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Apache Drums On Television Again
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Not long watched Apache Drums which was discussed in the old forum.

Apart from what we know about the singing that takes place as the indians attack, I thought it wasn't bad, if overlooking the fact of it being a bit dated now.

Trapped in the gloom of the church with the indians entering through the windows, their war screams echoing around the building is really effective.

In my own view, I found the cavalry officer leading his troop of horsemen, when describing his knowledge of the indians - can run as fast as a horse, don't need much supplies, etc. - much in the 'Durnford' mould (if you see what I mean) as the description almost matches with the Zulus, which he knew well.

Yes it is an older film, but still not bad.

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Sheldon Hall


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 377
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"Older films" are often not bad, I find! Including "Zulu"...
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leightarrant


Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Posts: 131
Location: East Sussex
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Yes, You can't beat the ALAMO....Old films are the best, they have much character.[/i]
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Sheldon Hall


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 377
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To expand a bit and make my point clearer: "older" (or just "old") is a highly subjective term. People tend to measure the oldness of movies by their own lifespan. Hence, many of my students (especially the freshers) regard films of the 80s and even early 90s as old, pre-"Star Wars" ones as ancient and black-and-white ones as positively prehistoric! Of course, we spend three years trying to rid them of these prejudices... but to most young(er) people today, "Zulu" (released in 1964) is an "older" movie (in other words, older than the films they're used to, which isn't saying very much).

"Apache Drums" (1951) is only 13 years older than "Zulu" - and to put that in perspective, "Pulp Fiction" and "Forrest Gump" were released 13 years ago. Not very long ago, is it? For a film historian, even 1951 really isn't very old, considering that the first motion pictures date from the late nineteenth century: the earliest known film footage was taken in 1888, or less than a decade after the AZW! Now THAT'S old(er)...
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shearer


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Hartlepool
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well I have watched John Fords Iron Horse 1927, Cecil b Demilles 1923 ten commandments and D W Griffiths Intolerance 1916 how do your students veiw them movies Sheldon also seen film of Newcastle winning trophies only in black n white would love to see them win something in colour
Afilm that has something to say will always find an audience no matter how old
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Sheldon Hall


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 377
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Quite so! And as the director Peter Bogdanovich is fond of saying, if you haven't seen it, it's a new movie! "The Iron Horse" is one that we show often to our students. Like "Intolerance" and "The Ten Commandments", I've also had the privilege of seeing it with live musical accompaniment - and if you ever get the opportunity to see a silent film accompanied by a full orchestra, don't miss it!
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Shearer

But presumably still in black & white while winning in colour???

P.
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shearer


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Hartlepool
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i would n.t mind what colour they could have the away strip on the final games i have seen they have been very poor in black n white but the dream lives on
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margaret mcfarlane


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 28
Location: Derbyshire
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Dear Sheldon,
I know this is going to make me sound even more ancient but I remember seeing DW Griffith's 'Birth of a Nation' at the National Film Theatre in the late 60s with a piano accompaniment! It was brilliant and there was drama and humour in the music. The gentleman who played the piano (for nearly three hours if my memory is correct) came onto the stage at the end of the performance and was himself of an age where he had to be helped up. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
As to 'old films' my favourite (after Zulu of course) is James Stewart's 'Harvey' and I also love 'Destry Rides Again' - both black and white. But then I think I favour acting over special effects most of the time.
Best Wishes,
Margaret McFarlane
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Sheldon Hall


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 377
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Hi Margaret,
I'm happy to say that the NFT (now called BFI South Bank) and other specialised cinemas still occasionally show silent films with live piano accompaniment. There are a number of professional musicians who actually specialise in this type of performance: one of the best is Neil Brand, who was recently seen as a cinema pianist (typecasting!) in Ken Loach's film "The Wind That Shakes the Barley". He also appeared in Paul Merton's BBC TV series "Silent Clowns" and has scored several silent films for video release, including Hitchcock's "The Ring".
I couldn't agree more re. acting vs. special effects. Jimmy Stewart's performance style is strikingly modern: very understated and naturalistic. Students tend to like him very much (ditto Cary Grant).
Best, Sheldon
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Apache Drums On Television Again
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