Death Drums Along the River

1963 British film by Lawrence Huntington

Death Drums Along the River

DVD cover

Directed by| Lawrence Huntington
Written by| Harry Alan Towers
Lawrence Huntington
Nicolas Roeg
Produced by| Harry Alan Towers
Starring| Richard Todd
Marianne Koch
Albert Lieven
Walter Rilla
Cinematography| Robert Huke
Music by| Sidney Torch

Production
companies

Hallam Productions
Constantin Film

Distributed by| Constantin Film (Germany)
Planet Films (UK)

Release dates

* 20 December 1963 (1963-12-20) (Germany)
* 27 March 1965 (1965-03-27) (UK)

Running time

| 83 minutes
Countries| United Kingdom
West Germany
South Africa
Language| English

Death Drums Along the River (U.S. title: Sanders; also known as Sanders of the River, Inquietante Suceso En Gondra, and Todestrommeln Am Grossen Fluss) is a 1963 British-German international co-production directed by Lawrence Huntingdon ad starring Richard Todd and Marianne Koch.[1]

The film uses the characters from Edgar Wallace's 1911 novel Sanders of the River and Zoltán Korda's 1935 film based on the novel, but placed in a totally different story. Filmed on location in South Africa, it was the first feature film of British producer Harry Alan Towers.

## Plot

[edit]

In an unnamed small British colony on the west coast of Africa, somewhat resembling the Gambia, and according to the dialogue next to Senegal, two policemen patrolling a wharf sight a sack of peanuts dropped by stevedores. As the sack breaks the workers discover a pouch in it that is quickly grabbed by a man who then runs away. The policemen chase him and he eventually kills one of them before disappearing. Police Commissioner Sanders questions Pearson, a suspected criminal, but finds no information.

At the same time a Dr Jung arrives at the airport and is met by Todd's assistant, Inspector Hamilton, who is pleasantly surprised that Dr Jung is both female and pretty. Dr Jung is going to see Dr Schneider who runs a clinic up-river, close to the colony's eastern border. Also on the plane with her is an American journalist who wishes to visit the clinic to do a story and turns out to be an old friend of Pearson.

Commissioner Sanders begins to suspect that the clinic is a location for diamonds being smuggled across the border. He asks what distant drumming means and is told that they signal a funeral. He interrupts this native burial ceremony as he wishes to identify the body. They are allegedly burying the murderer from the first scene. Sanders doesn't believe this, but just as he finds the murderer and arrests him, a shot fires out, and truly kills him.

Meanwhile, it is revealed that Dr Schneider, who is very ill, is receiving a 10% dose of the drug he needs instead of 100%. He is aware of the diamonds on his land but wants to give it back to the natives when he dies. Ultimately it is his assistant Dr Weiss who is revealed as the smuggler.

## Main cast

[edit]

* Richard Todd as Commissioner Harry Sanders
* Marianne Koch as Dr Inge Jung
* Albert Lieven as Dr Weiss
* Walter Rilla as Dr Schneider
* Jeremy Lloyd as Hamilton
* Robert Arden as Hunter
* Vivi Bach as Marlene
* Bill Brewer as Pearson
* Simon Sabela [fr] as Bosambo

## Production

[edit]

The film was shot in Durban, Durban North, Zululand and Lake St Lucia.[2]

Harry Alan Towers produced several films in South Africa with financing from Constantin Film in West Germany and casts of actors from that country.[3]

The film was marketed in West Germany as one of the then popular series of Edgar Wallace films, but it has very little to do with Wallace's novel Sanders of the River, or the previous films based on it, apart from the name Sanders and the boat Zaire, though here it is a small motorboat rather than a steamer. The intertribal warfare in Wallace's work has been replaced by a standard detective story involving murder and diamond-smuggling.

Richard Todd had been in Africa filming The Hellions (1961) and was attempting to produce a film of Ian Fleming's The Diamond Smugglers.[4]

Todd reprised the role of Harry Sanders in Coast of Skeletons (1965).

