Beau Geste (1966)

Michael "Beau" Geste leaves England in disgrace and joins the infamous French Foreign Legion. He is reunited with his two brothers in North Africa, where they face greater danger from their... See full summary »

Director:

Douglas Heyes

Writers:

Percival Christopher Wren (novel), Douglas Heyes (screenplay)

Stars:

Guy Stockwell, Doug McClure, Leslie Nielsen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Guy Stockwell	...	Beau Geste
Doug McClure	...	John
Leslie Nielsen	...	Lt. De Ruse
Telly Savalas	...	Sgt. Maj. Dagineau
David Mauro	...	Boldini
Robert Wolders	...	Fouchet
Leo Gordon	...	Krauss
Michael Constantine	...	Rostov
Malachi Throne	...	Kerjacki
Joe De Santis	...	Maj. Beaujolais (as Joe DeSantis)
X Brands	...	Vallejo
Michael Carr	...	Sergeant
George Keymas	...	Platoon sergeant
Patrick Whyte	...	Surgeon
Jeff Nelson

Storyline

Michael "Beau" Geste leaves England in disgrace and joins the infamous French Foreign Legion. He is reunited with his two brothers in North Africa, where they face greater danger from their own sadistic commander than from the rebellious Arabs.

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Plot Keywords:

brother | foreign legion | north africa | jewel theft | arms tied overhead | 

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Genres:

Drama | War | Action | Adventure

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 September 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beau Gest

Filming Locations:

Yuma, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are no female speaking parts in this movie.

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Goofs

Throughout the film the legionnaires wear the collar insignia of the 2nd Regiment of the Foreign Legion (2e REI.) Yet most of their geographic references are to Algeria. When the detachment relieves Ft. Zinderneuf the previous commander's orders are to return to Sidi bel Abbes, the Legion HQ in Algeria. Likewise, during the mutiny the legionnaires discuss escaping across the border to Morocco. Additionally the legionnaires are in combat with the Tuaregs, a Saharan tribe found in Southern Algeria. However, during the period of the film (and throughout the inter-war period) the 2e REI was stationed in Morocco, fighting the Berbers, and not in Algeria, which was instead garrisoned by the 1e RE.

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Quotes

Sergeant Major Dagineau: [to Beau Geste] So, you couldn't wait till my back was turned. Good, because it won't be a bullet you'll get from me, but you'll beg for one before you die. I promise you.

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Connections

Version of Beau Geste (1926)

User Reviews

A good movie on its own merits, too often unfairly dismissed

This one always used to appeared in the TV Guide as "a surprisingly good version". That's understandable, given the casting of Telly Savalas and Doug McClure. It's easy to dismiss it outright based on their reputations, but this movie was made when both were doing movies, before their TV careers, well before Telly started sucking lollipops and saying "who loves ya, baby?", and before Doug's string of truly awful B (or C) movies. Guy Stockwell is fine as the stalwart elder brother, and Leslie Neilsen a surprise as the drunken commanding officer. The plot is straightforward and serviceable, the action is exciting, the set pieces and themes well handled. I saw this movie first as a young man, and was taken by the action. I saw it again when I was a little older, and came to appreciate Telly Savalas' performance (indeed, it's about the only performance from him that I liked). I would watch it any time it was on. I tried the original, 1939 version, but found it too slow and talky for my tastes, like a great many old classics. Having never read the book, I was unoffended by the changes made to the story line. On its own merits, it's a good actioner. I admit I played "Beau Geste" with my Airfix soldiers in the sandbox, pitting the Bedouins against the Legionaries. It was one of those movies that left an indelible impact on my young mind. I wish it would get more consideration than it gets, because I would like for it to come on once in a while still, or be made available on VHS, if not DVD.