A word like "lurid" just doesn't do justice to this low-grade movie. This is a sequel to 'Mandingo' (today's marketing geniuses would have simply called it 'Mandingo 2'), but it's not necessary (or advisable) in the least to have seen that film to understand this one. The makers of 'Drum' shamelessly exploit every racial/sexual myth and taboo they can think of. Any depiction of brutality against slaves is not designed to point out the evils of that institution, but is merely there to add salaciousness. The story takes place mostly on a plantation in New Orleans whose business is slave-breeding. The talk is almost all about fornication, miscegenation, castration, etc. Subtlety is not this movie's forte.
There are some normally good actors here, like Warren Oates, but he doesn't come off too well as the plantation master. Another fine actor, Yaphet Kotto, has a thankless task here as one of the "bucks." As for Ken Norton in the title role; well, as an actor he was a great heavyweight boxer. One might get a little kick out of Fiona Lewis' campy performance; or a fan of '70's drive-in flicks might be interested to note the presence of Rainbeaux Smith. That's not much, but that's all I can strain to think of to recommend this movie.
It's hard for me to understand what kind of audience this movie was intended for. Nowadays fans of trashy films will no doubt have a great howl over it. More sensitive souls may be appalled wondering what kind of amoral, cynical persons are responsible for turning out sleaze like this. The large group of people in the middle will just go on ignoring it. That's good.
There are some normally good actors here, like Warren Oates, but he doesn't come off too well as the plantation master. Another fine actor, Yaphet Kotto, has a thankless task here as one of the "bucks." As for Ken Norton in the title role; well, as an actor he was a great heavyweight boxer. One might get a little kick out of Fiona Lewis' campy performance; or a fan of '70's drive-in flicks might be interested to note the presence of Rainbeaux Smith. That's not much, but that's all I can strain to think of to recommend this movie.
It's hard for me to understand what kind of audience this movie was intended for. Nowadays fans of trashy films will no doubt have a great howl over it. More sensitive souls may be appalled wondering what kind of amoral, cynical persons are responsible for turning out sleaze like this. The large group of people in the middle will just go on ignoring it. That's good.