The Charge of the Light Brigade: Boys Will Be Boys

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

Saw this last in '68 and never forgot it. Just Netflixed it and really enjoyed its chuckles and giggles. Quite a production with the massive amount of extras with all the uniforms and such. Made during that brief era of anti-war films, "Charge" satirizes Victorian England's class differences, the British military, out of control nationalism, and rigid incompetence. (Nobody lampoons themselves better than the Brits, bless'em.)
This movie pulled together a treasure trove of Brit actors playing characterizations of the real principles. Gielgud was never better with his understated wit playing Lord Raglan. Trevor Howards' blustery, redfaced Lord Cardigan barked and chewed up scenary. Harry Andrews played the Lord Lucan, a semi-outraged uppercrust who lived to hate "Corporal" Cardigan. Finally, David Hemmings as the gentlemen captain who bought his way in and really wanted to fight--somebody had to be the straight man.
This collection of clowns gleefully (and incompently) planned to storm the Crimea to wrest the Turks from the big, bad Russian bear. The movie's tone is set by outstanding animation illustrating the nationalistic jingoism of the day. Hilarious.
At the very end all the main characters set about passing the buck on "who lost the Light Brigade" just like kids on a sandlot. This movie has its weaknesses but upon reflection it just might be a mirror of ourselves at this point in history.
Reccommended.

Ex nihilo, nihil fit . . .

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Topic - The Charge of the Light Brigade: Boys Will Be Boys - mr grits 18:06:49 06/09/06 (6)

Zulu Dawn is another good one for Victorian Brit hubris - DWPC 17:32:39 06/10/06 (1)

Been there, done them. * - mr grits 19:54:51 06/10/06 (0)

How many Brits does it take to charge a light brigade? - dave c 21:52:53 06/09/06 (3)

I have several of the "Go Forth" WWI episodes . . . - mr grits 19:49:06 06/10/06 (1)

Goes Forth.... - dave c 16:58:19 06/11/06 (0)

Approximately 600 - Bambi B 10:07:02 06/10/06 (0)

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