Distant Drums facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Distant Drums |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Raoul Walsh |
| Produced by | Milton Sperling |
| Written by | Niven Busch Martin Rackin |
| Starring | Gary Cooper Richard Webb Mari Aldon Arthur Hunnicutt<brCarl Harbaugh |
| Music by | Max Steiner |
| Cinematography | Sidney Hickox |
| Editing by | Folmar Blangsted |
| Studio | United States Pictures |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | December 29, 1951 (United States) |
| Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $2.85 million (US rentals) |
Distant Drums is a 1951 American adventure film. It was directed by Raoul Walsh and stars Gary Cooper. The movie is set in the 1840s during the Second Seminole War in Florida. Gary Cooper plays an Army captain who leads a mission. His goal is to destroy a fort used by Spanish gunrunners. These gunrunners were helping the Seminole people. After the mission, the captain and his team are chased through the Everglades.
The film used the real Castillo de San Marcos fort in St. Augustine, Florida. Much of the movie was filmed in Florida. "Distant Drums" is famous for being the first movie to use the "Wilhelm scream." This is a well-known sound effect. It's heard when a character is attacked by an alligator. The sound is believed to have been voiced by actor Sheb Wooley.
What the Movie is About
The story takes place in 1840 during the Second Seminole War. This was a conflict in Florida. U.S. Army General Zachary Taylor sends two soldiers on a special mission. They are Lieutenant Tufts and scout Monk. Their job is to find Captain Quincy Wyatt. He lives alone on a remote island in Florida with his young son.
The soldiers need Captain Wyatt's help. They must destroy an "old Spanish fort." This fort is being used by Spanish gunrunners. These gunrunners are selling weapons to the Seminoles. Captain Wyatt agrees to lead a small group of soldiers.
Captain Wyatt and his men successfully destroy the fort. They also rescue some prisoners held there. One of the prisoners is a woman named Judy Beckett. She starts to like Captain Wyatt. The group then has to escape. A large group of Seminoles chases them through the Everglades.
The journey is very hard. Some soldiers are killed. One soldier is attacked by an alligator. This is when the famous "Wilhelm scream" is first heard. Captain Wyatt leads the remaining survivors to his home. He is shocked to find his house burned down. His son is missing.
Soon, the Seminoles arrive nearby. Wyatt challenges their chief, Ocala, to a fight. They fight underwater. Wyatt defeats Ocala, and the Seminoles leave. Later, Wyatt discovers his son was taken to safety before the attack. They are happily reunited.
Main Actors
- Gary Cooper as Captain Quincy Wyatt
- Richard Webb as Lieutenant Tufts
- Mari Aldon as Judy Beckett
- Arthur Hunnicutt as Monk
- Carl Harbaugh as Duprez
- Ray Teal as Private Mohair
- Robert Barrat as General Zachary Taylor
- Bob Burns as Indian Boy (uncredited)
- Larry Carper as Chief Ocala (uncredited)
- Sheb Wooley as Private Jessup (uncredited)
See also
In Spanish: Tambores lejanos para niños
