{"id":79070,"date":"2021-12-23T23:14:34","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T06:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=79070"},"modified":"2021-12-24T10:29:21","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T17:29:21","slug":"last-frontier-the-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=79070","title":{"rendered":"Last Frontier, The (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Civilization is creepin&#8217; up on us, lads.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster-194x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-79071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster-661x1024.png 661w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster-174x270.png 174w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Poster.png 715w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring the final days of the Civil War, a trio of trappers &#8212; Jed (Victor Mature), Gus (James Whitmore), and Mungo (Pat Hogan) &#8212; arrive at a fort that&#8217;s short on men, and are hired by a friendly captain (Guy Madison). Jed quickly falls for the wife (Anne Bancroft) of the fort&#8217;s reigning colonel (Robert Preston), who is dead set on rampaging the local Indians despite the danger this poses to his inexperienced new recruits; will Jed be able to convince Colonel Marston (Preston) not to follow through on his foolhardy plan?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anne Bancroft Films<\/li>\n<li>Anthony Mann Films<\/li>\n<li>James Whitmore Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Preston Films<\/li>\n<li>Victor Mature Films<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDirector Anthony Mann made <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Anthony-Mann\/The-1950s-westerns\">numerous westerns<\/a> during his lengthy career, including this Technicolor flick filmed in Mexico with <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Popocat%C3%A9petl\">Mount Popocat\u00e9petl<\/a> seen in the background of the fort: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mount.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mount.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mount.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mount-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mount-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mount-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The storyline centers on differing conceptions of masculinity and success, with Mature wondering if it&#8217;s time for him to finally settle down with a wife and kids (he has his eye on Bancroft), and Preston determined to regain his reputation after leading a disastrously lethal charge during the war and being nicknamed The Butcher of Shiloh. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Shaving.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Shaving.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Shaving.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Shaving-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Shaving-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Shaving-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bancroft (how strange to see her as a blonde!) serves as the tension point between the two men; she&#8217;s loyal to her husband, but attracted to Mature&#8217;s insistent virility: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Bancroft.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Bancroft.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Bancroft.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Bancroft-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Bancroft-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Bancroft-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Mature is, ironically, too <em>immature<\/em> to handle life at the fort after years in the wild, and quickly makes enemies, especially when drunk (which is often). Will he be able to redeem himself by the end? I found myself surprisingly caught up in this tale, especially the excitingly filmed final shoot-out. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Fighting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Fighting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Fighting.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Fighting-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Fighting-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Fighting-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>However, with that said &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>SPOILER ALERT: <\/p>\n<p>&#8230; the film&#8217;s very last sequence is jarring and unexpected. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/80844\/the-last-frontier#articles-reviews\">TCM&#8217;s article<\/a>: <\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>The Last Frontier&#8217;s<\/em> ending, with Mature in a blue army jacket, having been recruited into the ranks, saluting while Bancroft smiles down on him from a platform above as an inanely upbeat song blares over the soundtrack, was, Mann has said, forced on him.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Be forewarned. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Victor Mature as Jed<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mature.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mature.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mature.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mature-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mature-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Mature-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>James Whitmore as Gus<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Whitmore.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Whitmore.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Whitmore.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Whitmore-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Whitmore-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Whitmore-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine direction by Mann<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Scene.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Scene.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-79077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Scene.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Scene-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Scene-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Last-Frontier-Scene-604x242.png 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended for one-time viewing. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0049431\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/80844\/the-last-frontier#articles-reviews?articleId=202414\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/17847\/last-frontier-the\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1955\/12\/08\/archives\/civilization-last-frontier-vague-on-whos-good-or-bad.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Civilization is creepin&#8217; up on us, lads.&#8221; Synopsis: During the final days of the Civil War, a trio of trappers &#8212; Jed (Victor Mature), Gus (James Whitmore), and Mungo (Pat Hogan) &#8212; arrive at a fort that&#8217;s short on men, and are hired by a friendly captain (Guy Madison). Jed quickly falls for the wife (Anne Bancroft) of the fort&#8217;s reigning colonel (Robert Preston), who is dead set on rampaging the local Indians despite the danger this poses to his&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=79070\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=79070"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79100,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79070\/revisions\/79100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=79070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=79070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=79070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}