DRUMS IN THE DEEP SOUTH

US, 1951, 87 minutes, Colour.
James Craig, Barbara Payton, Guy Madison, Barton Mac Lane, Robert Easton, Craig Stevens.
Directed by William Cameron Menzies.

This is a Civil War drama, focusing especially on protagonists in the South but, ultimately, showing the victory of the North.

The director was William Cameron Menzies, who served in World War I, returned to Hollywood and excelled in special effects and production design, winning the first Oscar for this with The Dove in 1928. He also worked on the design of Gone with the Wind. He was less successful with his feature films although he made Things to Come, based on H.G. Welles novel.

The film is from RKO, a small-budget featuring James Craig, veteran from the past, Barbara Payton, the ill-fated starlet and up-and-coming Guy Madison.

1. The popularity of films about the Civil War? The perspective from the South? From the North? Ultimate defeat of the South, the victory of the North?

2. The work of the director, as director, as production design, the lavish design of this film? Dimitry Tiomkin and his musical score?

3. The locations, the Southern mansions the military exchanges, the Devil’s Mountain, interiors, the top, the canons, firing on the train, the final explosion?

4. The introduction to Catherine, her husband, business interests, her marriage, the past relationship with Clay? Lifestyle, the old uncle, his memories the cotton plantations and the Blacks’ presence?

5. Clay and Will and the visit, the discussions, business plans? The outbreak of the war? Clay from the South, Will from the North, commissions, both from West Point?

6. The collage of the battles over the years? 1864, Sherman and his March through Georgia? The need for supplies, ammunition?

7. Catherine, at home, the occupation, spying, using the sun’s reflection with mirrors, the soldier from the north and the picture of his family, the uncle, the shooting, Catherine wanting to write to his wife after seeing the photo?

8. Clay, in command, the troop, wanting to stop Sherman? The passage within the mountain, the engineering to get canons to the top? Firing on the supply trains? Success? The North keeping the trains out of range, the need for wire, Catherine taking the piano wire, the success?

9. Will, his arrival, the relationship with Catherine, allowing her to stay, his anger at her taking the piano wire, keeping a prisoner?

10. The Yankees getting inside the mountain, the final stances? Time running out, Catherine going to persuade them to surrender, her being shot, Clay urging the men to surrender, Will waiting extra minutes, the blast in the mountain, the death of Clay and Catherine?

11. The final words of the film about the forging of the unity for the United states?