Consider the facts: Young Indian prince must go into hiding when his nefarious uncle murders his father to take over the throne. Protecting the English (replacing the silly wart-hog and meerkat), the prince tries to reclaim his destiny and bring liberation to the people while warning the British of the danger to themselves.
Lavishly produced and crowd-pleasing, "Drums features" superb performances by Raymond Massey as the villainous uncle and Sabu as the charming boy meant to be king. Sabu's non-acting is completely winning, and his friendship with British drummer Desmond Tester endearing as a vision of peace between different cultures. A fine British cast supports Sabu, with Valarie Hobson and Roger Livesay likable heroes out to protect the young prince.
Certainly made as a valentine to the British rule of India and to show the reign of the English in a favorable light, this might not serve to tell all of the truth about the British infiltration on the people of India. As entertainment, it certainly strives to present a favorable view of one side of the story, if not exactly presenting an opposite point of view. Historically, it may ring a few falsehoods to those who have studied the history of this time in Indian history. The viewer will have to take it upon themselves to make up their own mind of what is close to fact and what is more fantasy, or at least, propaganda.
Lavishly produced and crowd-pleasing, "Drums features" superb performances by Raymond Massey as the villainous uncle and Sabu as the charming boy meant to be king. Sabu's non-acting is completely winning, and his friendship with British drummer Desmond Tester endearing as a vision of peace between different cultures. A fine British cast supports Sabu, with Valarie Hobson and Roger Livesay likable heroes out to protect the young prince.
Certainly made as a valentine to the British rule of India and to show the reign of the English in a favorable light, this might not serve to tell all of the truth about the British infiltration on the people of India. As entertainment, it certainly strives to present a favorable view of one side of the story, if not exactly presenting an opposite point of view. Historically, it may ring a few falsehoods to those who have studied the history of this time in Indian history. The viewer will have to take it upon themselves to make up their own mind of what is close to fact and what is more fantasy, or at least, propaganda.