A Thunder of Drums

Massacre at dawn is an American Western directed by Joseph M. Newman from the year 1961.

Action

In the 70s of the 19th century, the headstrong and inexperienced Lieutenant McQuade is ordered to Fort Canby in Arizona. Soon he has the commander, the hard-hearted Indian fighter Captain Maddocks, applied with his brashness against him. Furthermore, he is a trouble when he wants to renew his old love affair with Tracey Hamilton, who lives in the Fort with her fiancé Lieutenant Gresham.

Gresham knows about the affair between Tracey and McQuade. When he does not return one day by a patrol, accompanied McQuade Maddocks and his search party. To McQuades horror they find Gresham and his men killed by Indians on. Shocked looks a McQuade that his carefree affair with Tracey could be a reason that Gresham has not focused on his mission. In order to avenge his comrades, to McQuade wants to use as bait. Maddocks hopes the attention of the Apaches can use it to divert attention from himself and his people.

With a handful of men McQuade expected the attack of the Indians on a cliff. The Apaches attack at dawn, but are wiped out by Maddocks troops. When the battle is the only friend of Lieutenant, Sergeant Rodermill, killed by an arrow. As McQuade returns to the fort, he finds Tracey before packing. You want to go back to the east coast. When he said goodbye to her, he realizes that Maddocks motto is the only correct philosophy of life for a cavalryman. Maddocks motto is " bachelors are the best soldiers. All you have to lose is their loneliness. "

Reviews

The lexicon of the International film looks in the film a "formal lying somewhat above the average for Western singing the praises of masculinity and military virtues, which the Indians are listed as enemy coarse. "

AH Weiler of the New York Times praised the dialogues of author Bellah and the diligent work as a director Newman. Nevertheless, the film is again proof that Indians and cavalry and passions are not a good mix.

Awards

The film was nominated in 1962 at the award ceremony of the Laurel Awards for the Golden Laurel in the category Best Action Drama. He finished fifth.

Background

The production of MGM premiered on September 26, 1961 in New York. In Germany the film was first published on March 9, 1962.

Duane Eddy, known at the time as a rock musician, came into this movie the second time before the camera. Richard Chamberlain was here his debut in a film production.

One of the stuntmen was the future director Hal Needham.

Writer Bellah, was known for his Western stories that have been published, among others, of the Saturday Evening Post. Bellah was often viewed as a misanthrope and referred to by his own son as a fascist, racist and fanatic first class. John Ford was one of the directors who used Bellah stories as a screenwriter basis. This Ford defused the obvious Indians hate Bellah.

1961 in film Screenplay Film score Harry Sukman Ferris Webster George Hamilton (actor)
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