What's new

Blu-ray Review Distant Drums Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

Timothy E

Reviewer
Joined
Jul 20, 2007
Messages
1,514
Real Name
Timothy Ewanyshyn
Distant Drums Blu-ray Review

Which was the first film to use the Wilhelm scream as a sound effect? Although attributed in the past to The Charge at Feather River(1953), and the sound effect is actually named after the character of Private Wilhelm in that film, Distant Drums is the first film known to use this stock sound effect. Sheb Wooley(Rawhide, The Purple People Eater) is believed to be the originator of this sound effect that has been used in countless films, after recording these screams for his uncredited character in Distant Drums of Private Jessup. The sound effect was reused in many western films in the 1950s. Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt rediscovered the sound effect of a "man being eaten by an alligator" and used it in Star Wars and in many films since, as have Peter Jackson and Quentin Tarantino. Burtt named the sound effect the Wilhelm scream as it is used in The Charge at Feather River for the death of Private Wilhelm in that film.

Posted Image


Studio: Paramount

Distributed By: Olive

Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Audio: English 1.0 DTS-HDMA (Mono)

Subtitles: None

Rating: Not Rated

Run Time: 1 Hr. 41 Min.

Package Includes: Blu-ray

Amaray

Disc Type:

Region: A

Release Date: 09/23/2014

MSRP: $29.95




The Production Rating: 3.5/5

Distant Drums is a Western having Florida of 1840 as its setting, which may make it a "Southeastern" rather than a Western. Immediately before creating his role as Marshal Will Kane in High Noon(1952), Gary Cooper played Army captain Quincy Wyatt in Distant Drums. Captain Wyatt is a guide enlisted to help a squad of U.S. Army soldiers locate and destroy a Spanish fort in the Everglades being used by gunrunners. Richard Webb(Out of the Past) plays Lt. Tufts and the role of Monk the scout is played by Arthur Hunnicutt(The Lusty Men, The Big Sky). Love interest is provided by Mari Aldon(The Barefoot Contessa, Summertime) as Judy Beckett, a woman rescued from the gunrunners. Another familiar face is Ray Teal(Bonanza), who plays Private Mohair. Keep an eye open for Darren McGavin(Mike Hammer, Kolchak The Night Stalker) in an uncredited role.Spoiler alert, the squad of soldiers succeeds in taking the fort and destroying it, but then is surrounded by Seminoles, and the soldiers must make their way back to base through miles of enemy territory. Raoul Walsh(The Big Trail, White Heat) directed Distant Drums from a script by Niven Busch(Belle Starr, The Moonlighter). Although Distant Drums does not exactly reinvent the genre, it has some nice moments, like this exchange of dialogue following the discovery of burial mounds:Captain Wyatt: An interesting thing about the way the Seminoles bury their warriors. They sit 'em up and put war paint on 'em, set a bowl of fresh food alongside of 'em and then stick their favorite weapon in their hands, and then they cover 'em up. With a great chief like that over yonder, they throw in the first newborn child to be born after he died.Lt. Tufts: Why do they do a thing like that for?Captain Wyatt: Well, they believe when a man dies, his spirit leaves the body and enters that of the first newborn. And in regarding a chief that high like that, they don't want the spirit to be passed on down to somebody that ain't fit to carry it.Another moment has Gary Cooper doing what Gary Cooper did best, after we learn that his Captain Wyatt had his Seminole wife killed by soldiers, and he is questioned why he still helps the Army after that experience: "You know, you can't go through life trying to get even. You know, you can't carry a grudge forever."Distant Drums benefits substantially by its location filming in Everglades National Park and its use of an authentic Spanish fort, which elevates it above your typical backlot Western. The cinematography by Sidney Hickox(The Big Sleep, Them!) makes extensive use of actors approaching the camera and use of foreground and background for dramatic effect. The score composed by Max Steiner(Gone With The Wind, Casablanca) enhances dramatic moments and creates a suspenseful mood as the soldiers struggle for their lives in returning to base. The quality of talent in front of the camera, and behind it, may not transform Distant Drums into a masterpiece, but it is a quality programmer and worth checking out as a film that stands up well to repeated viewings.Distant Drums was distributed originally by Warner Brothers, and has the Warner shield logo at the beginning and end to prove it. This film is one of a handful of films made by United States Pictures that has changed ownership to Paramount, which in turn has licensed it to Olive Films for this release. The film elements are apparently in excellent condition, as discussed in greater detail below regarding video quality.


Video Rating: 4/5 3D Rating: NA

Distant Drums appears on Blu-ray in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio in the AVC codec. This Technicolor production is reproduced in an outstanding manner on Blu-ray. The vibrant colors are true to the appearance of 3 strip Technicolor with none of the registration errors that often plague these films. The faded colors on the packaging would lead one to believe that this is a black and white production, and makes the Technicolor imagery on display all the more impressive.Fine detail is excellent with solid blacks, and film grain is evident in a way that enhances detail rather than obscuring it. The result is a visual wonder in which it appears that every leaf on every piece of shrubbery in the Florida Everglades is reproduced with crystal clear detail rather than as an amorphous blob of color. The only real flaw is evident at the 93 minute mark when some color fading is briefly evident on the left side of the screen. There is some minus density, which is extremely minimal, and evident in motion only if one is really looking for it, since it is otherwise imperceptible.This transfer is sublime. This may be surprising to those who have seen Gary Cooper's other United States Pictures production licensed by Olive, also released originally by Warner Brothers, The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell. While the transfer of that film was not all that could be hoped for, Distant Drums is close to perfection in its video presentation on this Blu-ray disc.



Audio Rating: 4/5

The English DTS-HD mono audio is almost perfect for a mono audio presentation. There is only one brief moment in the entire film when there is some minor hiss evident. The dialogue is always audible and clear, and there is no fluctuation in volume or other defects apparent. The film score by Max Steiner is given an impression of high fidelity, with its richness of sound that seems to approach stereo without actually being so.


Special Features Rating: 0/5

There are no special features on this edition.


Overall Rating: 4/5

Distant Drums on Blu-ray is a welcome addition to the growing list of Technicolor productions now available in 1080p video. As Westerns go, Distant Drums is a worthwhile "A" picture, even if it is not one of the most outstanding examples in its genre. Indeed, Distant Drums is more notable historically for its use of the Wilhelm scream than for any other reason. The video presentation is exceptional, and close to perfection but for minor flaws. Number scores are subjective anyway, and this would have received a 4.5 out of 5, rather than a 4, were it not for the (very) brief fading of color apparent in a short sequence in what would be the final reel of the film. The audio presentation is also excellent for mono audio. Although there are no special features on this edition, Distant Drums on Blu-ray is highly recommended to fans of Gary Cooper, Westerns, and Technicolor reproduced in High Definition.


Reviewed By: Timothy E


Support HTF when you buy this title:

 

JoHud

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
3,215
Real Name
Joe Hudak
I have to say, the very good Technicolor transfer (possibly one of Olive's very best) plus the very well-done on location shooting made this a very stunning film to look at. It really did feel like you were watching men survive out in the everglades. They even used live animals as often as they could--the alligators were almost always there on the shooting set instead of relying on stock footage or fake props. As a result the gators looked outstanding.

In a visual sense this beats out Universal's more B-movie Technicolor effort on similar subject matter shortly afterward, Seminole.
 

Alan Tully

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
4,615
Location
London
Real Name
Alan
Yup, great western (& great Max Steiner score), but very expensive & region A locked. Olive aren't making things easy for themselves.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,710
Messages
5,121,094
Members
144,146
Latest member
SaladinNagasawa
Recent bookmarks
0
Top