The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935)

Three British soldiers on the Northwest Frontier of India struggle against invaders...and themselves.

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Waldemar Young (screen play), John L. Balderston (screen play),

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell

Won 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gary Cooper	...	Lieutenant McGregor
Franchot Tone	...	Lieutenant Forsythe
Richard Cromwell	...	Lieutenant Stone
Guy Standing	...	Colonel Stone (as Sir Guy Standing)
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Major Hamilton
Kathleen Burke	...	Tania Volkanskaya
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Mohammed Khan (as Douglas Dumbrille)
Monte Blue	...	Hamzulla Khan
Colin Tapley	...	Lieutenant Barrett
Akim Tamiroff	...	Emir
J. Carrol Naish	...	Grand Vizier
Noble Johnson	...	Ram Singh
Lumsden Hare	...	Major General Woodley
Jameson Thomas	...	Hendrickson

Storyline

The 41st Bengal Lancers are stationed on the Northwest Frontier of British India, guarding against Afridi invaders led by wily Mohammed Khan. Experienced (though insubordinate) Lieut. McGregor is joined by two new arrivals, haughty Forsythe and callow Donald Stone...son of the commanding colonel. We follow the three through varied adventures and hardships. Will they uphold the honor of the regiment? Will Stone and the Colonel come to terms with their difficult relationship?

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Plot Keywords:

india | british | lancer | rescue | fortress | 

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Taglines:

1750 to 1! Always out-numbered! Never out-fought! These are the Bengal Lancers...heroes all...guarding each other's lives, sharing each other's tortures, fighting each other's battles...

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1935 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Bengali

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The verse Lt. Forsythe recites in the dungeon is from a poem by William Ernest Henley, entitled 'England, My England'. This is the complete poem: "What have I done for you, / England, my England? / What is there I would not do, / England, my own? / With your glorious eyes austere, / As the Lord were walking near, / Whispering terrible things and dear / As the Song on your bugles blown, / England - / Round the world on your bugles blown! Where shall the watchful sun, / England, my England, / Match the master-work you've done, / England, my own? / When shall he rejoice agen / Such a breed of mighty men / As come forward, one to ten, / To the Song on your bugles blown, / England - / Down the years on your bugles blown? Ever the faith endures, / England, my England: - / 'Take and break us: we are yours, / England, my own! / Life is good, and joy runs high / Between English earth and sky: / Death is death; but we shall die / To the Song of your bugles blown, / England - / To the stars on your bugles blown!' They call you proud and hard, / England, my England: / You with worlds to watch and ward, / England, my own! / You whose mail'd hand keeps the keys / Of such teeming destinies, / You could know nor dread nor ease / Were the Song on your bugles blown, / England - / Round the Pit on your bugles blown! Mother of Ships whose might, / England, my England, / Is the fierce old Sea's delight, / England, my own, / Chosen daughter of the Lord, / Spouse-in-Chief of the ancient Sword, / There's the menace of the Word / In the Song on your bugles blown, / England - / Out of heaven on your bugles blown!"

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Goofs

When McGregor shaves, the way Forsythe holds the snake charmer pipe changes between shots.

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Quotes

Major Hamilton: McGregor, you'll meet the two replacement officers this morning. lieutenants Forsythe and Stone.
Lieutenant Alan McGregor: Yes, sir. Stone?
Major Hamilton: His son.
Lieutenant Alan McGregor: His what?
Major Hamilton: I said, his son.
Lieutenant Alan McGregor: [chuckles] I can't imagine the old Ramrod ever having been that human.
[imitating Col. Stone]
Lieutenant Alan McGregor: Madam, you'll marry me Tuesday the 29th. Be at the church at 10:00. That's an order!
[pause]
Lieutenant Alan McGregor: Furthermore, you're improperly dressed!

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Connections

Referenced in The Red Skelton Hour: Lives of a Bungle Lancer (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Mother Machree"
(1910) (uncredited)
Music by Chauncey Olcott and Ernest Ball
Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young
Sung a cappella twice by Franchot Tone with modified lyrics
Played on a pungi by Franchot Tone several times

User Reviews

Pretty good film of the British Raj

Pretty good film. Surprisingly complex characters and plot elements for such an old film. Good action sequences and direction. The only criticism I can think of that I had on viewing this movie isn't even really fair, that the cobra didn't look real. I guess their computer graphics lab wasn't quite up to snuff! If you like old films, this one is worth a look.