Watch The Guns of Fort Petticoat

The Guns of Fort Petticoat is a 1957 western movie that captures the struggles and triumphs of a frontier woman determined to succeed in a man's world. The film stars Audie Murphy as Lt. Frank Hewitt, a cavalry officer who is sent on a mission to rescue a group of women and children from the Comanche Indians. Along the way, Hewitt is forced to contend with not only the Comanches but also with his own prejudices against women in the military.

The story begins with the Comanches attacking a wagon train and taking several women and children captive. Among them is a young widow, played by Kathryn Grant, who is not content to sit idly by and wait for rescue. When Hewitt and his troops arrive, she takes charge of the other women, teaching them how to shoot and defend themselves.

This is the central conflict of the movie: the women must learn how to survive in a hostile environment and prove themselves capable of fighting alongside the men. Hewitt is initially skeptical of their abilities, but as they prove themselves time and again, he comes to respect them and recognize that they are just as fierce and courageous as any man.

Throughout the movie, there are several action-packed sequences as the women and men fight off attacks from the Comanches. The women are portrayed as brave and resourceful, never giving up or backing down even in the face of great danger. The men, on the other hand, are shown as being stubborn and slow to change, clinging to outdated ideas about women and their place in society.

The movie also touches on themes of loss and redemption. Hewitt is haunted by the memory of his wife, who was killed by the Comanches, and it is only through his interactions with the women that he is able to start to move on and find a new sense of purpose. Similarly, the women are all survivors of some kind of tragedy, and it is only by working together that they are able to overcome their past and build a new life for themselves.

The performances in the movie are uniformly excellent. Audie Murphy, who was himself a decorated war hero, brings a sense of authenticity to his portrayal of Hewitt. Kathryn Grant is equally impressive as the determined widow, holding her own against both the Comanches and the male members of the cast. Hope Emerson also stands out as a gruff but ultimately caring sergeant who takes the women under her wing and helps them become capable fighters.

Overall, The Guns of Fort Petticoat is a classic western that offers an inspiring and empowering message about the strength and resilience of women. Through its exciting action sequences and well-drawn characters, the movie shows that anyone, regardless of gender, can rise to the occasion and become a hero when the situation demands it.