A Thunder of Drums

A Thunder of Drums is a western movie from 1961 that tells the story of a group of soldiers stationed at an isolated cavalry outpost in the southwestern United States during the late 19th century. The movie is directed by Joseph M. Newman and stars Richard Boone as Captain Stephen Maddocks, the commander of the outpost, and George Hamilton as Lieutenant Porter, a young officer who becomes his protégé.

The movie starts with a group of soldiers riding through the desert, led by Maddocks, who is leading them to their new assignment at Fort Canby, a remote outpost that is located near Indian territory. As they approach their destination, they are attacked by a group of Apaches, who kill several of the soldiers and wound Maddocks.

When they finally reach Fort Canby, Maddocks finds that the soldiers there are demoralized and undisciplined, and he immediately sets out to whip them into shape. He also clashes with the outgoing commander, Colonel Wagner (Charles Bronson), who is more interested in the comforts of his retirement than in the welfare of his men.

As Maddocks works to train his troops and prepare them for the dangers of their assignment, he also has to deal with the personal dramas of his men. Lieutenant Porter, who has come to Fort Canby to escape a failed romance, finds himself falling in love with the local doctor's daughter, Philadelphia (Luana Patten), who is engaged to a civilian contractor.

The tensions at Fort Canby escalate when the Apaches start raiding nearby settlements, and it becomes clear that a large force is preparing to attack the fort. Maddocks, Porter, and the other soldiers must work together to defend the outpost and hold off the enemy until reinforcements can arrive.

The movie is a classic tale of duty, honor, and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of the American West. It features plenty of action, with thrilling battles between the soldiers and the Apaches, as well as some quieter moments of character development and romance. The performances by Boone, Hamilton, and Patten are all excellent, and there is some fine supporting work from the likes of Bronson and Richard Chamberlain, who plays a young officer transferred to Fort Canby.

The movie is also notable for its portrayal of the Apache people, who are shown as both fearsome warriors and complex human beings. There is a strong sense of respect for their culture and traditions, as well as an acknowledgement of the injustices they suffered at the hands of the white settlers.

Overall, A Thunder of Drums is a well-constructed and entertaining western that will appeal to fans of the genre. It combines thrilling action sequences with solid character development and romance, and features some strong performances from its talented cast. Whether you are a seasoned western enthusiast or just looking for a good old-fashioned adventure, this movie is definitely worth checking out.