## Critical reception

[edit]

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Based on Edgar Wallace's characters, this film has a barely nodding acquaintance with the famous 'Sanders of the River' stories. The scene is contemporary Africa, with references to imminent independence of the territory and the French getting out of Senegal; the grand old paddle-steamer "Zaire" is now a mere modern launch; Hamilton appears in a subsidiary part, modified to emerge as something reminiscent of Bones; and poor old Sanders is here nothing more than a police detective. The African locale is not markedly exploited, though the native village looks authentic and the chants sound like the real thing. Richard Todd is sorely miscast as Sanders, and both script and acting are desultory."[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Death Drums Along the River". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
2. ^ "The Witness". witness.co.za.
3. ^ p.217 Tim Bergfelder, International Adventures: German Popular Cinema and International Co-Productions in the 1960s, Berghann Books, 2005
4. ^ Richard Todd, In Camera: An Autobiography Continued, Hutchinson, 1989
5. ^ "Death Drums Along the River". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 33 (384): 58. 1 January 1966 - via ProQuest.

## External links

[edit]

* Death Drums Along the River at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Edgar Wallace

Novels|

* The Four Just Men (1905)
* Angel Esquire (1908)
* The Council of Justice (1908)
* Captain Tatham (1909)
* The Duke in the Suburbs (1909)
* The Nine Bears (1910)
* Private Selby (1912)
* The Fourth Plague (1913)
* Grey Timothy (1913)
* The River of Stars (1913)
* The Man Who Bought London (1915)
* The Melody of Death (1915)
* A Debt Discharged (1916)
* The Tomb of Ts'in (1916)
* The Just Men of Cordova (1917)
* The Secret House (1917)
* The Clue of the Twisted Candle (1918)
* Down Under Donovan (1918)
* The Man Who Knew (1918)
* Those Folk of Bulboro (1918)
* The Green Rust (1919)
* Kate Plus Ten (1919)
* The Daffodil Mystery (1920)
* Jack O'Judgment (1920)
* The Book of All Power (1921)
* The Law of the Four Just Men (1921)
* The Angel of Terror (1922)
* The Crimson Circle (1922)
* The Flying Fifty-Five (1922)
* Mr. Justice Maxell (1922)
* The Valley of Ghosts (1922)
* The Clue of the New Pin (1923)
* The Green Archer (1923)
* The Missing Million (1923)
* The Dark Eyes of London (1924)
* Double Dan (1924)
* The Face in the Night (1924)
* Room 13 (1924)
* The Sinister Man (1924)
* The Three Oak Mystery (1924)
* Blue Hand (1925)
* The Fellowship of the Frog (1925)
* The Mind of Mr. J. G. Reeder (1925)
* The Strange Countess (1925)
* The Three Just Men (1925)
* The Avenger (1926)
* Barbara on Her Own (1926)
* The Black Abbot (1926)
* The Northing Tramp (1926)
* The Terrible People (1926)
* The Yellow Snake (1926)
* The Big Foot (1927)
* Terror Keep (1927)
* The Traitor's Gate (1927)
* The Squeaker (1927)
* The Forger (1927)
* Again the Three (1928)
* The Gunner (1928)
* Four Square Jane (1929)
* The Green Ribbon (1929)
* The India-Rubber Men (1929)
* The Calendar (1930)
* The Clue of the Silver Key (1930)
* The Lady of Ascot (1930)
* The Man at the Carlton (1931)
* The Guv'nor and Other Short Stories (1932)

Plays|

* An African Millionaire (1904)
* M'Lady (1921)
* Double Dan (1927)
* The Terror (1927)
* The Man Who Changed His Name (1928)
* The Calendar (1929)
* Persons Unknown (1929)
* On the Spot (1930)
* The Mouthpiece (1930)
* Smoky Cell (1930)
* The Old Man (1931)

Screenplays|

* The Valley of Ghosts (1928)
* The Hound of the Baskervilles (1932)
* King Kong (1933)

Adaptations|

| J. G. Reeder|

* Mr. Reeder in Room 13 (1938)
* The Mind of Mr. Reeder (1939)
* The Missing People (1940)
* The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder (1969, TV series)

|

The Four Just Men|

* The Four Just Men (1921)
* The Four Just Men (1939)
* The Four Just Men (1959, TV series)

