The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)

A Disappointing Continuation

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

This film could and really should have a masterpiece. There is a strong sense of period enhanced by what appears to be authentic 19th century barrack room slang and music from the period. It could be argued that the film is rather slow, but to my mind a lingering on the enormous wealth of detail, adds rather than detracts from the film's appeal. There are also many strong performances, in particular, Trevor Howard is imposing as the stubborn commanding officer.Yet I find this film unsatisfying and somewhat boring to watch. The fault, I feel, is that the film's message is hammered home over and over again. A case in point: Howard instructs an inferior officer to spy on David Hemmings. The officer is reluctant and when pressed says he would have to inform Hemmings that he was instructed to spy. He then relates a touching tale of how he has worked his way up and been sober for many years. Howard is completely contemptuous and tells him his career is now in ruins. This scene is highly memorable and moving and had it been left at that, it would have been been effective. We understand the injustice and brutality of ruling elite.However, we immediately see this officer becoming drunk followed by him being horse whipped, something that belabours the message. In another scene an officer is seen trying to subdue a horse through aggression. Hemmings shows up and subdues the horse "through kindness" as he says. Howard immediately flares up when he sees this. And in another, an anti-war protest is violently broken up. Yes we get the message: War is bad, and the military machine is ugly and inhuman. But it need not be repeated over and over again.

I really liked this film the first time I saw it on its original release. It has only improved with age. David Hemmings is terrific as an idealistic young officer railing against the awfulness of the soldiers treatment. Trevor Howard is truly hateful as Lord Cardigan refusing to allow any way but his own cruel, bullying ways as the best incentive for encouraging his men to fight. A towering overblown egoist.Sir John Gielgud is marvellous as an almost permanently confused upper class twit and he steals every scene he is in. A well scripted and wonderfully directed piece of work.

Tony Richardson elects to go with Cecil Woodham Smith's historically accurate book instead of Tennyson's glorifying poem in this version of the oft filmed Charge of the Light Brigade. It is a sprawling epic richly constructed, sumptuously photographed (with some splendid animation interludes) and well acted by a prestigious cast but its lumbering pace removes the urgency from the the build-up and the film staggers.Brigade's anti-war theme deals with the unvarnished state of the military and the disparity between officer and enlisted man leading up to the climactic battle. Officers who live comfortably are petty, vain and incompetent while the enlisted live in cramped unhealthy hovels. It is only on the parade ground or assembling on the battle field they mix as a cohesive and splendid looking unit and Richardson remains intent on getting this across. Trevor Howard and Harry Andrews as the bickering and bumbling officers Cardigan and Lucan are magnificently and maddeningly vainglorious while John Gielguld leads with reticent senility forgetting at times what war and enemy he's fighting. David Watkins lush photography along with David Walker's costumes captures both the romance and the squalor of the Victorian period. The folly of the charge itself is dramatized to maximum effect as it cuts back and forth from the command post and the mayhem in the valley with officers blaming each other for the catastrophe. This version of Charge is clearly a metaphor for it's time (1968). Richardson intently lays his message on thick by portraying the entire officer corps as insensitive and imbecilic posers. The film is closer to the truth and sees the charge for the avoidable tragic waste it is but slows down too often to hammer home its point.

*Spoiler/plot- The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1968, Mid Victorian England circa 1854 vividly contrasts the silliness of aristocracy and the squalor of lower classes. The film's bride innocently displays her primness and naiveté. Shows the context for the British empire in this time of that day.*Special Stars- Trevor Howard, Vanessa Redgrave, John Gielgud, Harry Andrews, Jill Bennett, David Hemmings.*Theme- British army teamwork can conquer overwhelming odds. But sometimes the battlefield gives out no justice.*Trivia/location/goofs- British, 3500 historic uniforms made for this film. Clever use of animated news cartoons to tell the diplomatic & military positions in this story.*Emotion- A visually beautiful film of color, sounds, and action. Lead military men are driven by arrogance, ineptitude, and overzealousness. There is no humor or glory in the final charge that is a testament to military blind obedience and realism. Gives you more history on the famous poem of that Victorian imperial era. I got a chance to view this film just recently. I had not known about it before this date. I fully enjoy these types of films, costume dramas within a historical background. I liked Micheal Caine's first film, "Zulu". I am a history buff of the Napoleonic Wars like the TV show "Sharpes' Rifles" and "Horacio Hornblower". This lush and colorful film is wonderfully casted by the English movie greats. Today we will never see the likes of this film casting again. The history of this film might be somewhat trivial but the drama of the war's situations is tragically shown in this film. I enjoyed it. The tone of this film is seen as 'anti-war' with it's playing up the absurdities of Victorian culture over the back drop of the seriousness of war.