TL;DR – While the scenery is delightful, not much more can be said to recommend this film.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was sent a screener of this film.

Warning – Contains scenes which may cause distress.

Frontier Crucible Review Introduction –

Have you ever started a film and gotten an immediate odd vibe, wait, why isn’t there a credited writer … wait, they cast who in this film … in 2024 … oh, that not great. But it is so long since I have seen a good Western, I persisted. I am not sure I should have.  

So, to set the scene, in the Arizona Territory of 1872, A man alone by a campfire realises he is surrounded, and it soon becomes clear that they do not have friendly intent as blood is spilt. Two years later, Major O’Rourke (William H. Macy) is trying with Merrick Beckford (Myles Clohessy) to work out how to get much-needed medical supplies past the Apache to a town full of an epidemic. On that mission, he runs into Mule (Thomas Jane), an outlaw in disguise, whose luck ran out with some Apache people. Beckford takes mercy on them because they have a wounded man (Eli Brown) and his wife, Valerie (Mary Stickley). But he will regret this choice.        

The Scenery

Now, to be clear, there are some places in the world that no matter what quality your film is, they will be elevated by the backdrop. Monument Valley is one of those locations, and this film puts it front and centre from the moment the opening credits roll. The rest of the film continues along this trend, if not quite as magnificent, which does make for engaging viewing from a visual perspective. It is a beautiful, but as we will see, an unfortunately hollow film.   

The Dialogue

The first major warning comes from the opening exchange between William H. Macy and Myles Clohessy, and to say it was rough is putting it mildly. It felt like the stage direction was how to speak elegantly in silk with a mouth full of gravel. This was an opening prelude to a dire reality. I am not sure if it was the acting, the direction, or the script, but it fails at almost every level. There is no sense of tension or concern; it is almost like robots following a code rather than meaningful discussion, which is not helped by a plot that plods along at a snail’s pace. Thus we get a padded two-hour film, and I don’t think it respects your time.

The Narrative   

Very few things about the narrative make sense when you regard the characters in the play. Why are Valerie and her husband with them at the start, if the film explains it doesn’t make it clear. Why would Beckford let someone called “The Mule” come with him when he might as well have “I am a villain” tattooed on his head? Why does he act the way he does with the Apache when the ending makes a big reveal that changes everything? This is meant to be a smart man, but in several times, he monologues, giving people the time to get the drop on him. It’s honestly infuriating. There are times when you could have seen a good film in this mess, alas, that is not what we got.  

Recommendation

In the end, do we recommend Frontier Crucible? No, sorry, we can’t at all. I was more annoyed with the film than with any other emotion, and that is not the foundation one can use to build a positive foundation. Have you watched Frontier Crucible? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.If you liked Frontier Crucible, we would recommend High Ground to you because it will allow you to explore more in the Western genre.  

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Bluesky at @Tldrmovrev, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

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Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of Frontier Crucible
Directed by – Travis Mills
Story by – S. Craig Zahler
Based on – Desert Stake-Out by Harry Whittington
Music by – Sean Rowe
Cinematography by – Maxime Alexandre
Edited by – Jared Bentley
Production/Distribution Companies – Well Go USA, Bonfire Legend, Voltage Pictures, Renegade Entertainment, & Defiant Screen Entertainment
Starring – Myles Clohessy, Mary Stickley, Armie Hammer, William H. Macy, & Thomas Jane
With – Eli Brown, Ryan Masson, Zane Holtz, & Eddie Spears
Rating – Australia: MA15+; Canada: na; Germany: 16; New Zealand: na; United Kingdom: 18; United States: R