Sadly it’s an overlooked and underrated film (not in the TSPDT top 1000 and it should be)
A very British film
Described accurately as a “ripping good yarn”. Solid adventure film
Notable for the early use (any time we’re in the 30’s it’s early) of technicolor
Best of the 3 versions of the film- the latest starred Heath Ledger and Wes Bentley
A meditation on bravery and cowardice
The red coast of the British troops absolutely pop here in technicolor
More serious than Gunga din
The two standouts in the cast here are Aubrey Smith (great shot of him waiving his son off to war with pride) who is a great storyteller and perfectly cast and Ralph Richardson. There’s a great scene of a blind Richardson touching the flame—he’s given the best role and knocks it out
Notable for the scope- lots of extras—and location- shot on location in the Sudan
The film really expands in these scenes – lots of long shots
There is a long gorgeous river scene where Henry slips into the country
A very large real rock mountain set piece is a highlight
I see gunga din, but I also see the revenant as well (survival on your own) and a bit of Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia (extras and some long shot staging—I see it in Kurosawa’s Ran as well)—aerial filmmaking
It’s a rousing call to your brother’s aid here in 1939 WW2
The film is serious in tone throughout and there’s an unfortunate choice here by Korda to end the film with comedy (Henry spoiling the 3rd retelling of an old war story told by Aubrey Smith)
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