The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936)

A major countermands orders and attacks to avenge a previous massacre of men, women, and children.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Alfred Lord Tennyson (poem), Michael Jacoby (original story) (as Michel Jacoby)

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Patric Knowles

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Errol Flynn	...	Maj. Geoffrey Vickers
Olivia de Havilland	...	Elsa Campbell (as Olivia De Havilland)
Patric Knowles	...	Capt. Perry Vickers
Henry Stephenson	...	Sir Charles Macefield
Nigel Bruce	...	Sir Benjamin Warrenton
Donald Crisp	...	Col. Campbell
David Niven	...	Capt. Randall
C. Henry Gordon	...	Surat Khan
G.P. Huntley	...	Maj. Jowett (as G. P. Huntley Jr.)
Robert Barrat	...	Count Igor Volonoff
Spring Byington	...	Lady Octavia Warrenton
E.E. Clive	...	Sir Humphrey Harcourt
J. Carrol Naish	...	Subadar-Major Puran Singh (as J. Carroll Naish)
Walter Holbrook	...	Cornet Barclay
Princess Baba	...	Prema's Mother (as Princess Baigum)

Storyline

Major Vickers is an officer at the 27th Lancers in India 1856. When the regiment is on maneuver, the barracks are attacked by Surat Khan and his soldiers who massacre British women and children. This leaves an inextinguishable memory and Vickers promises to revenge the dead.

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Plot Keywords:

lancer | attack | india | massacre | fort | 

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Taglines:

The reckless lancers sweep on and on - so that a woman's heart might not be broken! You're not fighting a single legion - you're fighting the entire British army, Surat Khan!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Carga da Brigada Ligeira

Filming Locations:

Agoura Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 100 min (re-cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the climactic charge, the musical score includes several samples from Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture"--written to commemorate an entirely different battle in a different war which, unlike the battle depicted in this film, Russia won.

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Goofs

In the forged order, Vickers writes: "Upon receipt of this order, you will advance the Light Brigade and take enemy position on Balaklava Heights." When his superior officer reads it aloud, he says: "Upon receipt of this order, the Light Brigade will advance and take the enemy position on Balaklava Heights."

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sir Humphrey Harcourt: How do you fellows manage to look so comfortably, Vickers?
Maj. Geoffrey Vickers: We may look it Sir, but we're not. They say the first 40 years are about the hottest up here on the frontier, after that you get used to it.
Sir Humphrey Harcourt: Really?

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: This production has its basis in history. The historical basis, however, has been fictionized for the purposes of this picture and the names of many characters, many characters themselves, the story, incidents and institutions, are fictitious. With the exception of known historical characters, whose actual names are herein used, no identification with actual persons, living or dead, is intended or should be inferred.

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Connections

Featured in The Adventures of Errol Flynn (2005)

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Soundtracks

God Save the Tsar
(1833) (uncredited)
(Russian national anthem, 1833-1917)
Music by Alexis Lvov
In the score during the charge at Balaklava

User Reviews

The usual polished and impeccable Warner Brothers production values as well as their usual disdain for history!

In the mid 1930s and well into the 40s, Warner Brothers made many fine films starring Errol Flynn that were very high on production values and fun but also of dubious historical value. While historically speaking this is not the worst of the lot (that honor goes to SANTA FE TRAIL), this film doesn't seem to have a lot to do with the Tennyson poem or the Crimean War and in fact, much of the movie is set around the same region of the world as GUNGA DIN--around Pakistan or Afghanistan. So, assuming you aren't looking for a history lesson, the film is packed full of excellent acting, sets and fast-paced fun. Part of the reason I particularly liked it was because it teamed Errol Flynn with Olivia de Havilland--a wonderful combination that began with CAPTAIN BLOOD and lasted for seven films. So, if you like this film, check out all their other films together--especially CAPTAIN BLOOD and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. Their chemistry was always excellent and it is further enhanced by such wonderful supporting actors as Henry Stephenson, Nigel Bruce, Donald Crisp and David Niven.