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      Drum Beat

      Released Nov 10, 1954 1h 51m Western List
      Reviews 7% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings In 1872, Modoc Indians ambush a stagecoach headed north to Oregon. The passengers include Johnny MacKay (Alan Ladd), who has been assigned by President Ulysses S. Grant to negotiate the surrender of Modoc warrior Captain Jack (Charles Bronson). There is also Nancy Meek (Audrey Dalton), an army colonel's daughter whom MacKay is escorting. Unfortunately, a vengeful act incites the Modoc, leaving MacKay, Meek and others caught up in the hostilities between the Indians and the army. Read More Read Less

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (1) Critics Reviews
      Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Ladd cuts a fine Western figure. Rated: B- Jul 14, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Robert C Average Western. Very disappointed as being from the area that these events were to have taken place. Yes, and American general was assassinated during this war that lasted for a few years, but it does not tell the story of the oppression the Indians had to undergo or how a small band of Indians held off a vastly larger American army. The representation of Southern Oregon Northern California being filmed in Arizona was a travesty as many movies have been filmed in this area and the lava beds that the Indians held out in is a national national monument. I like a good western the actors. Alan Ladd and Charles Bronson bud this could have been a much better movie. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/10/24 Full Review Audience Member Saw some bad reviews on this but I enjoyed it and will recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas October 31, 2023 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/31/23 Full Review James B Not as bad as the 8% audience rating. The film is a major production shot beautifully on location. It shouldn't be judged as being historically inaccurate, it's just 50s Hollywood doing its thing. Happy hunting! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/11/23 Full Review ashley h Drum Beat is a disappointing film. It is about Indian fighter Johnny MacKay who is appointed peace commissioner for the California and Oregon territory in 1872. Alan Ladd and Audrey Dalton give horrible performances. The screenplay is badly written. Delmer Daves did a terrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member 141001: I always find Ladd a little lacking. He just comes across too weak to be taken seriously, my opinion based upon this film and The Big Land (1957), which I recently viewed. Drum Beat seemed a bit slow, a bit long. Enjoyed Bronson and his totally unreasonable, treacherous character. Worth watching at least once. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review dave j Tuesday, September 2, 2014 (1954) Drum Beat WESTERN/ HISTORICAL Written and directed by Delmer Daves providing a serious look on the peace treaty between the Yankees representing the settlers and Kintpuash(Charles Bronson representing his tribe of Native Americans. Johnny MacKay (Alan Ladd) is appointed to do the job with Kintpuash making things difficult since he prefers to solve conflicts by using violent means. Not very enjoyable western Americana. 2 out of 4 stars Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Drum Beat

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1872, Modoc Indians ambush a stagecoach headed north to Oregon. The passengers include Johnny MacKay (Alan Ladd), who has been assigned by President Ulysses S. Grant to negotiate the surrender of Modoc warrior Captain Jack (Charles Bronson). There is also Nancy Meek (Audrey Dalton), an army colonel's daughter whom MacKay is escorting. Unfortunately, a vengeful act incites the Modoc, leaving MacKay, Meek and others caught up in the hostilities between the Indians and the army.
      Director
      Delmer Daves
      Production Co
      Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
      Genre
      Western
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 10, 1954, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jul 7, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 51m
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