Runtime: 75 minutes
Directed by: Hugo Fregonese
Starring: Stephen McNally, Coleen Gray, Willard Parker, Arthur Shields, James Griffith
From: Universal
A Western that (possibly) inspired Assault on Precinct 13 which isn’t Rio Bravo… sign me up!
Recently, a Letterboxd mutual reviewed this film and made this comparison. This was enough motivation to check out a film new to me in a genre I only dabble in occasionally. Stephen McNally is Sam, a gambler who is booted out of Spanish Boot due to his shooting of a man… even if it was in self-defense. The people of the town-some of whom are Welsh miners, believe it or not-are pious jerks who want to “clean up” even though many of them come off as irritating. The other “undesirables” include prostitutes and a Black servant. If it wasn’t for his love of Coleen Gray, I wouldn’t have blamed Sam if he thought, “The hell with Spanish Boot!” When even the town’s mayor despises you… as Gray’s Sally does live in the remote town, he returns to warn that the Apache are in the area.
Many people likely know by now that Assault was in essence a version of Rio Bravo. It’s unknown if Carpenter has ever commented on Apache Drums but the final half hour is straight fire. The Apache (none of whom were portrayed by Native Americans, as it’s still the 50’s. Instead, they were played by lifeguards from Santa Monica, no lie) do attack Spanish Boot, and the survivors are holed up in an adobe church with windows high up on the walls, making it much easier for the Apache to jump in than the townspeople to see this threat beforehand.
This was a Val Lewton production… his last before passing away due to ill health at the age of only 46. Befitting of a film produced by the horror maestro, he final act has its share of suspenseful, atmospheric moments. Often, the titular drums pounded different rhythms in the background, reminding the viewer of the unseen yet ever-present threat. The final act elevated the film and rose above its B-movie origins. There’s also fine action beats and a few memorable supporting characters, especially the Welsh reverend portrayed by Arthur Shields. Like with George Sanders and Tom Conway, I was wondering why Shields and Barry Fitzgerald seemed so similar. A “duh” on my part… like w/ Sanders & Conway, Shields & Fitzgerald were brothers.
Regardless if this film inspired a 70’s B-movie classic, Apache Drums was an enjoyable Western. As mentioned by me before, the Western milieu can be used to incorporate many different genres & ideas. This includes variations of “a long intense attempted siege.” As has been for almost a full year as of now, a pristine print can be found on YouTube; the Technicolor and the cinematography makes it look grand.
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