Gilbert 'Gil' Martin, a civilized man from the East coast colonies, finds himself a loving bride, Magdelana 'Lana', and takes her West to start a homestead in the Mohawk Valley (in Upstate New York). Gil joins the minutemen, but when the Indians it's named after attack the rebellious colonists, instigated by the British, their home and belongings go up in flames, Lana looses their baby. Destitute they move and find a wealthy old widow, who is happy to put them up in her fine estate in exchange for help from both of them, but the horrors of war catch up, even the fort isn't guaranteed safe...
--Written by KGF Vissers

Customer comment: "Neglected gem! One of John Ford's finest films...", 13 May 2001
Author: Neil Doyle from U.S.A.

1939 was a banner year for great films--and certainly one of them was "Drums Along the Mohawk" in gorgeous early technicolor about a period in history not often used as the subject of a major film. Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert are fine as a young couple in the years before the Revolutionary War settling in the backwoods of New York state. The hardships of pioneer life are made even tougher by the presence of Indians on the warpath, the only refuge being a nearby fort where men, women and children find some protection.

Brilliantly photographed with lots of action scenes that bring the film vividly to life under John Ford's direction. John Carradine makes an excellent villain and Edna May Oliver gives another one of her priceless performances as an elderly widow who forms a strong attachment to the young couple. An unforgettable scene has Indians raiding her home while she refuses to budge from her bed even though they set fire to it. Scenes of Indian cruelty and torture are also present--but altogether a moving film well worth viewing to see what frontier life must have been like way back then.

Sentimental at times--but also harsh and realistic. Most memorable scene: Fonda pursued by Indians for a long chase over woodlands, finally wearing out his pursuers who collapse from sheer exhaustion. Thrilling chase!