The Charge of the Light Brigade
(B+ or 3/4 stars)
'The Charge of the Light Brigade' (directed by Michael Curtiz) begins circa 1850 during the yrs. leading up to the Crimean War (England/Turkey vs. Russia). Surat Khan (C. Henry Gordon) is the Rajah on the northwest Indian frontier, who learns from an English diplomat & 4 members of the 27th Bengal Lancers, including Major Geoffrey Vickers (the dashing Errol Flynn) & Capt. Randall (David Nivens), that England will no longer fund his rule. With that, the Rajah secretly goes over to the Russian side. Meanwhile, Geoffrey returns to Calcutta, where his fiancee Elsa Campbell (Olivia de Havilland) lives with her colonel father (Donald Crisp); in Geoffrey's absence, she has since fallen in love with his younger brother, Capt. Perry Vickers (Patric Knowles). Before the brothers can settle their feud over this, Geoffrey is ordered to buy cavalry horses & herd them along the Black Sea through the territory called Chukoti.
When Chukoti is left vulnerable, the scheming Rajah - who has secretly been building forces at the border - attacks, slaughtering all the women, children & Col. Campbell. Geoffrey & Elsa manage to escape and, while alone, she finally convinces Geoffrey that she loves his brother more so. Realizing how foolish he was, he gives his blessing to her, then gallantly protects brother Perry by ordering him away from a huge upcoming battle. Sir Charles Macefield (Henry Stephenson), commander of the British forces in Crimea, sends orders through Geoffrey NOT to attack the Rajah. But Geoffrey is hell bent on avenging the Chukoti massacre ... and changes the orders TO attack. He then leads a courageous, if ill-fated charge of 600 soldiers against the Rajah's stronghold {where he's aided by Russian weaponry} near Balaclava heights in the Crimea. Well-choreographed chaos ensues, followed by a slightly abrupt, tightly wrapped-up conclusion.
'TCOTLB' surprised me. I suppose I expected some mid-1930s vacant action flick, but what I got was an involving, beautifully-mounted, sweeping historical epic that includes great visuals, stirring music, & strong performances. Now, the history here is fictionalized & much of it is inaccurate (goes with the territory when considering this was a 1930s Hollywood flick) and, a more accurate film version comes around in 1968 directed by Tony Richardson. I also am disappointed to learn that some 25 horses and 2 stunt men died during the making of this movie {laws preventing mistreatment of animals came around some time after this production}. But the aforementioned strengths of THIS film that I listed above + that rousing climactic battle helped me overcome the issues I have with it.
I find no fault with Errol Flynn's portrayal of Major Vickers. He was strong, vulnerable, brave, and introspective when he needed to be; for me, it's one of his finest performances. And this is the film where Flynn rose to super-stardom. I liked Patric Knowles as Geoffrey's soldier brother. Olivia De Havilland is mostly around as the romantic love interest, but she always gives a solid turn. Other performances by the likes of David Nivens (always a treat), Donald Crisp, C. Henry Gordon (as our villain), Nigel Bruce, E. E. Clive, & Spring Byington lend to the proceedings, as well. And so, despite being irked by aspects of it, the beautiful black-&-white cinematography, amazing Eurasian sets, crisp soundwork, romantic intrigue, stirring uprisings, & visceral massacres afforded me a satisfactory 2 hour film experience.
When Chukoti is left vulnerable, the scheming Rajah - who has secretly been building forces at the border - attacks, slaughtering all the women, children & Col. Campbell. Geoffrey & Elsa manage to escape and, while alone, she finally convinces Geoffrey that she loves his brother more so. Realizing how foolish he was, he gives his blessing to her, then gallantly protects brother Perry by ordering him away from a huge upcoming battle. Sir Charles Macefield (Henry Stephenson), commander of the British forces in Crimea, sends orders through Geoffrey NOT to attack the Rajah. But Geoffrey is hell bent on avenging the Chukoti massacre ... and changes the orders TO attack. He then leads a courageous, if ill-fated charge of 600 soldiers against the Rajah's stronghold {where he's aided by Russian weaponry} near Balaclava heights in the Crimea. Well-choreographed chaos ensues, followed by a slightly abrupt, tightly wrapped-up conclusion.
'TCOTLB' surprised me. I suppose I expected some mid-1930s vacant action flick, but what I got was an involving, beautifully-mounted, sweeping historical epic that includes great visuals, stirring music, & strong performances. Now, the history here is fictionalized & much of it is inaccurate (goes with the territory when considering this was a 1930s Hollywood flick) and, a more accurate film version comes around in 1968 directed by Tony Richardson. I also am disappointed to learn that some 25 horses and 2 stunt men died during the making of this movie {laws preventing mistreatment of animals came around some time after this production}. But the aforementioned strengths of THIS film that I listed above + that rousing climactic battle helped me overcome the issues I have with it.
I find no fault with Errol Flynn's portrayal of Major Vickers. He was strong, vulnerable, brave, and introspective when he needed to be; for me, it's one of his finest performances. And this is the film where Flynn rose to super-stardom. I liked Patric Knowles as Geoffrey's soldier brother. Olivia De Havilland is mostly around as the romantic love interest, but she always gives a solid turn. Other performances by the likes of David Nivens (always a treat), Donald Crisp, C. Henry Gordon (as our villain), Nigel Bruce, E. E. Clive, & Spring Byington lend to the proceedings, as well. And so, despite being irked by aspects of it, the beautiful black-&-white cinematography, amazing Eurasian sets, crisp soundwork, romantic intrigue, stirring uprisings, & visceral massacres afforded me a satisfactory 2 hour film experience.