IMDb > The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   950 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Charles Wood (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Charge of the Light Brigade on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 October 1968 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
"Theirs not to reason why..."
Plot:
A chronicle of events that led to the British involvement in the Crimean War against Russia and which... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 6 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Superb period details more (33 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Trevor Howard ... Lord Cardigan

Vanessa Redgrave ... Mrs. Clarissa Morris

John Gielgud ... Lord Raglan
Harry Andrews ... Lord Lucan
Jill Bennett ... Mrs. Fanny Duberly
David Hemmings ... Capt. Louis Edward Nolan
Ben Aris ... Capt. Fitz Maxse
Mickey Baker ... Trooper Metcalfe (as Micky Baker)
Peter Bowles ... Paymaster Capt. Henry Duberly
Leo Britt ... Gen. Scarlett
Mark Burns ... Capt. William Morris
John J. Carney ... Trooper Mitchell (as John Carney)
Helen Cherry ... Lady Scarlett
Chris Chittell ... Trooper (as Christopher Chittel)
Ambrose Coghill ... Lt. Col. Douglas
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
139 min | West Germany:112 min (theatrical version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Hallam's first film. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the first battle, the British infantry's bayonets can be seen wriggling as the soldiers advance - showing that they are rubber rather than steel. more
Quotes:
Lord Raglan: It will be a sad day for England when her armies are officered by men who know too well what they are doing- it smacks of murder. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
Superb period details, 3 November 2004
Author: Vaughan Birbeck from Scarborough, England

We have to wait nearly two hours for the eponymous event which climaxes this film. Prior to this we see a series of apparently unconnected episodes which give the viewer an insight into the workings of Victorian society, including anti-intellectuallism and idleness among the 'upper' classes, and brutality and theft among the 'scum' recruited in the slums.

While almost plot less this section of the film does follow a core of characters whose lives are connected by army service. The main character is Captain Louis Nolan, an idealistic professional in an army of amateurs. "England is looking well" he says in the first scene of the film. The irony is that the country that looks so good is a cruel and mismanaged place. Unlike his fellow officers, who have bought their posts, he has worked his way up the ranks of the Indian Army by merit. He despises them and they feel he isn't a 'gentleman'.

Nolan has very definite views on how war should be fought. Faced with the reality of battle and the inadequacies of the commanders (the senile Raglan and the childish Lucan and Cardigan) his impatience and temper have tragic consequences as he impetuously points the Light Brigade ("There, my Lord, is your enemy, there are your guns!") towards the bloody fiasco of which he is the first victim. The man who seems to know best makes the biggest blunder of all. Eye-witnesses said the hideous scream Nolan gave when he was hit stayed with them all their lives and the film re-creates it in a truly chilling way.

Although the film does reflect 1960's attitudes to war and politics (and I actually prefer these to the attitudes of the 21st Century) its setting is so perfectly realized that it hasn't dated as a '60s film'. In fact it seems better with the passage of time. If you can free yourself from the idea of a narrative history and give yourself up to a series of impressions which add new layers of understanding 'Charge of the Light Brigade' makes a fine historical film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (33 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
in the end, at who's feet did the blame fall? froggyar324
Certain Character bkc6696
The other Tennyson poem theowinthrop
Well at least the battle of the alma was accurate... joe1944uk
Cardigan + Mrs Duberly persistenceofvision
Disappointing Cut for DVD peterashley
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey Zulu Joyeux Noël Billy Budd Gallipoli
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.