This film essentially takes place during the Second Seminole War with American troops becoming quite frustrated in their war against the Seminole tribes in Florida. Of particular concern is an old Spanish fort where it is believed the Seminoles are stockpiling arms and ammunition supplied by European gunrunners. So in order to resolve this problem the United States Navy sends a young officer named "Lieutenant Richard Tufts" (Richard Webb) with a boat to "General Zachary Taylor" (Robert Barrat) who plans to transport soldiers into the Everglades to destroy the fort and everything of value there. In command of this specific mission is an Army officer by the name of "Captain Quincy Wyatt" (Gary Cooper) who knows the area--and in particular the Seminole Indians--only too well. What he doesn't count on, however, is being encumbered by hostages held within the fort once he secretly penetrates the walls of the fort. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a pretty standard Western movie for its time with a rather routine by-the-numbers plot and mediocre acting by all concerned. One unique feature is the introduction of the famous "Wilhelm scream" sound effect probably vocalized by Sheb Wooley (as "Private Jessup") and subsequently used numerous times--with one of the most famous examples being by "Private Wilhelm" (Ralph Brooks) in the 1953 film "The Charge at Feather River." Be that as it may, I found this movie to be somewhat dated and predictable and I have rated it accordingly. Average.
Review of Distant Drums
