John Ford was born with a camera in his hand. This could be what a person viewing Drums Along the Mohawk, might think. He was able to show various degrees of human emotion in this movie. The action scenes are very well done. He captures Henry Fonda’s sense of urgency, as well as his state of danger, in the movie’s climactic scene. He photographs his subjects well. This stands out with Claudette Colbert. She is a very understated actress. Her beauty is highlighted by Ford’s backlighting.
The story shows John Ford’s respect for the pioneers. The narrative is about newlyweds Gil Martin, (Henry Fonda) and Lana Martin, (Claudette Colbert). They make a journey to their new home in the Mohawk Valley, during The American Revolution They arrive in a thunderstorm. This is Ford’s way of foreshadowing. They are happy until Indian attacks, organized by tory leader Caldwell, (John Carradine), result in the burning of their home. Caldwell is first introduced sitting in a corner at an inn. He looks very creepy, lending to his villainy, which Carradine brings out well.
The couple flee to the relative safety of the nearby fort. They are provided lodging by Mrs. Mclennar, Edna Mae Oliver. She also gives Lana a job, while Gil is in the militia. The performance by Edna Mae Oliver, of the hardened widow, earned her an oscar nomination. It was her only one. She is great in the role. Her character can drink with the men, and fight alongside them. Edna Mae Oliver, was acting since she was fourteen. She dropped out of school to pursue her passion. It paid off. She was able to provide supporting roles for several years. She even played a school teacher, named Hildegarde Withers, who was also an amateur sleuth, in a series of movies.
There is a wonderful party celebrating a couple’s engagement. This was a way of John Ford, showing the calm before the storm. Lana goes off by herself, and wishes life could always be this way. It is after this, that the fort is attacked. Ford does well with the scene. He shows the attacking Indians, from the settler’s view. One of the defenders, is a man named Adam Hartman, (Ward Bond). It is a very good role for Ward Bond. He usually had supporting roles, in his good friend, John Ford’s movies. He takes a liking to Mrs. Mclennar, and fights at her side during the attack.
It is during the climactic scene, when Gil goes for help. This is after another settler goes for help, and is captured. The Indians are about to burn him alive, in full view of the fort’s defenders. No one can reach him. Reverend Rosencrantz, (Arthur Shields), mercifully shoots him. It is one of many scenes in this film, that shows death and loss. Gil leaves the fort, and is immediately pursued. He runs from the enemy. John Ford shows masterful direction in this scene, There are a few shots, where Gil is in danger, and he looks over his shoulder, to see his pursuers. Another shot shows a great distance between Gil and the Indians. These scenes caused Henry Fonda’s children, to be scared for their father. It is an example of how gripping these scenes are.
Drums Along the Mohawk, shows war at it’s worst. The militia goes to join up with Washington’s army. They march with fierce determination, and say goodbye to their loved ones. Ford focuses on Claudette Colbert’s face, filled with sadness. The scene of the troops coming home, after The Battle of Oriskany brings the viewers the stark reality of war. Many of the militia, didn’t make it back. Lana is frantically searching for Gil. She is heartbroken, when the captain tells her he was the last of the survivors. Lana doesn’t give up. She keeps searching in a thunderstorm. Lana finds him, exhausted and drenched by the rain and covered in mud. She nurses him back to health. This is the upside to things. Unfortunately General Herkiner, has been gravely wounded. He need his leg amputated, sadly, he doesnt survive.
John Ford succeeds with his different perspectives of war. When the militia is marching off to war, the day is clear and sunny. The militia return home to a terrible thunderstorm. His perspectives are made clearer, by color photography. This was the first film Ford shot in color. He probably could have made the movie in black and white. He never loses a step with the new technology. Color was normally used for a limited number of films. It has a great impact on this film.
John Ford was a master filmmaker. He was fortunate to work with exceptional actors, like Henry Fonda, John Wayne and James Stewart. It could be debated, like sports, that is the players, who make the manager. This may be true in sports, but not for John Ford. He gave Henry Fonda and John Wayne their push to stardom. It requires a special talent to make films. It requires a certain skill level above and beyond, to make movies of a high quality. This is what John Ford did with Drums Along the Mohawk.