Drummer Boy. (PG. 122 minutes.)

This is a musical that might have worked better if it hadn't been. That's not a compliment, but there are many impressive things in this movie, a labour of love for the Australian-born brothers Joel and Ben Smallbone. Joel plays one of the leads and they co-directed and helped come up with the story.

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The story, set in the early days of the American War of Independence, focuses on two brothers, the Clems. Jeremiah (Joel Smallbone) had to become the man of the family at an early age, after their father (Ioan Gruffudd) was killed on the journey from Britain. He and his younger brother Benjamin (Lucas Leach), who wears a leg brace, run a flour mill with their loving mother Rachel (Melora Hardin).

They get by, while another family who arrived in the same ship, the wealthy Balfours, are far better placed, socially and economically. Lord Balfour (Charles Esten) isn't happy that Jeremiah is interested in his daughter Lizzie (Beth Easdown) and that she might return his feelings.

Some of the people in the colony are chafing at the onerous taxes being imposed by Britain and are voicing treasonous thoughts of breaking away. Among them is Benjamin, which leads to many people boycotting his family's mill, while armed conflict is brewing.

Aiming to fix the situation, Jeremiah rides off, coming back a Redcoat. His decision to join the British army - which comes rather abruptly - leads to a rift with his mother and........

© Canberra Times