Apache Drums

Apache Drums is a 1951 Technicolor American Western directed by Hugo Fregonese and produced by Val Lewton. The drama features Stephen McNally, Coleen Gray, and Willard Parker. The film was based on the novel Stand at Spanish Boot, by Harry Brown. Apache Drums was the last film Val Lewton produced before his death.

When the film was released The New York Times gave the film a mixed review and wrote, Apache Drums is tense and exciting fare when its green and redpainted Indians, yelping and keening, ride to attack or literally bite the dust with authentic thuds. When it is loquaciously appraising its principals, it is, to quote one of them, kind of dull and tame.Recently, film critic Dennis Schwartz reviewed the film favorably, writing, Its the kind of effective kickass B western where the cavalry comes in the nick of time to rescue the white folks from the attacking Indians. Director Hugo Fregonese Untamed Frontier gives a nod to Lewtons eye for detail and shadowy photography...David Chandler turns in a crisp screenplay thats always tense and filled with exciting action sequences except when he keeps things too chatty, which tamps down the narrative with a dull soap opera romantic feud...Pretty darn good stuff for such a modest western, showing that it takes all kinds to be brave and that the worst situation might bring out the best in a man. ........

Source: Wikipedia