The Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness (1972)

In a world where the brutalities of life often prove unbearable, Mother Nature offers an ominous escape - the opium poppy. This plant, thriving in sizzling climates across the globe, is the pulse of "The Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness" - a haunting exploration of human frailty and the destructive allure of narcotics. The film traces opium's dark history, dating back to 4000 B.C. in the Mediterranean region, and follows its sinister spread to the East, where it forged a notorious association with China. In the 19th century, German scientists extracted a more potent poison from opium - heroin. This lethal substance, readily absorbed into the bloodstream, delivers an immediate, addictive euphoria. Despite its deadly nature, opium and its derivatives have been romanticized in literature, painting a beguiling picture of this hazardous escape. Criminal elements, particularly the French Corsicans, exploit this addiction, trafficking heroin illicitly, with the majority of the raw substance infiltrating the United States via New York's bustling port or the porous Mexican border. Despite the diligent efforts of customs agents, the relentless tide of illegal narcotics rarely ebbs, flooding urban ghettos and ensnaring countless victims in its deadly grip. The film presents a riveting montage of perspectives - from customs officials and prosecutors to medical doctors and addicts themselves, each contributing a piece to the harrowing puzzle of heroin addiction. As the narrative unfolds, it contrasts the punitive 1956 law with the more empathetic, treatment-oriented legislation of 1966, advocating for rehabilitation over retribution. "The Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness" concludes with a plea for a two-pronged approach to this crisis - reduced consumption domestically and the provision of alternative cash crops for farmers abroad. This film is a stark reminder of the tragic grip of addiction and the urgent need for supportive interventions to free its victims from their chemical shackles.

The Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness is a documentary movie featuring Paul Newman and directed by William Templeton.

It is possible to buy The Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness on Amazon Video.