Alan Ladd stars as Johnny MacKay, a frontiersman who is sent to negotiate peace with the Modocs, a volatile Indian tribe. As MacKay meets with Chief Manok (Anthony Caruso) he must also act diplomatic with Manok's sister, Nancy Meek (Audrey Dalton), whom he had a childhood romance with. Peace... [More]

Alan Ladd stars as Johnny MacKay, a frontiersman who is sent to negotiate peace with the Modocs, a volatile Indian tribe. As MacKay meets with Chief Manok (Anthony Caruso) he must also act diplomatic with Manok's sister, Nancy Meek (Audrey Dalton), whom he had a childhood romance with. Peace seems evident, however, the jealous renegade Modoc, Captain Jack (Charles Bronson) sabotages the treaty, and sets a death trap for MacKay. Based on true events, DRUM BEAT is an over-the-top Western thriller. Director Delmer Daves is a master storyteller. Having previously cut his teeth on such rollercoasters films as A DARK PASSAGE and KINGS GO FORTH, Daves lets the pyschodramatic cannons loose with DRUM BEAT. Charles Bronson gives a chilling performance as the spooky Captain Jack. [Less]