Watch A Thunder of Drums For Free

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Richard Boone can carry a movie and here he is a major treat to behold. His character is course, wise and clear with just about everything making you instantly pay attention to everything he says and does. That's good acting and he pulls it off. Lots of familiar faces in this movie and you get a glimpse of what it was like in the start-up years of America out West. This point of view gives us the raw frontier, Indians, calvary, dust, death and some soap opera thrown-in which I had some trouble with along with the strong points of violence and sexual overtones. It opens right to the point with a scene that everyone can identify with which has an impact and sets the tone for the movie. Not a perfect story being told but it does capture the attention of the viewer all the way to the end. Another nice point of view presented very well is the difference between class room education and real life experience. There is a scene that can be read two different ways with one way being entirely wrong. The point made is that you don't get second chances out here and being wrong is not allowed if you want to survive. This point is drilled into everyone courtesy of Boones character. Good life lesson. I usually recommend eating while watching a movie. Here, a light snack is recommended with a tasty drink. Note: how this remote outpost is in the middle of nowhere but contains unto itself a complete snapshot of all the elements of human nature. Also, be aware that this movie has moral points made but shown by breaking them instead of preventing them which is probably why movie-goers rejected this when it first came out. The movie audience probably said: too much too soon and this movie went into the background. Forward HOOOOO

Very fine western from the days when MGM ruled Hollywood. It was the premier studio in Hollywood with a great staff of technical professionals and a group of young contract players all of whom would reach stardom, some super stardom: George Peppard, Paula Prentiss, Richard Chamberlain, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, Linda Evans. Jim Hutton, Dolores Hart ( who would become a cloistered nun!) and Luana Patten. et al MGM also had the best and biggest back lot in the Industry and instead of making it a money making venture as Universal did with its back lot, MGM sold the back lot to real estate developers!George Hamilton and Luana Patten of the MGM stock company join Richard Boone in this great tough western. Richard Chamberlain has a small pivotal role but soon would become very famous as Dr. Kildare and reap in more fan mail per week -15,000 letters-than Clark Gable did at his peak at MGM! Richard Chamberlain for a few years was MGM's biggest star.See this movie and enjoy a scenic western with a fine cast.

A Thunder of Drums could have been a much better movie given the talent in the cast.Richard Boone plays the grizzled captain of a remote fort in the middle of nowhere. He has little to do other than snarl at the young lieutenants and lament over that lost promotion. Pretty boy George Hamilton is woefully miscast as the new officer on the block. And speaking of miscasting, Arthur O'Connell as the top sergeant is a long way from "Picnic".Charles Bronson appears as one of the soldiers who is either supposed to be comic relief or a slimey peeping Tom, we're never quite sure. The fight between Bronson and Hamilton is laughable considering the outcome.Others in the cast include the bland Luana Patten as the heroine, a young Richard Chamberlain as one of the officers and veteran Slim Pickens who was hardly seen after the opening sequence. And yes, not to forget Duane Eddy as a guitar strumming private. The best that can be said about Eddy is that as an actor he makes a fine musician.Most of the first 2/3 of the picture consists of the Boone character barking at his subordinates. The final third of the film contains most of the action and manages to salvage the picture.I think that for this film could have done with less talk and more action.

Indians attack settlers. Undermanned cavalry tracks Indians. Indians massacre cavalry. Cavalry massacres Indians.This lurid, routine programmer, would be entirely forgettable, except for two extraordinary performances. Richard Boone portrays the Cavalry Commander, with the kind dignity, sensitivity and intensity which only Richard Boone could give. Charles Bronson plays a dirty minded, foul mouthed, but surprisingly noble corporal. For these two performances alone, see the movie.