Edgar Wallace Mysteries|

* Urge to Kill (1960)
* Clue of the Twisted Candle (1960)
* The Malpas Mystery (1960)
* Marriage of Convenience (1960)
* The Clue of the New Pin (1961)
* Man at the Carlton Tower (1961)
* The Fourth Square (1961)
* Man Detained (1961)
* Attempt to Kill (1961)
* Clue of the Silver Key (1961)
* Never Back Losers (1961)
* Partners in Crime (1961)
* The Sinister Man (1961)
* Time to Remember (1962)
* Playback (1962)
* Solo for Sparrow (1962)
* Locker Sixty-Nine (1962)
* Incident at Midnight (1963)
* Return to Sender (1963)
* Ricochet (1963)
* Accidental Death (1963)
* Five to One (1963)
* The Verdict (1964)
* We Shall See (1964)
* Act of Murder (1964)
* Change Partners (1965)

Rialto Films|

* Der Frosch mit der Maske (1959)
* The Crimson Circle (1960)
* The Avenger (1960)
* The Terrible People (1960)
* The Green Archer (1961)
* The Dead Eyes of London (1961)
* The Devil's Daffodil (1961)
* The Forger of London (1961)
* The Strange Countess (1961)
* The Puzzle of the Red Orchid (1962)
* The Door with Seven Locks (1962)
* The Inn on the River (1962)
* The Curse of the Yellow Snake (1963)
* The Squeaker (1963)
* The Black Abbot (1963)
* The Indian Scarf (1963)
* Room 13 (1964)
* The Curse of the Hidden Vault (1964)
* Der Hexer (1964)
* The Traitor's Gate (1964)
* Neues vom Hexer (1965)
* The Sinister Monk (1965)
* The Hunchback of Soho (1966)
* The Trygon Factor (1966)
* Creature with the Blue Hand (1967)
* The Monk with the Whip (1967)
* The Hound of Blackwood Castle (1968)
* Im Banne des Unheimlichen (1968)
* The Gorilla of Soho (1968)
* Double Face (1969)
* The Man with the Glass Eye (1969)
* The Body in the Thames (1971)

Other|

* The Man Who Bought London (1916)
* The Green Terror (1919)
* Pallard the Punter (1919)
* Angel Esquire (1919)
* Wanted at Headquarters (1920)
* The River of Stars (1921)
* The Crimson Circle (1922)
* Down Under Donovan (1922)
* Melody of Death (1922)
* The Diamond Man (1924)
* The Flying Fifty-Five (1924)
* The Green Archer (1925 serial)
* The Great Unknown (1927)
* The Terror (1928)
* Mark of the Frog (1928 serial)
* Chick (1928)
* The Forger (1928)
* The Terrible People (1928 serial)
* The Ringer (1928)
* The Man Who Changed His Name (1928)
* The Flying Squad (1929)
* The Crimson Circle (1929)
* The Clue of the New Pin (1929)
* Red Aces (1930)
* The Squeaker (1930)
* The Yellow Mask (1930)
* The Ringer (1931)
* To Oblige a Lady (1931)
* The Calendar (1931)
* The Old Man (1931)
* The Squeaker (1931)
* The Flying Squad (1932)
* The Frightened Lady (1932)
* The Ringer (1932)
* The Menace (1932)
* White Face (1932)
* Giallo (1933)
* The Jewel (1933)
* Before Dawn (1933)
* The Double (1934)
* Mystery Liner (1934)
* The Green Pack (1934)
* The Feathered Serpent (1934)
* The Lad (1935)
* Sanders of the River (1935)
* Born to Gamble (1935)
* Chick (1936)
* Educated Evans (1936)
* The Crimson Circle (1936)
* Prison Breaker (1936)
* Strangers on Honeymoon (1936)
* The Frog (1937)
* The Squeaker (1937)
* The Gaunt Stranger (1938)
* Dangerous to Know (1938)
* Kate Plus Ten (1938)
* Thank Evans (1938)
* The Terror (1938)
* The Return of the Frog (1938)
* Flying Fifty-Five (1939)
* The Dark Eyes of London (1939)
* The Case of the Frightened Lady (1940)
* The Door with Seven Locks (1940)
* The Flying Squad (1940)
* The Green Archer (1940 serial)
* The Missing Million (1942)
* The Calendar (1948)
* The Ringer (1952)
* The Avenger (1960)
* Death Drums Along the River (1963)
* Coast of Skeletons (1964)
* Circus of Fear (1966)
* Five Golden Dragons (1967)
* The Devil Came from Akasava (1970)
* The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971)
* What Have You Done to Solange? (1972)
* Seven Blood-Stained Orchids (1972)

