The Drum (1938) - film review

At the height of the British Raj, trouble is brewing on the Northwest Frontier in India.  In an attempt to avoid a full-scale rebellion, the British governor signs a peace treaty with the ruler of Tokot, an area of great significance in the region.  The ink on the treaty is barely dry before the king of Tokot is slain, his throne usurped by his brother, Prince Ghul, who intends to ignite a bloody revolution against the British.  Ghul’s nephew, Prince Azim, is saved by his loyal followers and goes into hiding.  A second attempt on Azim’s life is thwarted by the wife of Carruthers, the British officer who commands the garrison in Tokot.   Anxious to stay on good terms with the new ruler of Tokot, Carruthers accepts an invitation to a banquet at the palace.  What he does not know is that Ghul intends to kill him and the party of soldiers who accompany him, to encourage the Indian rebels to rise up and overthrow the British...

The Drum was the second in a loose trilogy of films about the British Empire that were made by the Korda brothers, the others being Sanders of the River (1935) and The Four Feathers (1939).  The film helped to make a star of the 14-year old Sabu Dastagir, the impoverished orphan boy who had previously starred in the Kordas’ earlier film, Elephant Boy (1937).  The charismatic young actor would feature in several big budget British productions, such as The Thief of Bagdad (1940) and Jungle Book (1942), but would have difficulty making a career for himself in Hollywood subsequently.

Although slightly dated by its imperialistic stance, The Drum impresses with its stunning production values and exemplary performances.  As the calculating Prince Ghul, Raymond Massey exudes vile villainy as effortlessly as his co-stars Roger Livesey and Valerie Hobson radiate quintessential English charm.  The characterisation is, to modern eyes, slightly grotesque, carrying racist overtones which are now considered unacceptable, but the drama is so compelling, the action sequences so well realised that even this sin is forgiven.

© filmsdefrance.com 2009

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