Alf Kjellin, born in 1920 in Sweden, made a significant mark as a director with The McMasters (1970). This film exemplifies his ability to blend traditional storytelling with the edgy elements characteristic of cult cinema. Kjellin transitioned from a successful acting career to directing, bringing a distinct perspective to his projects. His work in The McMasters reflects the era's fascination with unconventional narratives, solidifying his place in the exploration of genre cinema.
The McMasters
Set in the immediate post-Civil War era, The McMasters stars Brock Peters as a black Union soldier who finds he must figuratively fight the war all over again. Returning to his southern hometown, Peters quickly learns that nothing has really changed: he is a "free"man in name only. Peters' ex-master Burl Ives magnanimously gives the former slave a plot of land, but only Native-American David Carradine and his tribesmen are willing to work for a black man. The "invasion" of Indians serves to stir up the racial divisiveness even farther, thanks to local rabble-rouser Jack Palance.
