APACHE DRUMS (1951)
A gambler is told to leave town along with the 'dancing girls' as they are not welcome anymore. Out of town he comes across the stagecoach of the girls and discovers they have been killed by Apache. Racing back to town he tells that the Apache are on their way but no-one believes him. Later the stagecoach arrives back at the town riddled with arrows and they now know he was telling the truth.
The Apache kill a young man from the town and put the body down the well, polluting the water supply. A group from the town ride out to get water and are joined by a handful of Cavalry who help fight off the Apache who come charging at them.
The Apache attack the town and everyone takes refuge in the church in a last stand against them...
One name made me seek this film out. Val Lewton.
Lewton produced the great RKO horrors and I had heard his touches were to be seen in this film.
The film is very atmospheric. In one scene the gambler Sam is in the desert rocks alone. The music and camera angles give a real sense of foreboding.
The church siege has all the Lewton horror hallmarks. Apache appearing at open windows and dressed like devils as they jump down screaming from the high windows.
The whole of this church siege takes place in the last 25mins and we never move from there. It's dark and the drums beat outside suddenly changing tempo as the attack begins. All you can see through the high windows is the flicker of the town burning. Several other motives come in to play here such as religion between a priest and an Indian scout and the playfulness of Sam as he plays magic tricks for the crying children inside the church when they think that all hope is lost and to prepare for the worst. Adding to all this is a music score by horror Maestro Hans J. Salter.
A great little film which now resides along side Val Lewton's RKO gems.
