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Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
Rate:
4
Viewed:
11/24
11/24:
Drums Along the Mohawk is a boring American Revolutionary War picture that's set in the wild frontier of
upstate New York (it wasn't shot there on location but rather in Utah).
It's hard to believe this turkey was directed by John Ford. I thought he was better than that. Many times, I've
been reminded of The Last of the Mohicans. There are certain
similarities like Daniel Day-Lewis bearing a striking resemblance to Henry Fonda, the mercy killing of a man
who's about to be burned alive, and Indians fighting the militia. I wonder if Michael Mann saw it to prepare
for his aforementioned film.
The trouble with Drums Along the Mohawk is there's hardly any action. In between is a lot of boring talk
and going through stuff with idiotic characters. Tough to swallow is the sight of Henry Fonda outrunning three
Indians for hours and hours. I just don't think so. At one point, he tells a tale of brutal fighting, but I'm
not shown the actuality of it. Gee...thanks, Mr. Ford, for being lazy.
Worst of all, I have to put up with Edna May Oliver's shrill behavior. It's ridiculous that she was
Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Claudette Colbert looks too damn pretty all the time, even after
delivering her character's baby. She must have had a team of makeup people and hairdressers around her, a
preposterous idea for such time.
All in all, The Last of the Mohicans renders
Drums Along the Mohawk obsolete although Revolution has done a
better job, too.