The Charge of the Light Brigade
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Actor: Harry Andrews, Jill Bennett, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, