Fort Defiance

1951

1h 22m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

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Action

Western

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.

Directors

John Rawlins

Writers

Louis Lantz(writer by)

Stars

Dane Clark

Ben Johnson

Peter Graves

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Photos4

Top cast

Johnny Tallon

Ben Shelby

Ned Tallon

Julie

Uncle Charlie Tallon

Jed Brown, Stagecoach Driver

Iron Eyes Cody

Brave Bear (as Iron Eyes)

Dennis Moore

Lt. Lucas

Craig Woods

Dave Parker

Dick Elliott

Kincaid

Bryan 'Slim' Hightower

Hankey (as Bryan Hightower)

Phil Rawlins

Les (as David Rawlins)

Jerry Ambler

Cheyenne

Kit Guard

Tracy, Barfly

Wes Hudman

Stranger (as Wesley Hudman)

Hugh Hooker

Lee Phelps

Bartender

Duke York

Joe Doniger

Directors

John Rawlins

Writers

Louis Lantz(writer by)

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User reviews1

Review

Featured review

6/10

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

John Chard04 Nov, 2018