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Action Cult Classic

A Black Union veteran inherits a ranch—and the war for justice isn't over.

THE MCMASTERS

After the wedding... they were given a real fine reception.

1970 · 1h 30m · PG · Action / Drama / Western · IMDB TMDB

When a black Civil War veteran becomes co-owner of the southern McMasters ranch, the incensed local Confederate veterans come gunning for him and his Indian wife.

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Quick Answer

What is The McMasters about?

The McMasters is a 1970 American action-drama western directed by Alf Kjellin about a Black Civil War veteran who faces renewed prejudice when he becomes co-owner of a southern ranch after the war.

Programmer's Pick

The McMasters rides into revisionist western territory with a cast that doesn't shy from bigotry or violence. Brock Peters, Burl Ives, and Jack Palance bring grit and gravitas to a story that questions what 'freedom' really means, long after the cannons go silent.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in the turbulent aftermath of the American Civil War, The McMasters follows Benjie, a Black Union soldier returning to a Southern town where freedom is still an illusion. Though his former master gifts him land, Benjie finds acceptance hard to come by—except from White Feather, a Native American ally, and his tribe who agree to work the ranch. Their partnership is met with hostility, especially from local Confederate veterans and agitators who see Benjie’s newfound status and his Indian wife as an affront to their old order. With racial tensions simmering, the film explores the collision of postwar ideals and entrenched prejudice on the untamed frontier.

Details & Specs

Director
Alf Kjellin
Writer
Harold Jacob Smith
Release
1970
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Action, Drama, Western
Also Known As
A fekete farmer, The McMasters... Tougher Than the West Itself!, L'ultimo tramonto sulla terra dei Mc Masters, O kynigimenos, Le clan des Mac Masters, Die McMasters

Why This Matters

The McMasters is notable for its troubled release, with disputes over distributor cuts leading to two different versions being shown simultaneously in New York—one the director's cut and the other a distributor-edited version—after key creative figures requested removal of their names.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Alf Kjellin Writer: Harold Jacob Smith
Burl Ives Burl Ives McMasters Brock Peters Brock Peters Benjie David Carradine David Carradine White Feather Nancy Kwan Nancy Kwan Robin Jack Palance Jack Palance Kolby John Carradine John Carradine Preacher L.Q. Jones L.Q. Jones Russel R.G. Armstrong R.G. Armstrong Watson Dane Clark Dane Clark Spencer FR Frank Raiter Grant Alan Vint Alan Vint Hank Marion Brash Marion Brash Mrs. Watson ND Neil Davis Sylvester PE Paul Eichenberg Jud RA Richard Alden Lester LS Lonnie Samuel Bull AH Albert Hockmeister Sheriff DS David Strong Otis DS Dumas Slade Cullen JH Joan Harold Mrs. Spencer WK William Kiernan Bartender JN José Naranjo Indian Joe LD Leo Dillenschneider Watson's Son RM Richard Martinez Black Fox JD Joseph Duran Black Cloud BA Bill Alexander Barber FN Frank Nanoia Rancher DW David Welty Kolby's Son

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Why Cult

Revisionist Western Angle

This isn't your standard shootout—the film exposes the ugly realities of racism and bigotry in the post-Civil War South.

Interracial Alliances

Watch a rare alliance between a Black ex-slave and Native Americans as they attempt to build a future against the odds.

Notable Cast

Brock Peters, Burl Ives, Jack Palance, and David Carradine anchor the film with memorable performances.

Race Relations on the Range

The film directly confronts issues of racial prejudice, ex-slaves, and reconciliation amid cattle rustling and violence.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was The McMasters released? +

The McMasters was released in 1970.

Who directed The McMasters? +

Alf Kjellin directed The McMasters.

How long is The McMasters? +

The McMasters has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is The McMasters? +

The McMasters is an action-drama western.

Trailers & Clips

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