Leofwine_draca A quiet and sensitive look at the slave trade in southern USA in the 19th century this isn't! Instead, DRUM is a no-frills exploitation movie, a film whose sole purpose is to captivate, shock, titillate and outrage its audience. Conceived as a follow-up to MANDINGO, and featuring a few of the same actors, this is a surprisingly entertaining movie albeit one that isn't for the easily offended. Made back in the 1970s, long before political correctness became the norm, this film throws casual racism around willy-nilly and uses the 'n' word at least once every few minutes. On top of that, it strongly focuses on the sex and violence that were the staples of '70s drive-in cinema, so we get lots and lots of nudity, sexual situations, and violent fight scenes.Ken Norton is the principal actor, a tough and hulking hero. Many have condemned his restrained turn but I actually found him thoroughly convincing in the role. He's ably supported by some EXCELLENT performances from the other cast members, in particular Warren Oates, veering on the edge of ham as the sex-mad slave owner; Pam Grier, in a minor role as a pretty servant; John Colicos as an absolutely dastardly Frenchman; Fiona Lewis as a titillating bit of skirt and, best of all, Yaphet Kotto as an incendiary slave who eventually leads a result. Kotto steals every scene, just as he did in many other films he appeared in. He really is top-notch when it comes to giving great performances.This film has a short running time and plenty of action along the way. Norton engages in a couple of brutal battles, including one fantastic bout against a knife-wielding thug which is worth watching the film for alone. Best of all, though, is the film's detailing of all the hypocrisy and simmering violence that went hand in hand with the slave trade. DRUM pulls no punches in depicting mankind's inhumanity to man, and it isn't for the squeamish either. Colicos' eventual comeuppance is a thoroughly nasty moment that nevertheless had me cheering for its downright bravery.The best part of the film is the fiery climax, for which most of the budget is saved. It's large-scale, riotous and utterly exciting, really bringing to a head all of the tensions that were building up beforehand. I can't fault it. This excellent ending rounds off a film which provides entertainment from beginning to end: a true '70s movie that captures the concerns of that decade. They don't make them like this anymore, and to be honest, I'm glad of it: but there's no denying that DRUM is a film that belies its exploitation roots. It's a very good film indeed.

rosscinema This was the so-called sequel to "Mandingo" and its not really a sequel but another excuse for exploitation which can be fun to watch. Ken Norton is "Drum" and he can't act to save his life but his physique is so impressive and also the fact that he was a famous boxer that had beaten Muhammad Ali gives the viewer some curiosity to watch him. Warren Oates plays Hammond Maxwell and Perry King played him in the first film and its impossible for him to play it but thats only if you use logic. Oates does add some respectable acting to the film and he chews up the scenery with gusto. Oates says lines like, "My bucks got to have intercourse, the saps a risen'". Pam Grier is Regina and she's Oates bed wench. Grier has a topless scene but has very little else to do in this film. Her part is very underwritten. Yaphet Kotto is Blaise and he gives probably the best performance. I'm not sure if Kotto did this film for the money but if he didn't, he should have known better. He does his best to portray an angry slave who talks of freedom in his heart. "B" movie icon Rainbeaux Smith plays Oates daughter Sophie and she has the hots for the bucks and if they don't cooperate then she screams rape. Smith is enjoyably bratty in this role and its the type of role she spent most of her career playing. She always brought that something extra to a role. Film is shameless in its subject matter. It has gays, lesbianism, naked prostitutes, spankings, fights, slave upheaval, and of course all the actress's get undressed. "Drum" was produced by Dino De Laurentiis and its another cheesy production from him. What can you expect from a man who dared to remake "King Kong"? If you loved this on an exploitation level, I couldn't argue with you. Its hilariously bad.

Infofreak 'Drum' is the kinda sorta sequel to 'Mandingo', a movie that tried to walk a fine line between being a "serious" drama and a silly but fun exploitation movie. The director this time around is Steve Carver who made the trash classics 'Big Bad Mama' and 'The Arena', and he doesn't even attempt to disguise the Drive-In feel of this one. Ken Norton once again stars but plays a different character than in 'Mandingo'. Warren Oates plays Hammond Maxwell who Perry King played in the first movie. The idea that they are the same man is totally ridiculous and unbelievable, but once you can get over that hurdle you are in for a good time. Oates is outrageously amusing but without resorting to the hamminess that James Mason brought to 'Mandingo'. He is simply a joy to watch, as an uncouth but charming slave owner, and is the number one reason to hunt down this movie. Oates terrific performance more than makes up for Norton's dull turn. Also very good is Yaphet Kotto ('Blue Collar') as Drum's friend turned enemy Blaise, also one of Oates' slaves. Kotto is excellent (as usual) and it's a pity he wasn't the star instead of Norton. Fiona King ('The Fury') plays Oates' wife to be and is entertaining, as is Rainbeaux Smith ('Caged Heat') as Oates slutty daughter (a similar role to Susan George's in 'Mandingo' but much more enjoyable). Also noteworthy is John Colicos ('The Postman Always Rings Twice') as a very evil and camp slave owner who vows to kill Drum who spurns his salacious advances. The impressive cast also includes blaxploitation legend Pam Grier ('Black Mama, White Mama') who sadly doesn't have all that much screen time, and Oates 'Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia' co-star Isela Vega, who doesn't have much more. 'Drum' is pure exploitative trash and proud of it. If you take it in that spirit and not as a serious study of racism in 19th century America you'll enjoy it immensely. Especially when watching Warren Oates in one of his most enjoyable and underrated performances. This movie is essential viewing for all Oates fans.

EL BUNCHO For those who don't know: MANDINGO and DRUM are both adaptations of books from the Falconhurst plantation series of novels by Kyle Onstott and, later, Lance Horner. There were several books in the series; thus far I've run across about five or six of them!DISCLAIMER: let me state right now that I am black and can totally understand how people are easily offended by these films. The thing is these films feature such sheer, unadulterated exploitation and overripe acting/dialogue that hardcore bad movie addicts will have a hard time NOT finding these films majorly entertaining! I flat-out admit that both MANDINGO and DRUM are among my favorite guilty pleasures, and I view them both as what would happen if John Waters could have gotten away with making a really sleazy soap opera set on a plantation. Some of the dialogue is so ridiculous that it's nearly impossible for me to take these films seriously at all, although the rape and torture does bring one back to the wretchedness of the situation.Anyway, I don't know where those of you who claim that DRUM is not a sequel to MANDINGO got that idea. Warren Oates is playing the same character that Perry King did in the first film, only this story takes place about fifteen years later. He even makes veilled references to what happened at the end of MANDINGO, specifically the fates of Ken Norton and Susan George. In other words, PAY ATTENTION! And if you think this is exploitativve, go back and watch the uncut version of ROOTS again. Sure it's more "legit" than MANDINGO and DRUM, but it is every bit the exploitative soap opera that they are. For the real flavor and excellence of ROOTS, read the book.