Drums Along the Mohawk

Drums Along the Mohawk is a 1939 American historical western drama film based upon a 1936 novel of the same name by American author Walter D. Edmonds. The film stars Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert, was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, and directed by John Ford.

Fonda and Colbert portray a couple who settle on the New York frontier during the American Revolutionary War and defend their farm from Loyalist and Native American attacks before the conflict ends and peace is restored.

Edmonds based the novel on a number of historic figures who lived in the valley. The film—Ford's first Technicolor feature—was well received. It became a major box-office success and was nominated for one Academy Award.

Lana Borst, the eldest daughter of a wealthy colonial family, marries Gilbert Martin. Together, they leave her family's luxurious home to embark on a frontier life on Gil's small Deerfield farm situated in the Mohawk Valley of Central New York. In July 1776, after the American Revolutionary War has broken out, the valley's settlers have formed a militia in anticipation of conflict, and Gil enlists in it.

As Gil and his neighbors are clearing land for farming, Blue Back, a friendly Oneida, arrives to warn them that a Seneca raiding party led by a Loyalist named Caldwell is in the valley. The settlers leave their farms and take refuge in nearby Fort Schuyler. Lana, who is pregnant, miscarries during the frantic ride to the fort. Martin's farm is destroyed by the raiding party. With no home and winter approaching, the Martins accept work on the farm of a wealthy widow, Mrs. McKlennar.

During a peaceful interlude, Mrs. McKlennar and the Martins prosper. Then, word comes that a large force of Loyalist troops and Native Americans are approaching the valley. The militia sets out westward to intercept the attackers, but their approach is badly timed and they are ambushed. Though the enemy force is eventually defeated at Oriskany, more than half of the militiamen are killed. Gil returns home, wounded and delirious, but slowly recovers. Lana is again pregnant and delivers a son.

Later, the Loyalists and Native Americans mount a major attack to take the valley, and the settlers again take refuge in the fort. Mrs. McKlennar is mortally wounded and ammunition runs short. Gil makes a heroic dash through enemy lines to secure help from nearby Fort Dayton. Reinforcements arrive just in time to beat back the attackers, who are about to overwhelm the fort. The militia pursues, harasses, and defeats the enemy, scattering them into the wilderness. The Mohawk Valley settlement is saved. Shortly afterward, a regiment arrives at the fort to announce that Lord Cornwallis has surrendered to George Washington at the siege of Yorktown and the war is over. The settlers look forward to their future in the new, independent United States.

Parts of the film were shot in Utah, specifically in Duck Creek, Strawberry Valley, Mirror Lake, Navajo Lake, Sidney Valley, and Cedar Breaks National Monument.