Review of Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) by Daniel K — 15 Aug 2008

I have come to realize that John Ford is the greatest director of American films to have ever walked the earth. He seems to have mastered the art of storytelling completely and focused on varying periods of American history.

Itâ??s interesting that he was able to bring to life so many different chapters of American history and yet his passion lay closer to Ireland and The Quiet Man. It only proves once again that one can be simultaneously proud of oneâ??s ancestral lands and country, even if they are separated by an ocean.

I am similarly drawn to England, Wales, and Germany even though I am also obviously an American. Itâ??s incredible this is Fordâ??s first Technicolor effort as it looks incredible, but then again he did have Mrs.

Kalmus in the lab (sense the sarcasm, but she did make it look beautiful usually). The chase scene towards the end looks spectacular. It is certainly a far cry from more modern interpretations of the color palette associated with frontier areas though.

I canâ??t say Iâ??m a big Colbert fan, but Fonda turns in another stellar performance and has the eyes to go along with it. I canâ??t immediately recall a revolutionary war film that compares to this in quality.

Itâ??s interesting how relevant aspects of it could be to the current conflicts America is involved in, but the film certainly was not about COIN for Ford. He definitely knows how to end a film though.