Fort Defiance

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.

Fort Defiance is an enjoyable western, due to the good performances, direction, cinematography and a tense, yet quiet atmosphere, and exciting blazing action as Shelby and the Tallons square off against vengeful white men and their Native American neighbors. Loved Dane Clark's witty comeback and his fast guns. Ben Johnson is excellent as always, but I reckon Peter Graves steals the scene as a blind man. The first half is slightly plodding, but picks up when the villainous Ned Parker and his gunnies turn up. It's then uphill all the way.