Revolt at Fort Laramie

Revolt at Fort Laramie
Theatrical film poster
Directed by	Lesley Selander
Produced by	Howard W. Koch Aubrey Schenck
Written by	Robert C. Dennis
Starring	John Dehner Gregg Palmer
Music by	Les Baxter
Cinematography	William Margulies
Edited by	John F. Schreyer
Production company	Bel-Air Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	March 1957
Running time	73 minutes
Language	English

Revolt at Fort Laramie (working title Fort Laramie) is a 1957 Western directed by Lesley Selander and proudced by Howard W. Koch and Aubrey Schenck for their Bel-Air Productions that produced second features for United Artists. The film was shot in Kanab, Utah with Harry Dean Stanton making his debut in the film.

In 1861 the undermanned garrsion of Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory are attempting to keep the peace with the Sioux Nation led by Chief Red Cloud. The United States Government pays Red Cloud in gold to keep the peace and support his people, but Red Cloud has the idea to steal the gold and use the non payment as an excuse to go to war.

Meanwhile, as the United States face events that lead to the American Civil War, the garrison of the fort is split down the middle in their sympathies, half the men led by Sgt Darrach support the Confederate States of America whilst the other half led by Sgt Serrell support the Federal Union. When the garrison hears about the Battle of Fort Sumter, the Confederate faction not only wants to leave the army, but capture the fort and take the gold shipment due to be paid to Chief Red Cloud to Texas.

One of the Southerners warns Captain Tenslip and Lt Waller on the other Southerner's schemes, but he is murdered for betraying the cause with his screams covered by the men singing Dixie. Tenslip is worried that his commander, Major Bradner is a Virginian and may side with the South. Meanwhile, Red Cloud sees the opportunity to split and wipe out the garrison as well as keeping the gold.

"The bitterest chocie of all; to break your oath or your heart" - Major Seth Bradner