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:

deception | lancer | attack | india | massacre | 

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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

The poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, is superimposed over the action in the final scenes of the film.

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.

Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd;

When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd. Honor the charge they made! Honor the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred.

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Goofs

When Randall is preparing to go over the wall to Lahara, a lighting effect is used to suggest clouds passing in front of the moon, so the amount of light varies. However, the effect is interrupted as Randall puts on his hat.

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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 prologue: A convoy of British Lancers escorting Sir Humphrey Harcourt on an important diplomatic mission into Suristan.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in Wonder Woman: Pot of Gold (1978)

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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.