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Drums Along the Mohawk

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Drums Along the Mohawk

Released Nov 3, 1939

1h 43m

History

Drama

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82%

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11 Reviews

59%

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2,500+ Ratings

The year is 1776, and newlyweds Gilbert (Henry Fonda) and Lana Martin (Claudette Colbert) have decided to take up a rural lifestyle. However, following the onset of the American Revolutionary War, the couple's quiet life in the Mohawk Valley is interrupted by violent attacks from Native Americans and Tories. The Martins refuse to succumb to the difficulties of their new life, though, as Lana takes on the responsibility of raising a child while Gilbert joins the colonists' militia.

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Jeremiah Kipp

Slant Magazine

A lesser effort from Ford.

Rated: 2/4

May 17, 2005

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

While Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz are often regarded as the standard bearers of Technicolor photography, it's hard to fathom why Drums Along the Mohawk isn't mentioned right alongside them.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 7, 2019

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Jeremy Heilman

MovieMartyr.com

Duty leads to detachment, as is typical in Ford, and there are sterling examples here of resolute stoicism triumphing over hysteria.

Rated: 73/100

Aug 16, 2012

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Visually very pleasing.

Rated: B

Dec 11, 2007

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Paul Brenner

Filmcritic.com

a revelation

Rated: 4/5

Oct 19, 2007

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

It was Ford's first film in color and contains at least a handful of his most beautifully composed moments.

Aug 22, 2005

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Audience Member

Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert did an outstanding job and his movie. Yes I highly recommend it. It was really good James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, November 14, 2023.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

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georgan g

I understand this was made in 1939, but it is so sexist & racist that it was hard to watch.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Steve D

weak western with some old fashioned ideas.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/03/23

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Audience Member

Corny yes, but great Upstate NY history. The British actually successfully ambushed the Americans but the Indians deserted after the battle. The real attack on Fort Stanwix was very short with few casualties.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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s r

Saw this for Ford and the for the historical take on the time period. It was reasonably good, but the hollywood stereotypes distracted from making this a truly good film that will last.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Maybe the best movie about the American Revolution, at least the fronter war, ever made. Colbert and Fonda are amazing, plus a great supporting cast, especially Edna May Oliver and the usual John Ford Regulars. The most amazng scene maybe is Gil describing the battle he was just in as Lana cares for his wounds.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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John Ford

Director

Claudette Colbert

'Lana' Magdelana

Henry Fonda

Gilbert Martin

John Carradine

Caldwell

Edna May Oliver

Mrs. McKlennar

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Synopsis

The year is 1776, and newlyweds Gilbert (Henry Fonda) and Lana Martin (Claudette Colbert) have decided to take up a rural lifestyle. However, following the onset of the American Revolutionary War, the couple's quiet life in the Mohawk Valley is interrupted by violent attacks from Native Americans and Tories. The Martins refuse to succumb to the difficulties of their new life, though, as Lana takes on the responsibility of raising a child while Gilbert joins the colonists' militia.

Director: John Ford
Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Lamar Trotti, Sonya Levien
Distributor: Key Video, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 3, 1939, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 43m

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