Drums along the Mohawk, A review John Ford (1939) By Azadeh Ghahghaei Institute for North American and European Studies, University of Tehran Having a review over the historical films in American cinema, one can see that several films have been made portraying the crucial periods in American history.
American Civil War and American Revolution constitute important part of this history.
Among the films that are historically important is Drums along the Mohawk directed by John Ford in 1939.
John Ford directed three films in 1939; Stagecoach, Young Mr.
Lincoln and Drums along the Mohawk and Drums along the Mohawk was one of the most successful ones as it was Ford's first color film.
This film was written by Lamar Trotti, Sonya Levien based on a novel of its kind.
It is categorized differently by different Movie data bases as Adventure, War, drama, Western and Action.
It was nominated for two Academic awards including Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography.
John Ford's great depiction of American Revolution in the film starts with a scene of a newly-wed couple, Gilbert martin and Lana, being married in the church and saying goodbye to their families.
They left the life and comfort in Albany and headed for Ohio where they would have been supposed to deal with a harsh life.
They moved to their cabin in Mohawk valley while it was a great change for Lana as her surrounding in her own house was gentler and her new life with Gil needs a harsh physical work.
Lana accustoms herself well with the situation and soon gives Gil a hand in their farming.
Their cabin is located in a valley that is attacked by British, Tories and the Indians being seduced by Tories.
Several raids by Indians burn their farmhouse in the first days of their life.
Gil and Lana along with other happy settlers of the valley are forced to move to fort where they could see Indians waste their farms and cabins.
Feeling anxious Lana lost a baby that she had on the way.
A seeming angry but kind widow, Mrs.
McKlennar, shelters Gil and Lana in return she uses Gil as a field hand.
Hard life in frontier teaches Lana to be strong and adapt to any unpredictable situation, moreover, she gives birth to a baby that brings happiness for a while to their home.
Gilbert joins the militia fighting with both Indians and British according to General Washington's order.
He returns wounded and earns a good harvest in Mrs.
McKlennar's farm but smooth life does not last long as Indians once again attack them but this time they raid the widow's cabin and burn her farm.
A lot of savage war happen between two sides of the front and finally with the help of all force Americans win and declare their independence from Britain by rising the flag of he American Union.
As mentioned above, John Ford was the director of the Movie who is "one of the greatest American directors who made a name as director of Westerns".
Out of 125 movies and TV shows that he directed 65 were Westerns.
Among the characters of the movie, three are more dominant; namely Gilbert Martin by Henry Fonda, Lana Borst Martin by Claudette Colbert and last but not the least was Mrs.
McKlennar played by Edna may Oliver.
Oliver was nominated for an Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress playing this role.
The art of the artists enables Ford to "demonstrate heroism and the rugged individual".
Gil and Lana greatly symbolize the warm supporting family environment in America at that time.
There are various themes that can be discussed here about the movies but the leading theme of the movie was the force of religion.
White Anglo-Saxon Protestant emigrating from Britain carries a religious prophecy; they have Christianized Indians, tamed them and taught then how to behave.
Through the film, in many occasions Americans call each other Christians, that means they are more identified with their religion rather that their ethnicity or family background.
In one scene when Gil and Lana for the first time entered their cabin, the only Indian living with them called Gil "Good Christian".
Church as a symbol of religiosity plays a very important role in the film.
People love to attend church and pray.
More interestingly is that even the political issues like war and general Washington orders are all announced by the priest.
One of the issues that come along this religious responsibility by Americans is the depiction of Indians as savage, unskilled and Lunatics.
During the fights and war scenes, one could see just Indians fighting, killing, burning and murdering.
Lana entering her cabin is unusually frightened by the sight of an Indian.
Indians treat an old lady wildly and burn her house, Indians think one could tame his husband by a stick, Indians can be bribed easily, Indians can not acquire Language well and finally Indians are half-naked, all of these generate a meaning toward Indians.
There is no information represented about Indians except their involvement with British.
"To be fair to Ford, his interest in the film is not in the particulars of history, especially cultural history.
He's interested in the character of the people he saw as those who engendered the United States as a country.
Still, I think this aspect is a failing in the film.
It's a little too one-sided.
" Through this film, a moral humanity has been labeled to Whites.
Interestingly enough in the movie no White, whether British or American, were dealt with crime, murder or savagery.
Another racial group that can be discussed are Blacks with their very minor role in the movies.
There are few places that Blacks can be observed; as a soldier, slave and a maiden in Mrs.
McKlennar's house working as a servant.
Self- sacrifice and heroism were bolded in the deep layers of the movie.
Lana's character reminds every viewers of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind; the happy, well-born girl in a well-off family that struggles in life and work and sacrifices herself.
Lana along the story learns to adapt herself to the difficult new environment.
Lana gradually get pride and enjoyment in harvesting crops, she asks her husband to go to war, she cure her husband's wound kindly when he is back from the battle.
Generally, the role women play in this movie was great, especially Lana and Mrs.
McKlennar.
Women fight with Indians along with their husbands and help them to prepare farms.
Beyond major issues that are discussed, there come minor elements of American identity in the movie.
Americans will not tolerate being oppressed by other countries specifically by British and if it happens again like the Fascism or Nazism in Europe, Americans will once again stand up and claim their freedom.
The American character of optimism was injected in to the movie, even its setting.
Most of the scenes were bright and it conveys a sense of hope to future; once Gil asks Lana not to look back and be hopeful to tomorrow.
The concept of flag as an important element of American identity was the ending message of the film; the love and respect they give to their flag is shown properly.
It is necessary to mention that American flag was raised in the height and not on the ground.
To conclude the discussion of these movies, I have to mention that American sense of exceptionalism as the superior being in well presented in the film both in terms of religion and morality.
Misrepresentation or less-representation of other minority groups proves this claim.