Drummer Boy movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: Drummer Boy

The newest inspirational film by Angel Studios is now playing in theaters!

RATING: PG-13 (for war violence and some bloody images)

LENGTH: 2 hours 7 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

Featured Product About This Movie:

The brothers of KING + COUNTRY wrote and produced this film!

They also created this album during the 2024 holiday season with a live recording of their beloved Christmas show.

You can purchase or watch it on Amazon at https://link.amazon/B0hkHCZKW

IN A NUTSHELL:

Directed by Ben and Joel David Smallbone from King and Country, Drummer Boy is an ambitious, soul-stirring musical drama set during the American Revolutionary War in 1776. The story follows the Clem family, whose two brothers end up taking opposing sides during the birth of the nation. Jeremiah chooses loyalty to the British Crown, while his younger brother Benjamin joins the Patriot cause as a drummer boy.

Alongside their story, an enslaved woman named Emmaline courageously seeks her own freedom, turning a national battle into a deeply personal, faith-filled exploration of liberty, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

Screenwriting credits go to Richard Ramsey. Film critics have given the movie a ridiculously low score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. Oh, brother. Fans, on the other hand, have awarded it a thundering 95%!

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• Battle sequences include cannon fire, muskets, swordplay, and soldiers getting shot, stabbed, or injured.

• Visible blood seeping through uniforms, battle casualties, and emotional death scenes.

• Portrayal of colonial-era slavery and the mistreatment of enslaved individuals.

• Ship attack scenes involving structural collapse, crushing injuries, and panic.

• No profanity. Yay! That’s especially impressive considering this is a war movie!

THEMES:

• Family unity

• Ideological division

• Spiritual and physical freedom

• Faith

• Forgiveness and family healing

• The high cost of war and conflict

• God-given human dignity

• The sacrifices man is willing to make for freedom

THINGS I LIKED:

• I loved the high-caliber production value, stunning cinematography, and rich period-accurate costume and set design.

• I kept whispering to my husband during the movie that it looked like it was filmed somewhere in the United Kingdom. As it turns out, it was filmed primarily on location in County Kildare, Ireland! Gorgeous! Harristown House Estate (Brannockstown, County Kildare) served as the primary production hub. Traditional Irish cottages and custom-built sets were constructed across the Georgian estate to replicate Revolutionary War-era America, including the below-deck ship interior sets. St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland (Carnalway), located about five kilometers from the main Harristown estate, was used for historical exterior and interior church scenes. Wicklow Harbour was used for exterior, open-water vessel sequences using a period-appropriate sailing ship brought over from France.

• The original soundtrack and contemporary percussive score were composed and performed by for KING + COUNTRY, which adds incredible emotional energy. If you’re a fan of Hamilton, you’ll probably enjoy this, too! Some of the musical vibes reminded me of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical touch.

• There are strong, multi-layered performances by Joel David Smallbone (Jeremiah), Lucas Leach (Benjamin), India Brown (Emmaline), and Iain Glen (Major Ambrose). We get to hear Iain Glen’s native Scottish accent. After decades of awards and performances, Iain is most famous for his role in the worldwide phenomenon Game of Thrones on HBO.

• I had never seen British actress India Brown in anything before. She actually began as a baby model! She later performed in stage performances in London’s West End, and in the recent sci-fi series Invasion.

• A thoughtful handling of history that tackles the real contradictions of freedom in early America.

• The patient character building highlights the deep emotional bonds of family before war pulls them apart.

• I love that the title refers to drummers in the military, as well as a callback to the “Little Drummer Boy” Christmas carol. It was smart to release the film close to the holidays because the timing of certain key scenes takes place during Christmas.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• The modern pop-musical style might feel a bit jarring against the 18th-century setting for traditional period-drama purists.

• Trying to balance war, romance, faith, slavery, and multi-character arcs means a few plot points feel rushed. It’s a family drama, romance, and war movie all at the same time.

• Melora Hardin’s character of Rachel Clem feels slightly underutilized despite a warm, loving mother of the two brothers. Fans of the popular TV shows The Office and Monk will recognize her!

• It’s a bit predictable.
• The age gap between the romantic couple was noticeable and distracting.
• I love musicals. My husband tolerates them. He wasn’t expecting this to be a musical. He loved Young Washington.

INTERESTING LINES:

• “They don’t decide who you are.” – Jeremiah Clem

• “I see the contradiction. I daresay so does [Thomas Jefferson].” – Emmaline

• “It is not your place to allow me to be what God Almighty has made me to be. Free.” – Emmaline

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Unsung Hero

• The Patriot

• Hamilton

• Young Washington

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@MovieReviewMom @TrinaBoice

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Dr. Trina Boice is a university professor, author of 36 books, professional author coach, YouTuber, podcaster, film critic, and mom of 4 awesome sons.