The last of the 2nd squadron
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The last of the 2nd squadron |
| Original title | Fort Massacre |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1958 |
| length | 79 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Joseph M. Newman |
| script | Martin Goldsmith |
| production | Walter Mirisch |
| music | Marlin Skiles |
| camera | Carl E. Guthrie |
| cut | Richard V. Heermance |
| occupation | |
| |
The Last of the 2nd Squadron is a 1958 American western directed by Joseph M. Newman . The leading roles are starring Joel McCrea , John Russell and Forrest Tucker .
action
A cavalry division of the US Army is nearly wiped out by an attack by the Apaches . Since the commander of the force is also killed, Sergeant Vinson takes command of the handful of survivors. Vinson decides to make his way to Fort Crane, several hundred miles away, to reach the main column. The soldier Travis and the Indian scout Pawnee are sent to investigate. They return and report that the enemy Apaches are camped at a water hole and that there is no trace of the column to be seen. Since there is no other way, Vinson orders the attack on the Apaches. In fact, the outnumbered soldiers succeed in driving the Indians to flight after a fierce battle. When Vinson kills a surrendering Indian, he loses the respect of his people.
The group meets the soldiers Tucker and Moss, the only ones who have survived an Indian attack on the main column. Nevertheless, Vinson wants to move on to the fort. In a conversation, Travis learns that Vinson lost his wife and two children in an Apache attack five years ago and has had a great hatred of the Apaches ever since. In an area that is forbidden to the army, Vinson and his people meet an old couple. Charlie and Adele are a merchant couple who do business with the young Apache warrior Moving Cloud. Vinson takes the Apache prisoner to ensure safe conduct. The Scout Pawnee is supposed to guard the warrior, but is killed by him in a fight with knives. Moving Cloud can escape.
Vinson believes his people will bring him to justice, but Travis assures him of his loyalty. The soldiers reach a pueblo in which an old Paiute lives with his granddaughter. The old warrior recognizes from noises that several riders are approaching. Vinson fears an Apache reconnaissance party and decides to stay in the pueblo. The Paiute are also enemies of the Apaches, but Vinson does not allow them to move away.
A small group of Apache warriors reaches the pueblo. You will be greeted by the Paiute while the soldiers remain hidden. When the Apaches capture the granddaughter, Vinson opens fire on the Apaches. Only old Paiute, Vinson, Travis and the soldier Collins survive the subsequent fight. Vinson wants to send the old Indian to Fort Crane to get help from there. The Paiute accuses Vinson of attacking the Apaches when they were about to leave. He intends to tell the truth about Vinson at the fort. Vinson draws his gun to kill the Indian, but is shot by Travis. Travis explains to Collins that he knows Vinson as a man of honor who has lost the battle to control his hatred.
Reviews
The lexicon of international films described the film as a "brutally realistic, psychologizing Western in a bizarre landscape."
Cinema magazine found the film a little sluggish. The former comedian (McCrea) convinces as a charismatic villain. The conclusion: "Not perfect, but worth seeing for fans."
background
The premiere of the film took place in the USA on May 14, 1958. It was released in German cinemas on November 28, 1958, and in Austria in January 1959.
The film, the first production of the Mirisch Corporation , was shot near the city of Gallup / New Mexico . 20 local Indians from the Navajo tribe represented the Apaches.
literature
- Gregor Hauser: Muzzle flashes: The 50 best B-Westerns of the 50s and their stars . Verlag Reinhard Marheinecke 2015, ISBN 978-3-932053-85-6 . Pp. 143-146.
Web links
- The last of the 2nd Squadron in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ The last of the 2nd squadron. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .
- ↑ Critique of Cinema
- ↑ Information at TCM