The Drum is an opulent Technicolor "British India" epic, based on a story by A.E.W. Mason (of
Four Feathers fame). Teenaged actor
Sabu stars as a young East Indian prince educated in England. By rights, his loyalties should lie with his countrymen, but in typical "Sun Never Sets" fashion most of the other Indian characters are as evil and untrustworthy as Prince Guhl (
Raymond Massey). Guhl plans a revolt against the British, intending to wipe out the Royal troops as the English officers enjoy the hospitality of Guhl's spacious palace. It's up to Sabu to warn the troops of Guhl's treachery by means of tapping out a message on the drum of the title. In the US, The Drum was released as
Drums, on the theory (according to film historian Alan Barbour) that Americans must have more of everything. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide