The Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness

Overview

The life of man is poor and nasty. A few plants give temporary relief: marijuana, alcohol, and opium. After a history of opium, including the 19th-century Opium Wars, we learn of the discovery of heroin; the rest of the film examines heroin trade and addiction in the U.S. Two tons a year enter the U.S., with only 100 pounds interdicted. Most is used in New York City. Interviews with customs officials, prosecutors, medical doctors and junkies provide points of view. The harsh 1956 law and the medically-oriented law of 1966 are contrasted, with the film on the side of treatment and rehabilitation. It ends with advocating reducing use here and finding other cash crops for farmers abroad.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

January 1, 1972

Original language

English

Spoken languages

English

Countries

United States of America

Cast

Paul Newman

Director

William Templeton

Writer

Don Peterson

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

Homepage

Official site

IMDb

tt1735189