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The Charge of the Light Brigade: Boys Will Be Boys

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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 . . .

Follow Ups:

Zulu Dawn is another good one for Victorian Brit hubris - DWPC 17:32:39 06/10/06 (1)
Watch it, followed by Zulu (Michael Caine's first big role); both real events happened within 24 hours. Netflix doesn't list it though; maybe its not on dvd.
- Been there, done them. * - mr grits 19:54:51 06/10/06 (0)
  .
  Ex nihilo, nihil fit . . .
How many Brits does it take to charge a light brigade? - dave c 21:52:53 06/09/06 (3)
I seem to remember that film...
But you have to remember that those were probably gleefully accurate portrayals of historical characters.
The Brits conquered the world because they had a flag (Hear Eddie Izzard on this) and the class structure has never been more tellingly analysed than in Blackadder Goes Forth. The entire series should be compulsory before any country can declare war...
- I have several of the "Go Forth" WWI episodes . . . - mr grits 19:49:06 06/10/06 (1)
  To me, the best part of the whole series. The last episode was quite unexpected . . shocking to the overall tone of the series. Despite their cunning plans they still had to go over the top.
  Oh yes, Laurie as Prince Regent was outstanding, also.
  
  Ex nihilo, nihil fit . . .
  - Goes Forth.... - dave c 16:58:19 06/11/06 (0)
    I think this is one of the GREAT series of British comedy, made all the funnier by its biting vision of the British class system.
    Immediately before they go over the top in the final episode, where Blackadder, having failed in all his attempts to avoid certain death, comments something to the effect of "who would notice another lunatic out here?" is a moment of great poignancy, and the fading of the scene to the silent ending says more than words.
- Approximately 600 - Bambi B 10:07:02 06/10/06 (0)
  dave c,
  599 to repress the natives and 1 to have his butler do it.
  "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
  Alfred, Lord Tennyson
  1.
  Half a league, half a league,
  Half a league onward,
  All in the valley of Death
  Rode the six hundred.
  "Forward, the Light Brigade!
  "Charge for the guns!" he said:
  Into the valley of Death
  Rode the six hundred.
  2.
  "Forward, the Light Brigade!"
  Was there a man dismay'd?
  Not tho' the soldier knew
  Someone had blunder'd:
  Their's not to make reply,
  Their's not to reason why,
  Their's but to do and die:
  Into the valley of Death
  Rode the six hundred.
  3.
  Cannon to right of them,
  Cannon to left of them,
  Cannon in front of them
  Volley'd and thunder'd;
  Storm'd at with shot and shell,
  Boldly they rode and well,
  Into the jaws of Death,
  Into the mouth of Hell
  Rode the six hundred.
  4.
  Flash'd all their sabres bare,
  Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
  Sabring the gunners there,
  Charging an army, while
  All the world wonder'd:
  Plunged in the battery-smoke
  Right thro' the line they broke;
  Cossack and Russian
  Reel'd from the sabre stroke
  Shatter'd and sunder'd.
  Then they rode back, but not
  Not the six hundred.
  5.
  Cannon to right of them,
  Cannon to left of them,
  Cannon behind them
  Volley'd and thunder'd;
  Storm'd at with shot and shell,
  While horse and hero fell,
  They that had fought so well
  Came thro' the jaws of Death
  Back from the mouth of Hell,
  All that was left of them,
  Left of six hundred.
  6.
  When can their glory fade?
  O the wild charge they made!
  All the world wondered.
  Honor the charge they made,
  Honor the Light Brigade,
  Noble six hundred.

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