Watch War Drums

War Drums is a western adventure film that was released in 1957. The film stars a well-known cast, including Lex Barker, Joan Taylor, and Ben Johnson. The movie was directed by Reginald Le Borg and produced by Albert Zugsmith. The story of the film follows a group of settlers who have been living peacefully with the natives on their land. However, when a greedy businessman arrives in town and brings with him an insatiable thirst for gold, tensions rise between the settlers and the natives. This eventually leads to a full-scale war between the two groups, with both sides fighting for what they believe to be rightfully theirs.

The film opens with the arrival of a trader named Johnny Hawks (played by Lex Barker) in the small town of Red Rock. Johnny is immediately drawn to the beautiful Nancy Meek (played by Joan Taylor), the daughter of a prominent settler. However, their romance is quickly put on hold as Johnny discovers that the town is on the brink of war with the Pawnee tribe.

The tension between the settlers and the natives has been building for some time, fueled by the arrival of a businessman named Henry Ballard (played by Richard Cutting) who is determined to extract as much gold as possible from the land. Ballard hires a band of outlaws to help him secure the gold, but their presence only serves to heighten the tension between the settlers and the natives.

As the conflict between the two groups intensifies, Johnny and his friend Captain Sam Brady (played by Ben Johnson) find themselves caught in the middle. Despite their best efforts to bring peace between the warring factions, they are unable to prevent the escalating violence.

The film is filled with action-packed scenes, including several gripping battles between the settlers and the Pawnee tribe. The film's depiction of native people is somewhat stereotypical, with the characters viewed as savage and uncivilized. However, the film also includes characters like Johnny and Nancy who show empathy and understanding towards the natives, making an effort to learn their language and customs.

Apart from the action scenes, the film also provides some tender moments between characters as they face the realities of war and the loss that it brings. The chemistry between the lead actors, Barker and Taylor, is palpable, and their romance adds a layer of depth to the story.

War Drums also boasts a powerful musical score that adds to the film's dramatic impact. The score combines classic western themes with a distinct Native American feel that gives the film an authentic and immersive atmosphere.

Despite its flaws and stereotypical depiction of Native Americans, War Drums remains a gripping and entertaining western that fans of the genre will enjoy. The film's powerful performances, thrilling action scenes, and emotional moments make it a standout entry in the western canon.

War Drums is a 1957 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.