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ActionWestern

Fort Defiance

- 'Kill or Die' Was the Indian Cry!

It's just after the Civil War and Ben Shelby arrives looking for Johnny Tallon whom he plans to kill. Shelby was the only survivor of a battle due to the cowardice of Tallon. Thinking Tallon dead, another man who lost a brother at the same battle arrives to kill Tallon's blind brother. Tallon arrives to find Shelby and his brother fleeing. Then they are attacked by Indians and Shelby and Tallon must now fight together postponing the inevitable showdown.

Release Date : 1951-10-09

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : United ArtistsVentura Pictures Corporation

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Dane Clark

Character Name : Johnny Tallon

Original Name : Dane Clark

Gender : Male

Ben Johnson

Character Name : Ben Shelby

Original Name : Ben Johnson

Gender : Male

Peter Graves

Character Name : Ned Tallon

Original Name : Peter Graves

Gender : Male

Tracey Roberts

Character Name : Julie

Original Name : Tracey Roberts

Gender : Female

George Cleveland

Character Name : Uncle Charlie Tallon

Original Name : George Cleveland

Gender : Male

Ralph Sanford

Character Name : Jed Brown, Stagecoach Driver

Original Name : Ralph Sanford

Gender : Male

Iron Eyes Cody

Character Name : Brave Bear (as Iron Eyes)

Original Name : Iron Eyes Cody

Gender : Male

Dennis Moore

Character Name : Lt. Lucas

Original Name : Dennis Moore

Gender : Male

Craig Woods

Character Name : Dave Parker

Original Name : Craig Woods

Gender : Male

Dick Elliott

Character Name : Kincaid

Original Name : Dick Elliott

Gender : Male

Bryan 'Slim' Hightower

Character Name : Hankey (as Bryan Hightower)

Original Name : Bryan 'Slim' Hightower

Gender : Male

Phil Rawlins

Character Name : Les (as David Rawlins)

Original Name : Phil Rawlins

Gender : Male

Jerry Ambler

Character Name : Cheyenne

Original Name : Jerry Ambler

Gender : Male

Kit Guard

Character Name : Tracy, Barfly

Original Name : Kit Guard

Gender : Male

Wes Hudman

Character Name : Stranger (as Wesley Hudman)

Original Name : Wes Hudman

Gender : Male

Hugh Hooker

Character Name : Ed

Original Name : Hugh Hooker

Gender : Male

Lee Phelps

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Lee Phelps

Gender : Male

Duke York

Character Name : Joe Doniger

Original Name : Duke York

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Oh Brother! Fort Defiance is directed by John Rawlins and written by Louis Lantz. It stars Dane Clark, Ben Johnson, Peter Graves and Tracey Roberts. Music is by Paul Sawtell and cinematography by Stanley Cortez. Plot has Clark as sharp shooting Johnny Tallon, a feared man he may be, but after a dreadful incident in the Civil War he is a wanted man. Upon returning to the family ranch where his blind brother Ned (Graves) resides, he finds one of his pursuers, Ben Shelby (Johnson), has befriended Ned and become more of a brother to Ned than Johnny ever was. With the Indians on the warpath and saloon impresario Dave Parker (Craig Woods) out to kill of the Tallon family, something's got to give... There's a degree of complexity on show with the writing here, where the family strife and fall out from the Civil War makes for an always interesting viewing. Also refreshing to find that Graves' blind character is not a heart string tugging token, it's a meaty portrayal by Graves, the character not trying to garner sympathy. There's a richness to the key characterisations in general, ensuring that at least when the story treads familiar Westerns pathways (Indian attacks shoehorned in - Roberts' token saloon gal love interest) all outcomes are anticipated with interest. The location landscapes are gorgeous, which renders the use of Cinecolor as being annoying. The pronounced reds and blues detracting from the natural beauty of the surroundings, though thankfully the print shown on TCM-HD is of a decent quality. The action sequences are only competently staged, but there's enough gun shots and stunt working bodily thunder to perk up the pic, while acting across the board is on the good side of good. Strong plotting and super scenery help to keep this one above average and worth seeking out by Westerns lovers. 6.5/10