By Danielle Cherry
During the American Revolutionary War, families were divided—something Jeremiah (Joel David Smallbone) and Benjamin Clem (Lucas Leach) discover as British troops swarm their town demanding that able-bodied men join the fight.
With no father and a dying flour business, Jeremiah, being the older of the brothers, steps out to do what he thinks will benefit his family most: fighting for the British despite believing what they are doing is wrong.
Upon discovery of Jeremiah’s treason to his beliefs, Benjamin sets out to join the revolution and fight for the country he calls home. With so much passion and an incredible talent for drumming, it seems nothing can hold Benjamin back. Except for his crippled leg which makes people believe he is unfit to fight for what is right.
Family tension runs rampant in this movie, with both brothers finding themselves on opposite sides of the war. Conceived by popular Christian band FOR KING + COUNTRY, “Drummer Boy” is a musical phenomenon that pairs Christian morals with a war drama.
With an original score written by Joel and Luke Smallbone, sweeping violins and stunning vocals take this story from a war drama to a powerful message about forgiveness and equality. On a scale that is far more grand that than is expected, it is clear the music is the driving line of this film, bringing power to messages because of the stunning composition of each piece.
Joel clearly has a talent for singing, being a lead vocalist FOR KING + COUNTRY, yet it is Lucas Leach who really steals the vocal show. Being only fifteen years old during the filming of this project, Leach is just beginning his acting career. Between his impressive musical talent and facial expression of emotions, it’s safe to say this kid is going places.
In all honesty the acting is generally subpar, especially by Joel who should stick to singing as his career. But for Leach, this is an opportunity to show the diversity in his skill, singing with all his might. Leach portrays a cripple with a real intentionality which feeds into the emotions he conveys onscreen.
It only makes sense that a movie about the drummer boy would boast a battery of percussion throughout all of the songs. Drums are carrying the beat in every song—and for this movie they carry the heart behind every moment.
War drama musicals are not common in the film world as beautiful lyricism and shooting muskets have very few commonalities. Yet the pairing in “Drummer Boy” allows for a different type of war analysis, as characters question if fighting against other humans and taking their lives is really right.
For the most part the musical aspects pair nicely with the story, yet there are moments where a song, while being powerful, feels out of place for the context of the story. Dramatic moments of war are offset by stunning vocals that seem to draw away from the necessary violence to build tension in the plot.
At the same time the choreography for musical sequences consists of characters running through the same field. The lack of location change makes the characters’ solos repetitive and tiresome.
Despite the limited film experience that FOR KING + COUNTRY is working with, “Drummer Boy” is an overall success, pairing the band’s musical talent with their passion behind it all: Christ. In a world so filled with movies that are made for entertainment, “Drummer Boy” is refreshing in the message it so clearly wants viewers to understand.
There is no hiding the reason why “Drummer Boy” is made: it is created to preach the good news of reconciliation to all those watching. Sometimes Christian movies are ashamed of what they are and try to make references to Jesus subtle, but “Drummer Boy” is very different. This film beats the message home every chance they get.
It’s uncommon to find a movie made with such passion and joy behind every scene with the heartbeat of it all being to glorify God.
Entertaining, emotional, moving and beautifully sung, “Drummer Boy” is a movie that serves all ages and is an encouragement for any family walking through a hard season. Hearing the vocals and sweeping score on the big screen is an experience that is stunning—one you can’t get through airpods.
If you have any spare minute at all, find a theater and watch this movie. You’ll find the music enveloping you into this heartfelt story of faith and love that is far greater than the circumstances of the world.
And if nothing else, you will hear the gospel preached in every corner of this movie right down to the faith of a boy stepping out on one bad leg and carrying a drum.
“Drummer Boy” is currently playing in theaters
Danielle Cherry is a junior communication major and is assistant editor and writer for A&E and passionate writer for Sports. She is a Missionary Kid from Germany and within the opening musical sequence of this movie knew she would be ranting about the score for “Drummer Boy” for the next week.
Images courtesy of FOR KING + COUNTRY and Angel Studios
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