source: Dragoon Wells Massacre

Dragoon Wells Massacre

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.

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.

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.