"The McMasters" is set somewhere in the American south just after the Civil War. A former slave Benjie (Brock Peters) returns home in his Union uniform following his participation in the conflict. His home is on a ranch owned by McMasters (Burl Ives) who apparently has freed him from slavery and taken a fatherly interest in him.
Naturally Benjie has problems with the local bigots led by rancher Kolby (Jack Palance) and his cohort Russel (L.Q. Jones). Storekeeper Watson (R.G. Armstrong) and townsman Spencer (Dane Clark) oppose the prejudice.
When McMasters makes Benjie an equal partner in his ranch and gives him his name, you know that Palance & Co. will have something to say. Meanwhile, Benjie befriends a hungry group of Indians led by White Feather (David Carradine). He allows them to take a couple of his cattle for much needed food. In return, White Feather offers Benjie his sister Robin (Nancy Kwan) as a token of their gratitude. Gradually Benjie comes to love Robin and asks the local preacher (John Carradine) to marry them.
When some cattle are stolen by the Indians, Russel and his cronies come to McMasters ranch and rape Robin and rough up old McMasters. When Benjie returns he manages to overpower the intruders, killing two of them, before driving the others away. Kolby marshals up the townsfolk for an attack on McMasters ranch. Benjie decides that he will defend his land to the death.
Director Alf Kjellin gives us an authentic looking set piece. It really has the look and feel of the American Southwest of the 1860s. Although Burl Ives was top billed he really only has a supporting role. The marvelous and often under rated Brock Peters is actually the star. He shows grit and determination in his quest to keep his land. It is odd though, that he is the only black man in the cast. Palance is his usual sneering self as the head villain and Jones is suitably slimy as his cohort.
Poor Nancy Kwan as the long suffering Robin has to endure a number of rapes. David Carradine is good as White Feather conveying a feeling of hopelessness for his people. Father John appears briefly as the preacher.
"The McMasters" is a compelling drama of the post civil war period. Often violent and unforgiving, it is one of the few opportunities that Brock Peters has had to play the leading role. That lifts the film up a notch or two and makes for an entertaining hour and a half.
Naturally Benjie has problems with the local bigots led by rancher Kolby (Jack Palance) and his cohort Russel (L.Q. Jones). Storekeeper Watson (R.G. Armstrong) and townsman Spencer (Dane Clark) oppose the prejudice.
When McMasters makes Benjie an equal partner in his ranch and gives him his name, you know that Palance & Co. will have something to say. Meanwhile, Benjie befriends a hungry group of Indians led by White Feather (David Carradine). He allows them to take a couple of his cattle for much needed food. In return, White Feather offers Benjie his sister Robin (Nancy Kwan) as a token of their gratitude. Gradually Benjie comes to love Robin and asks the local preacher (John Carradine) to marry them.
When some cattle are stolen by the Indians, Russel and his cronies come to McMasters ranch and rape Robin and rough up old McMasters. When Benjie returns he manages to overpower the intruders, killing two of them, before driving the others away. Kolby marshals up the townsfolk for an attack on McMasters ranch. Benjie decides that he will defend his land to the death.
Director Alf Kjellin gives us an authentic looking set piece. It really has the look and feel of the American Southwest of the 1860s. Although Burl Ives was top billed he really only has a supporting role. The marvelous and often under rated Brock Peters is actually the star. He shows grit and determination in his quest to keep his land. It is odd though, that he is the only black man in the cast. Palance is his usual sneering self as the head villain and Jones is suitably slimy as his cohort.
Poor Nancy Kwan as the long suffering Robin has to endure a number of rapes. David Carradine is good as White Feather conveying a feeling of hopelessness for his people. Father John appears briefly as the preacher.
"The McMasters" is a compelling drama of the post civil war period. Often violent and unforgiving, it is one of the few opportunities that Brock Peters has had to play the leading role. That lifts the film up a notch or two and makes for an entertaining hour and a half.