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A Thunder of Drums

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Stationed in an isolated desert outpost, Lt. Curtis McQuade (George Hamilton), an inexperienced cavalry officer, must adjust to his new spartan life under his surly superior, Capt. Stephen Maddocks (Richard Boone). Tensions between the young soldier and his embittered leader are heightened by their mutual infatuation with the beautiful Tracey Hamilton (Luana Patten). When the troops have to face fierce local Apaches, will Maddocks and McQuade be able to put their differences aside?
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A Thunder of Drums

Critics Reviews

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Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Sociological study of US Cavalry is grim, but at least it's faithful to director Newman's traditions. Dec 13, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lanfranco C Old values, but sound. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/24/24 Full Review Terre C This film was a disappointment from screenwriter Ballah. The dialog was strained. I'm stunned because Ballah wrote some good movies, and it had a great cast, but no energy. Richard Boone just didn't have his heart in it. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/02/24 Full Review deke p Gets way better, real good, later, after the soap opera stuff early. Cuz RICHARD BOONE at his most serious. + GEORGE HAMILTON, RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN. Never heard of until THE MOVIE CHANNEL, 3.20.21 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Rather dull cavalry tale that mostly centers around the conflict between the outfits' bitter veteran leader, Richard Boone, and a young lieutenant, George Hamilton. I had hope for this film because it was written by James Warner Bellah who wrote the stories that John Ford's cavalry trilogy were based upon and he also wrote Ford's classic "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." However, this film is nowhere in the league of a John Ford western. There's romance, overtones of Mutiny on the Bounty, and the vilifying and killing of native people. If you've ever watched a cavalry film before, you've already seen this film and probably saw it done better. The film does include early appearances by Richard Chamberlain, Duane Eddy and Charles Bronson also appear in the film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Thunder of Drums

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Movie Info

Synopsis Stationed in an isolated desert outpost, Lt. Curtis McQuade (George Hamilton), an inexperienced cavalry officer, must adjust to his new spartan life under his surly superior, Capt. Stephen Maddocks (Richard Boone). Tensions between the young soldier and his embittered leader are heightened by their mutual infatuation with the beautiful Tracey Hamilton (Luana Patten). When the troops have to face fierce local Apaches, will Maddocks and McQuade be able to put their differences aside?
Director
Joseph M. Newman
Producer
Robert Enders
Screenwriter
James Warner Bellah
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 19, 2016
Runtime
1h 37m
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