Death Drums Along the River

Death Drums Along the River Original Theatrical Poster Country UK West Germany Directed by Lawrence Huntington Release Date 1963 Studio Big Ben Films Constantin Film Hallam Productions Distributor Constantin Film Planet Film Distributors Main Cast Character Actor Commissioner Harry Sanders Richard Todd Dr. Inge Jung Marianne Koch Dr. Franz Weiss Albert Lieven Dr. Schneider Walter Rilla Inspector Tom Hamilton Jeremy Lloyd Jim Hunter Robert Arden Nurse Marlene Dorfman Vivi Bach Jack Pearson Bill Brewer

Death Drums Along the River is a 1963 British-West German adventure movie directed by Lawrence Huntington. The movie features the main character of Edgar Wallace's 1911 novel "Sanders of the River" and the 1935 film by Zoltan Korda, although the plot is totally different. Harry Sanders (Richard Todd), British police Commissioner in West Africa, investigates the diamonds trafficking. The investigation leads him to Dr. Schneider's hospital, located far from civilisation.

In 1965 a sequel Coast of Skeletons was released.

The following weapons were used in the film Death Drums Along the River:

Smith & Wesson Mk II Hand Ejector

The service sidearm of Commissioner Harry Sanders (Richard Todd) is a Smith & Wesson Mk II Hand Ejector revolver. Inspector Tom Hamilton (Jeremy Lloyd) carries a revolver holster of same type but his gun isn't seen.

Smith & Wesson Mk.II Hand Ejector - .455 Webley

Sanders carries a holstered revolver. A small part of the grip can be seen.

Hamilton (at the right) carries a holster.

Sanders holds his revolver during the boat chase.

Sanders puts the revolver back in holster.

Sanders chases Weiss through the jungle.

Sanders raises his revolver.

Unidentified revolver

During the boat chase sequence, Sanders' revolver switches to a different gun of unidentified model, and then back to his Smith & Wesson. It seems to have a ejector rod housed in a tube on the right side of the barrel, like Single Action Army but the frame with a raised upper back differs from SAA. Possibly this scene was partially re-shot in a different location with different props. Curiously, Sanders holds an SAA style revolver on the film poster.

Sanders holds a revolver. What appears to be an ejector rod housing is seen.

The raised upper back of the frame is seen.

Beretta 948

Dr. Franz Weiss (Albert Lieven) owns a Beretta 948, a .22 caliber post-war version of Beretta M1934 with 150 mm target barrel. Strangely, the typical magazine spur isn't seen so possibly the pistol is used without the magazine.

Beretta 948 with 150mm barrel - .22LR

With a well-aimed shot, Weiss saves Dr. Inge Jung (Marianne Koch) from a poisonous snake.

Another view of the same scene.

Weiss holds his pistol during the boat chase.

A close-up of the rear part of the pistol.

Dr. Franz Weiss (Albert Lieven) holds the pistol on a promotional image.