Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: Drums along the Mohawk

Fabulous Film of 1939
Directed by John Ford

Starring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert

Today, let’s talk Classic Revolutionary War Epic-Drums along the Mohawk! Released in 1939 by 20th Century-Fox, Drums along the Mohawk was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by the legendary John Ford. The movie was filmed in Technicolor and was Mr. Ford’s first color feature. It was based on the historically factual novel by American author, Walter D. Edmonds. Although some of the characters and events are omitted, changed, or combined for easier storytelling, the basic elements of the book are still evident in the film. The first-rate cast of Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda, Edna May Oliver, Ward Bond, John Carradine, Arthur Shields, and Jessie Ralph are entirely believable in their roles. Drums along the Mohawk is filled with all the adventure, hardship, and tragedy that early American settlers faced on a day-to-day basis.

In 1776, newlyweds Gil and Lana Martin (Fonda and Colbert) leave Albany, New York to settle on a small farm on the western frontier of the Mohawk Valley in central New York. Life on the farm is especially hard on gentry-born Lana, but she learns to adjust and work alongside her husband. As they begin building a life together, Lana becomes pregnant. She miscarries, however, when the American Revolution begins and their homestead is burned during an Indian raid led by a British Tory named Caldwell (Carradine). With winter approaching, the homeless Martins find they must accept work and shelter from wealthy widow, Mrs. McKlennar (Oliver). The tough old woman teaches Lana the true meaning of “pioneer spirit” and they become fast friends.

When the valley is later threatened by the Tories and Indians, the poorly-trained militia is called up to fight at Oriskany, barely defeating the enemy there. Gil returns home wounded and delirious. While he recovers, a pregnant Lana gives birth to a son. As the story progresses, the settlers must take refuge at Fort Herkimer to again fight attacking Mohawks and Tories. With ammunition running low, Gil, makes a daring cross-country “run” through enemy lines to bring back help from nearby Fort Dayton. (That “run” is one of the most memorable sequences of the motion picture.) As Indians scale the wall of Fort Herkimer, reinforcements arrive to save the day and the lives of the surviving settlers.

Drums along the Mohawk was well-received by audiences, making it a major box-office success in 1939. It earned two Academy Award nominations-one for best cinematography and one for best supporting actress, Edna May Oliver. It is an exciting, action-packed film full of drama and adventure. It also has its moments of humor and romance. We thoroughly enjoy Drums along the Mohawk and highly recommend it. Don’t miss our next post for another Fabulous Film of 1939.

**Trivia Question for Today: Before Claudette Colbert came aboard, who was originally to have played the part of Lana Martin in Drums along the Mohawk?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Silent screen legend Lon Chaney, Sr. (The Man of a Thousand Faces) played Quasimodo in the Hollywood’s silent version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He did his own makeup and incredible stunts.