , Harold D. Schuster started out in films as an actor. It didn't take him long to abandon that career, and he turned to the production side of the business, working his way up to editor and eventually taking the reins as a director. While much of his directorial output is run-of-the-mill , there are some real gems scattered throughout such as My Friend Flicka (1943) . Although typed as an "outdoors" director, Schuster could turn out tough, gritty little thrillers when he wanted to, such as Loophole (1954), about a bank teller who gets framed for an embezzlement; it ranks right up there with the edgy crime dramas of Don Siegel and Phil Karlson. Schuster made all kinds of genres in films as Wings of the morning , South of Karanga , Breakfast in Hollywood , Security Risk , Loophole , Jack Slade , Girl Trouble , The Postman Didn't Ring , Small Town Deb , On the Sunny Side , A Very Young Lady , Zanzibar , Frame , Bomber's Moon , My Friend Flicka . Schuster eventually turned to series television, and finished out his career there , directing episodes of notorious series such as Twilight zone , Legend of Jesse James, U. S. Marshall , Wire Service, Detective McGraw , Zane Grey , Lassie , Tombstone Territory , among others .

Familiar yet interesting

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 16 January 2022]

A small group of travellers stranded in the Arizona Desert. One of the group is an outlaw (Barry O'Sullivan) who is being taken to trial, and another is a cavalry captain (Dennis O'Keefe) whose troop has been wiped out by the Apaches. Matters are complicated by the presence of two women and an unscrupulous gunrunner.

Dragoon Wells Massacre is a western featuring an assortment of characters left to fend off the Apaches in the rough terrain, however there's some effort to add some refreshing elements such as fleshing out the characters. It's tautly-drawn, has great cinematography and some good action, but it's the characters that makes this film interesting. The acting is great too, particularly Jack Elam, who plays a misunderstood man. Mona Freeman can be an irritating character with her self-centredness, but the other characters such as Barry Sullivan put her in her place.

Less than meets the eye

[drystyx · 6/10 · 8 September 2015]

This is a very formula Western.

The formula is the same one used today. Since about 1950, the formula has been heavily in favor of "outlaws turning hero". This mentality didn't "creep" into the culture. It was slammed into the subconscious and the conscious of every American who watched more than ten Westerns in a life time. That's how brazen the formula was.

So, this is the biggest of clichés, and we get the most stereotypical characters you'll ever find in an old Western.

Still, the scenery and action works wonders to keep it from being dull. There are two women. The plain Jane one is nasty and hateful, and we can see her "reformation" a mile away. The other one is a hot Mexican woman, and her romance with the Army officer is the better and fresher story of the two romances. The romance of the vixen and the outlaw is so cliché filled that it was already a groaner in the sixties, so I expect it wasn't fresh in 1957 either, especially when one sees that this has been the standard since about 1950.

So, this is actually "fluff", and not just "fluff", but definitive "fluff". No dimensions here at all. Nothing fresh, but nice action and scenery.

As a tale of survival, highly recommended. As a film, flawed but beautiful.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 18 April 2020]

I couldn't imagine this group of people stranded on a tropical island. They wouldn't have lasted a month let alone three seasons. Traveling through Apache territory is dangerous enough without your party not getting along. The captain of the voyage is Dennis O'Keefe, and there is a convicted criminal (Barry Sullivan) headed to the gallows. the two women, Mona Freeman and Katy Jurado are as different as night and day. Freeman is tense, rather self-centered but hiding behind the mask of respectability. Fiery Jurado is obviously a woman with a past that has not been so respectful, but she is realistic, obedient to orders that benefit the group and definitely flirtatious with the men. Along with Jack Elam, Sebastian Cabot and a couple of others who pop in and out, these settlers determined to make it to their destination face all sorts of ordeals with threats of Apache attacks looming over them every step they take. There is no denying the racism of the majority of the people in the group, referring to the Apaches as savages and non-humans, and it takes O'Keefe to remind them that there's a little bit of savage in everybody. Certainly, that comes to light as they fight to survive, and it is that aspect of the film that makes this work.