Television|

* Educated Evans (1957–58)
* The Mixer (1992)

Family|

* Mary Jane Richards (mother)
* Marriott Edgar (half-brother)
* Bryan Edgar Wallace (son)

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Lawrence Huntington

* After Many Years (1930)
* Romance in Rhythm (1934)
* The Bank Messenger Mystery (1936)
* Strange Cargo (1936)
* Two on a Doorstep (1936)
* Cafe Mascot (1936)
* Full Speed Ahead (1936)
* Passenger to London (1937)
* Screen Struck (short, 1937)
* Twin Faces (1937)
* Dial 999 (1938)
* Bad Boy (1938)
* This Man Is Dangerous aka The Patient Vanishes (1941)
* Tower of Terror (1941)
* Suspected Person (1942)
* Women Aren't Angels (1943)
* Warn That Man (1943)
* Night Boat to Dublin (1946)
* Wanted for Murder (1946)
* The Upturned Glass (1947)
* When the Bough Breaks (1947)
* Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill (1948)
* Man on the Run (1949)
* The Franchise Affair (1951)
* There Was a Young Lady (1953)
* The Accused (1953)
* The Genie (1953)
* Thought to Kill (1954)
* The Red Dress (1954)
* Destination Milan (1954)
* Eight Witnesses (TV film, 1954)
* Contraband Spain (1955)
* Deadly Record (1959)
* The Fur Collar (1962)
* Stranglehold (1963)
* Death Drums Along the River (1963)
* The Vulture (1967)

* v
* t
* e

Films of Harry Alan Towers

* Death Drums Along the River (1963)
* Victim Five (1964)
* Coast of Skeletons (1965)
* Sandy the Seal (1965)
* Mozambique (1965)
* 24 Hours to Kill (1965)
* The Face of Fu Manchu (1965)
* Ten Little Indians (1965)
* Our Man in Marrakesh (1966)
* Circus of Fear (1966)
* The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966)
* The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967)
* The Vengeance of Fu Manchu (1967)
* Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon (1967)
* Five Golden Dragons (1967)
* The House of 1,000 Dolls (1967)
* Eve (1968)
* The Blood of Fu Manchu (1968)
* 99 Women (1969)
* The Girl from Rio (1969)
* Marquis de Sade: Justine (1969)
* The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969)
* Venus in Furs (1969)
* Eugenie… The Story of Her Journey into Perversion (1970)
* The Bloody Judge (1970)
* Count Dracula (1970)
* Dorian Gray (1970)
* Black Beauty (1971)
* Treasure Island (1972)
* The Call of the Wild (1972)
* White Fang (1973)
* And Then There Were None (1974)
* Blue Belle (1976)
* H. G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come (1979)
* King Solomon's Treasure (1979)
* Klondike Fever (1980)
* Black Venus (1983)
* Fanny Hill (1983)
* Lady Libertine (1984)
* Christina (1984)
* Black Arrow (1985)
* Lightning, the White Stallion (1986)
* Skeleton Coast (1987)
* Gor (1987)
* Platoon Leader (1988)
* Howling IV: The Original Nightmare (1988)
* Outlaw of Gor (1988)
* Edge of Sanity (1989)
* American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989)
* River of Death (1989)
* Ten Little Indians (1989)
* The Phantom of the Opera (1989)
* Buried Alive (1990)
* Oddball Hall (1990)
* Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady (1991)
* Incident at Victoria Falls (1992)
* The Lost World (1992)
* Return to the Lost World (1992)
* Dance Macabre (1992)
* Night Terrors (1993)
* The Mangler (1995)
* Bullet to Beijing (1995)
* Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)
* Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996)
* Owd Bob (1998)
* Treasure Island (1999)
* Death, Deceit and Destiny Aboard the Orient Express (2000)
* Sumuru (2003)
* Pact with the Devil (2004)

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