Fort Yuma

This is a so simple but terrific and efficient for the budget, as exciting as any Gordon Douglas or early John Sturges' westerns, and one of Lesley Selander's best. This prolific western provider made so many grade Z stuff that he can only shine here. The director gave us FORT OSAGE, FORT UTAH, FORT COURAGEOUS, REVOLT AT FORT LARAMIE, FORT ALGIERS. So, you have understood that Lesley Selander was the director of forts plots, also with Gordon Douglas - FORT DOBBS, ONLY THE VALIANT, CHUKA.... I am sure that too many movie buffs still despise Lesley Selander for his cheap work, but never forget that he also gave impressive little westerns too, like this one.

More Time is Spent on the inter-Racial Love Interests, which was Atypical in Most 50's Westerns.

Few Films had such a Voluptuous Female Native-American at the Center of the Plot and even Fewer Dared to Portray Her in as Many Provocative Shots.

The Contrast Between Her and Blonde-Blue-Eyed Peter Graves is Stunning.

Graves is a Notorious Indian-Hater and Hides His Infatuation with the Woman (Joan Taylor).

But the Plot may have Another Side of His Hypocritical Bigotry to Explore.

If that Wasn't Enough, there is a Second Love-Fest Occurring as Joan Vohs, a White Woman on the Wagon Train, Falls for the Indian Scout.

On Top of the Daring Romance, the Film is Filled with Violent Attacks, with the Body-Count Stratospheric.

Sexy, Brutal, and Philosophical Western that Picked-Up on the Early 50's Trend of a New Approach to Native-American-Anglo Interaction.

Softening the Natives as Almost Human.

A Costume Twist Adds Another Off-Beat Scene.

Above Average for its Type and is Certainly...

Worth a Watch.

This was an interesting Western with a different take on as it explored relations between whites and Apaches. The color was good and added to the film as the landscape would be lost in a B&W film. Toward the end, Peter Graves is injured, with blood on his chest near his left shoulder. When he gets in a hand-to-hand fight to the death with an uninjured Apache, he throws punches with both arms. When they fight to the ground, with Graves under the Apache, who is pushing down on him, Graves holds him off using both arms equally well. When he turns the tables and get the tomahawk from the Apache, he uses his left hand to swing it and deliver the death blow. Anyone who's been severely injured in one arm cannot use it as well as the uninjured arm, and would not unconsciously wield a weapon with his injured arm. This is a major gaffe for a professional film. That fight scene never should have happened in the first place, since there's no way Graves could win a hand-to-hand fight with one arm against a healthy Apache wielding a tomahawk. This film was a good effort, but it lacked oomph.

This movie begins with Chief Mangas Coloradas and 3 other leaders of the Mimbreno tribe of the Apaches riding into Fort Yuma to negotiate a peace treaty. Unfortunately, a settler goes insane and kills Chief Mangas Coloradas which sets off hostilities between the United States and the Apaches once more. Not long afterward a messenger from the fort is intercepted by the Apaches and they learn that a supply column is headed to Fort Yuma from Fort Apache. This particular wagon train is headed by a cold and cruel officer by the name of "Lt. Ben Keegan" (Peter Graves) who hates Apaches with a passion. Ironically, he is somewhat attached to an Apache woman named "Francesca" (Joan Taylor) who is madly in love with him. Along with Francesca two other people also decide to ride with the supply column. One is a missionary by the name of "Melanie Crown" (Joan Vohs) and the other is the brother of Francesca named "Sgt. Jonas" (John Hudson) who despises Lt. Keegan. None of them know that the Apaches are waiting for an opportunity to ambush them. Anyway, rather than detail the rest of the story and possibly spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was an okay western movie. Not good-but not bad either. The fact that it's in color certainly enhances the film but it's still only a grade-B movie for the most part and I have rated it as such. Average.

A disgruntled settler kills an Apache chief at Fort Yuma, and the fort's commander knows that the chief's son, Manga Colorado, will seek revenge and go on the warpath.

Standard cavalry western with a smattering of character study featuring inter- racial relationships and hatred on both sides. Talky yet an interesting western with vivid colours, the usual great vistas and stalking Apaches. Some good action in the end, but mainly there's talking. Peter Graves does well as the cold lieutenant and the rest of the cast back him up competently. It's not the best western, but it has some moments of interest.