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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 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 idiot 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 a 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 does a good job, too.