THE DRUM
UK, 1938, 96 minutes, Colour.
Sabu, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey, Valerie Hobson, Desmond Tester, David Tree, Francis L. Sullivan.
Directed by Zoltan Korda.
The Drum is an entertaining action adventure of the British Empire, set in India before partition. It was filmed in Wales, standing in for India - with some authentic location shots as background. It was an early Technicolor film from London Films under the supervision of Sir Alexander Korda. It was directed by his brother Zoltan Korda, who made such films at this time as The Four Feathers, The Jungle Book.
Roger Livesey gives a stiff upper lip performance as the hero, Valerie Hobson the heroine. Raymond Massey is the villain and Francis L. Sullivan is the governor. The focus is on Sabu as a young Indian prince.
The film has the atmosphere of India, captured in such films as Gunga Din. However, the setting is more contemporary, the '30s - and the treatment somewhat Boys' Own adventure story. However, it is one of those rattling adventure films.
1. Entertaining action adventure? India before partition? The end of empire? The '30s?
2. The colour photography, the atmosphere of India and the Himalayas? Wales substituting for India? The locations, the action sequences, the Indian towns, the palaces? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Prince Azim, his learning to play the drum from the Scottish drummer boy? The timely warning on the drum before the intended massacre?
4. The focus on India and empire? The presence of the British? The local tribes? Coexistence, antagonisms? The power politics, within the Indian families? Jealousies, violence? The diplomacy of England? The troops and battles?
5. Prince Azim, his place on the throne, the assassination of his father? His sinister uncle? His relationship with the British, with Carruthers? Loyalties? His friendship with the drummer boy? His uncle usurping the throne, his escape, his disguise? His going to the British? His going back, his uncle wanting to kill him? The plan of the massacre - and his return, not believed by the governor, helping his friends, playing the drum in warning? His assuming the throne - and his (now seemingly odd) expressions of loyalty to his British friends?
6. Carruthers, the undercover agent, disguised as an Indian, contacts in the marketplace? The British contacts within the Indian communities? His return to base, report to the governor? His relationship with Marjorie, their engagement? The dangers in the north, his return, Marjorie going with him? The friendship with Prince Azim? The sequences with the drummer boy? The negotiations, Azim's uncle and his advisers? Knowing the difficulties, facing the difficulties? Diplomacy, going to the banquet, the days of celebration? The possibility of the massacre - the warning, the final fighting and restoration of Azim to the throne? Marjorie, her strong support, going with her husband? Her saving Prince Azim, his loyalty and gratitude to her?
7. The sinister uncle, his advices, the assassinations? Power struggles? Holding court, his wanting his nephew's death, plans? Diplomacy, deception? The feast, the intended massacre? The final confrontation and his death?
8. The governor, the difficulties of the position in India? His secret service? Relationship with Marjorie? Prince Azim and his advice, doubting whether to believe it or not? The confirmation of the advice? The troops marching north?
9. The picture of the British troops in India, their work amongst themselves, friendships, the drummer boy? The clash with the prince - and discovering he was a prince? Teaching him to play the drum? The soldiers, barracks, barrack life, marching north? Fighting?
10. The action sequences, the battles in the hills? Ambushes, strategies? The set-up in the palace, the machine guns - and the final fight during the feast?
11. Popular Boys' Own adventure tales from the British Empire?
