Driven to desperation by hard times, Frank Walker (Lyle Bettger) and a party of miners decide to dig for gold in Ute Indian country despite a peace treaty that forbides trespassing on their land. Joining the group in spite of his fathers warning is Gary Brannon (Audie Murphy), who has no qualms about breaking the treaty since his mother was killed by the tribe. The miners actions soon incur the wrath of the Ute and Gary finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly situation that threatens to erupt into a bloody race war. Drums Across the River is distinguished by a cast of Western veterans such as Hugh OBrien, Jay Silverheels and four-time Academy Award nominated Best Supporting Actor Walter Brennan.