Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Western

Tomahawk Trail (1957): Cast & Plot

Tomahawk Trail (1957) movie poster

Tomahawk Trail is a 1957 western directed by Lesley Selander, starring George N. Neise as Lt. Jonathan Davenport, Chuck Connors and Susan Cummings. It runs 1 hour.

Loading streaming availability…
Tomahawk Trail (1957) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h (60 min)
Director
Lesley Selander
Genre
Western
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tomahawk Trail About?

The premise of Tomahawk Trail without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A battered cavalry squad, a white girl, and a renegade Indian princess join forces to make a stand that saves the frontier. Led by an inept lieutenant, the unit travels the Tomahawk Trail in Apache country. After the lieutenant allows the Indians to steal their horses and is wounded, Sergeant McCoy assumes command, reaches the fort only to discover the garrison massacred. He readies the remaining men for a desperate defense, knowing the lieutenant plans to court‑marshal him if they survive.

Tomahawk Trail Themes & Keywords

· 43 tags
  • arizona territory
  • arizona
  • apache territory
  • fort bowie arizona
  • apache tribe
  • american indian war
  • b western
  • tomahawk
  • soldier
  • ambush
  • horse
  • cavalry
+31 more
  • cigar smoking
  • war cry
  • u.s. soldier
  • revolver
  • six shooter
  • pistol
  • bow and arrow
  • carbine
  • old west
  • violence
  • native american attack
  • native american
  • combat
  • sword fight
  • sword
  • cavalry saber
  • cavalry battle
  • chase
  • battle
  • gunfight
  • shootout
  • desert
  • apache indian
  • voice over narration
  • ineptitude
  • survival
  • privilege of rank
  • mutiny
  • moral dilemma
  • military officer
  • captive
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Tomahawk Trail Cast & Characters

George N. Neise leads the cast as Lt. Jonathan Davenport, with Chuck Connors as Sgt. Wade McCoy and Susan Cummings as Ellen Carter. Directed by Lesley Selander; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Tomahawk Trail

· 4 more
Plot

Tomahawk Trail Plot Summary

What happens in Tomahawk Trail from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a U.S. Cavalry patrol bound for Ft. Bowie, Lt. Jonathan Davenport, George N. Neise, the newly appointed West Point–trained commander of the troop, clashes with his second-in-command, Sgt. Wade McCoy, Chuck Connors, a seasoned veteran of the tomahawk trail. Davenport’s unfamiliarity with the West and a brittle mask of arrogance heighten the strain between them, and their uneasy dynamic sets the tone for a dangerous trek ahead.

A misjudgment under pressure leaves the platoon without ammunition and supply wagons during an Apache attack. That night, the Indians return, steal the horses, and force the men to trudge on foot through the desert toward Ft. Bowie. The troops grow resentful as Davenport’s perceived incompetence and condescending attitude fuel resentment, especially when he accuses McCoy of cowardice after constant criticisms.

Full summary

The whole story of Tomahawk Trail, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tomahawk Trail?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the newly appointed West Point‑trained commander of the cavalry patrol?

Seen Tomahawk Trail?

FAQ

Tomahawk Trail FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Tomahawk Trail, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Tomahawk Trail?

Tomahawk Trail runs 1 hour (60 minutes).

When was Tomahawk Trail released?

Tomahawk Trail was released on February 1, 1957.

Who directed Tomahawk Trail?

Tomahawk Trail was directed by Lesley Selander.

More films by Lesley Selander

Who is in the cast of Tomahawk Trail?

Tomahawk Trail stars George N. Neise as Lt. Jonathan Davenport, Chuck Connors as Sgt. Wade McCoy and Susan Cummings as Ellen Carter, among 8 credited actors.

Does Tomahawk Trail have a post-credit scene?

No. Tomahawk Trail has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app