Bruce Humberstone directed mainly B pictures - competently, by and large, but nothing too memorable. FURY AT FURNACE CREEK is an odd name to give a Western, but there is high quality written all over it. The direction is assured and even inspired, resting on strong dialogue, convincing characters, unexpected twists, superior cinematography - the horse rides and chases against desert background might just rate the finest I have ever watched - and far better than average acting.
Victor Mature posts one of his best performances, in line with MY DARLING CLEMENTINE, KISS OF DEATH, ESCORT WEST, his roles as Demetrius in three different films, and - to me the jewel in the crown - his self-deprecating performance in Vittorio de Sica's AFTER THE FOX, as a has-been actor. In FURY, Mature dominates the screen. His scenes with lovely Coleen Gray convey a chemistry that contrasts with the film noir-like tones of this Western, where murder is being planned against Captain Walsh, remarkably played by Reginald Gardiner, as a decent man who is sinking into alcohol because of his betrayal of his commanding officer, General Blackwell, who reportedly issued an order that caused the massacre at Fort Furnace Creek.
Albert Dekker as top villain Leverett; Charles Stevens as murderous hispanic gunhand José Artego; and Charles Kemper as Peaceful Jones, the comic relief carrying a large tree trunk, are unforgettable.
Glenn Langan plays the other Blackwell brother. I would have liked to see a more developed part there. Langan does well enough with what he is given, but his sudden exit down a stream strikes me as unsatisfying in an otherwise top grade Western. The other star is lost to a disappointing soundtrack reminiscent of STAGECOACH (1939).
Despite those drawbacks, I would include FURNACE among the 20 best Westerns ever made. Real must-see.
