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Drum Beat

  • 19541954
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
973
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Drum Beat (1954)
  • Adventure
  • Western
In 1872, Indian fighter Johnny MacKay is appointed peace commissioner for the California and Oregon territory but he faces tough opposition from the renegade Modocs led by their chief Captai... Read allIn 1872, Indian fighter Johnny MacKay is appointed peace commissioner for the California and Oregon territory but he faces tough opposition from the renegade Modocs led by their chief Captain Jack.In 1872, Indian fighter Johnny MacKay is appointed peace commissioner for the California and Oregon territory but he faces tough opposition from the renegade Modocs led by their chief Captain Jack.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
973
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Delmer Daves
  • Writer
    • Delmer Daves(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Alan Ladd
    • Audrey Dalton
    • Marisa Pavan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Delmer Daves
  • Writer
    • Delmer Daves(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Alan Ladd
    • Audrey Dalton
    • Marisa Pavan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos14

    On location at Oak Creek in Arizona during filming of "Drum Beat"
    Alan Ladd and Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd, Warner Anderson, Anthony Caruso, Frank Ferguson, Richard Gaines, and Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd and Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd and Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd and Charles Bronson in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd and Elisha Cook Jr. in Drum Beat (1954)
    Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd and Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Alan Ladd, Audrey Dalton, and Marisa Pavan in Drum Beat (1954)
    Drum Beat (1954)
    Drum Beat (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alan Ladd
    Alan Ladd
    • Johnny MacKayas Johnny MacKay
    Audrey Dalton
    Audrey Dalton
    • Nancy Meekas Nancy Meek
    Marisa Pavan
    Marisa Pavan
    • Tobyas Toby
    Robert Keith
    Robert Keith
    • Bill Satterwhiteas Bill Satterwhite
    Rodolfo Acosta
    Rodolfo Acosta
    • Scarface Charlieas Scarface Charlie
    Charles Bronson
    Charles Bronson
    • Kintpuash - aka Captain Jackas Kintpuash - aka Captain Jack
    Warner Anderson
    Warner Anderson
    • Gen. Edward Canbyas Gen. Edward Canby
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Blaine Crackelas Blaine Crackel
    Anthony Caruso
    Anthony Caruso
    • Manokas Manok
    Richard Gaines
    Richard Gaines
    • Dr. Thomasas Dr. Thomas
    Hayden Rorke
    Hayden Rorke
    • President Ulysses S. Grantas President Ulysses S. Grant
    Frank DeKova
    Frank DeKova
    • Modoc Jimas Modoc Jim
    Perry Lopez
    Perry Lopez
    • Bogus Charlieas Bogus Charlie
    Isabel Jewell
    Isabel Jewell
    • Lily Whiteas Lily White
    Peggy Converse
    • Mrs. Ulysses S. Grantas Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant
    Pat Lawless
    • O'Brienas O'Brien
    Frank Ferguson
    Frank Ferguson
    • Mr. Dyaras Mr. Dyar
    George J. Lewis
    George J. Lewis
    • Capt. Alonzo Clarkas Capt. Alonzo Clark
    • (as George Lewis)
    • Director
      • Delmer Daves
    • Writer
      • Delmer Daves(screenplay) (story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    President Grant orders Indian fighter MacKay to negotiate peace with the Modocs of northern California and southern Oregon. On the way he must escort Nancy Meek to the home of her aunt and uncle. After Modoc renegade Captain Jack's group engages in ambush and other atrocities, MacKay eventually ends up tracking Captain Jack down and fighting him one-on-one to apprehend him. —Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
    • year 1872
    • bare chested male
    • romantic rivalry
    • interracial romance
    • brother sister relationship
    • 84 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Only the fierce Modocs knew the terrible meaning of each beat of the Drum !
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actor Charles Buchinsky (his birth name) changed his name to Charles Bronson, using his new moniker for the first time in this film, and remained so for the rest of his acting career.
    • Goofs
      President Grant is shown wearing his Army uniform in the White House. This is inaccurate as General Grant resigned his commission in 1869.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Thomas: Don't you feel like a murderer?

      Johnny MacKay: No, sir.

      Dr. Thomas: Shouldn't you?

      Johnny MacKay: I've never shot anyone without cause. My job is to protect the wagon train. When somebody shoots at my people, I shoot back.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Good Life (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Drum Beat
      Music by Victor Young

      Lyrics by Ned Washington

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Handsomely produced western in gorgeous WideScreen color...
    While the plot of DRUM BEAT is based on a true incident during frontier days on the plains, nothing about the film suggests that it's any more than a standard Cavalry vs. Indians western seen hundreds of times since the movies were born.

    However, credit director Delmer Daves for finding some gorgeous locations for his story and casting Charles Bronson and Anthony Caruso as Indians who look marvelously authentic in their make-up. Not so fortunate are Marisa Pavan and Audrey Dalton in the weak female roles that could have been played by any young ingénue on the Warner lot.

    Alan Ladd is the Indian expert hired by President Grant to make peaceful overtures to the Modocs, headed by Bronson. Elisha Cook, Jr. is interesting as a corrupt Indian trader and most of the supporting roles get good results, especially in the action scenes, all of which are well-staged by director Daves. Especially good is a climactic fight between Ladd and Bronson as they tumble down a rushing stream and fall over the rocky terrain. Ladd seems to be doing most of his stunts in this action-packed scene.

    But otherwise, he delivers a rather stoic performance, showing barely any expression even in his brief love scenes with Audrey Dalton. Hard to tell if he was bored or just impatient with the routine script.

    All in all, worth watching for the action scenes and the handsome landscapes filmed in beautiful WideScreen Technicolor.
    helpful•6
    4
    • Doylenf
    • Jan 9, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 1955 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Delmer Daves' Drum Beat
    • Filming locations
      • Cathedral Rock, Sedona, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Jaguar Productions
      • Ladd Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,100,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

    Related news

    Hell on Frisco Bay
    Oct 21Trailers from Hell
    Not Available on DVD: Drum Beat
    Oct 10WeAreMovieGeeks.com

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