Is The Drum Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Drum is likely a skip if you enjoy Adventure movies.
It features a runtime of 104 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Drum Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1938, The Drum emerges as a significant entry in the Adventure, War domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Set in the India of the British Raj, the evil and untrustworthy Prince Guhl (Raymond Massey) plans to wipe out the British troops as they enjoy the hospitality of Guhl's spacious palace. Unlike standard genre fare, The Drum attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Drum features a noteworthy lineup led by Sabu . Supported by the likes of Raymond Massey and Valerie Hobson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Drum (1938) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Drum Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Drum is a Adventure, War film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Drum Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Drum attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to adventure resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the adventure themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Drum reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Drum Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Drum uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a adventure, war film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Drum adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Drum?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Adventure films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of The Drum
- Sabu – Prince Azim
- Raymond Massey – Prince Ghul
- Valerie Hobson – Mrs. Carruthers
- Roger Livesey – Capt. Carruthers
- David Tree – Lieut. Escott
Top Highlights
SabuPrince Azim
Raymond MasseyPrince Ghul
Valerie HobsonMrs. Carruthers
Roger LiveseyCapt. Carruthers
David TreeLieut. Escott
Desmond TesterBill Holder
Francis L. SullivanGovernor
Archibald BattyMajor Bond
Frederick CulleyDr.Murphy
Amid TaftazaniMohammed Khan
Where to Watch The Drum Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Criterion ChannelParents Guide & Age Rating
The Drum has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Adventure, War), it contains violence, action sequences.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, The Drum stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1938 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Drum movie hit or flop?
The Drum has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Drum worth watching?
The Drum is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, War movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Drum online?
The Drum is currently available for streaming on Criterion Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Criterion Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for The Drum
There's a bit of Rudyard Kipling to this quite colourful story from Zoltan Korda telling of the ruthless "Ghul" (Raymond Massey) who usurps his brother after he makes a treaty with the British. Luckily, the heir "Azim" (Sabu) manages to escape the coup and make his way to "Capt. Carruthers" (Roger Livesey) who is to return to "Tokot" as an emissary but who might well be walking into a deadly trap designed to show the other mountain kingdoms that the Raj was not so invincible as they all thought. Can the young Prince get a warning to his friend in time to thwart disaster? Sabu holds this together quite enthusiastically, with Massey also effective as the menacing baddie who would steal his kingdom. Livesey is just a little too stiff as is Valerie Hobson as his altogether too prim wife and the writing is a little staccato but there's plenty of adventure and intrigue as the story races along entertainingly, if predictably. The production is almost lavish at times and there's some gorgeous location photography and even a game of polo to add a bit of richness to a lively tale of derring-do. It's not an history and like so many tales of the British "benevolence" in princely India takes a slightly rose-tinted view of the history, but it's still an enjoyable watch.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
