This weekend I got a chance to see the new movie, “DRUMMER BOY” from Angel Studios in theaters, and I really enjoyed it.

This movie is the latest project from Ben Smallbone and Joel David Smallbone of the Christian pop duo, for King & Country, who were the film’s directors, and Joel David Smallbone was also the film’s lead actor, playing Jeremiah Clem. The film Joel David Smallbone previously had a hand in directing was “Unsung Hero” the film based on a true story of Smallbone’s mom, which I absolutely loved. This movie’s screenwriter was a collaborator with the duo and director of “Unsung Hero,” Richard L. Ramsey.

The plot of the movie centers around the start of the Revolutionary War in the New World. The town of Kingston, NY is divided between British loyalists and the downtrodden colonists who feel like British rule has gone too far with their excessive taxation. The older brother trying to impress the local noble, Lord Balfour (played by Charles Esten), and win his daughter’s hand in marriage, and also protect his family, who business would be impacted if side with the colonists, enlists in the British army. His younger brother, Benjamin (played by Lucas Leach), who is lame, feels betrayed by his older brother’s decision, and sympathizes with the colonists’ rebellion. While he cannot join the Continental army because of his leg, he proves to the Major in the regiment, that he is an adept drummer boy, who can help the cause in that capacity. Another side plot is the Lord’s daughter, Lady Elizabeth Balfour (played by Beth Easdown) is put in charge of the estate while her father leads the local British army, and her household has handful of slaves, one in particular Emmaline (played by India Brown), has known Jeremiah Clem since they were children, and she is promised her freedom from slavery if she can raise the money to buy it.

On top of the somewhat involved plot, Smallbone and the cast turn this war / action / romance movie into a musical, using the talents of the lead actor and several of the other actors to sing songs alongside the dialogue and ongoing plot. Somehow they pull all of this off. I enjoyed the music, the songs, and found myself looking up the soundtrack to hear the music again.

One of the weakest parts of the movie though is that all of these elements, the complex story, and the various pieces that need to be tied up to finish the story all seem a bit rushed towards the end of the film and the ending feels kind of abrupt.

While the film is rated PG-13 for some depictions of war, and some blood for the battlefield, I wouldn’t have an issue with my 9-year-old seeing this film. The best of the film is the positive messages throughout. The story leans heavily into themes around family, freedom, faith, perseverance, and forgiveness. That many came to the New World seeking freedom, and they brought their belief in God with them. Despite being on opposite sides and their feelings of betrayal, there was still room for forgiveness and reconciliation and redemption. A second chance was always an option to heal and start again.

I really enjoyed this movie and if you are interested in it at all I would recommend you looking for where it might be playing and get a ticket. Through Angel Studios’ website, you can get tickets now, and using their promo code ‘NOFEES’ at checkout save on any booking fees. Use this link to book tickets. It is likely to be a short run in theaters, so don’t delay and see where it might be playing near you.