There was only one segment when a group of natives approaches their fort and seems that all friendly. In fact, they are warning them about Apaches in the area. That brief moment does give this a different light to how different native tribes lived and dealt with traveling easterners. The performers are good with Jurado standing out (as she did over Grace Kelly in "High Noon") and Freeman's self-centered character revealing herself to be a completely unlikable woman masking herself through a mirror of honor that is actually nonexistent. She gets her share of takedowns, first a verbal lashing by O'Keefe, and then a hair pulling all out brawl with Jurado.

In the end, they all have to pull together and work to survive, and that becomes the only goal in spite of their differences. Sullivan's character, mistrusted from the start by everyone, is actually very heroic and noble underneath the sins of his past. It's the future Mr. French of "Family Affair" (Cabot) who is revealed to be the bad guy, not really the Apaches who are simply trying to protect their territory. at any rate, there's not really revealed enough about the Apaches motives to make them stand out other than to present the main conflict that moves the settlers quickly across the prairie.

If you like westerns from the 50s you'll like this one.

[hitt_dave · 8/10 · 11 December 2014]

I may as well say at the outset that I am biased toward this movie. I liked westerns as a teenager and I liked westerns movies in color with recognizable actors. As an older fellow I now like mostly black and white movies westerns included. I stumbled on the production company filming this movie while on vacation with my folks in southern Utah desert in the summer of 1956. Iwas able to wander around the location and Stayed to watch about four takes of a two shot involving Okeefe and Cabot. After waiting eight months I saw the movie and a local theater and found the plot to be far more complex than most. This is not a run-of-the-mill 50s, one hero type, Western. I recommend it to anyone who likes some character development and appreciates the product of some of the good talents offered by Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera. I would like to find it on DVD.

fine acting and tight direction make this a good western

[bux · 10/10 · 23 October 1998]

Not as routine as it may sound-a cavalry captain and a wagon load of prisoners join forces on a trek through hostile Indian country. Fine acting from a strong cast, tight direction, and a rousing musical score make this one good fun.

Solid western with plenty of excitement

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 3 July 2012]

In the opening scenes three wagons converge on the site of a massacre; one is a trader intending to sell goods to the Apache, another contains too convicts being sent east for trial and almost certain hanging and the thirst is a stage coach. There is also one survivor of the massacre; Capt. Matt Riordan who was spared because he once saved the life of the attacking Apache chief. He takes command of the group as they head to the fort at Dragoon Wells. It isn't long before they are attacked and lose the stage coach; the survivors continue on though. Needing every gun the marshal releases the prisoners but tells them that they will still stand trial when they get through the Indian Territory. The next night things get worse when they learn that one of their number is not to be trusted... and they only learn this after he has killed one man and tried to escape causing the loss of another vehicle. They continue on towards the nearest relay station where they hoped to alert the authorities; the Apaches have got there first though and the only survivor is a young girl. Forced onwards with little water tempers fray within the group, more die at the hands of their enemy and just when reach an army fort and it looks as if their troubles are over they find it abandoned and its well salted!

This is a decent western where the key characters; the captain, two convicts, the marshal and his deputy, the trader and two women are quickly and effectively introduced before the real action starts. When it does start people that look like they are main characters get killed leading to a sense that anybody could die here... always a good way to raise the tension! The cast did a solid job making their characters convincing; some are likable, some aren't but they are believable. I was surprised that we often saw the horses being targeted, and in one case falling over a cliff; while this seems believable most films of this sort prefer to only show people dying... presumably fearing viewers will be put off otherwise. The film looks great with vivid colour and a spectacular setting; it is just a pity the version shown on television had been cropped to fit old 1.33:1 screens rather than the original 2.35:1. If you enjoy westerns this one is worth watching, if you have a choice watch it in the original aspect ration though.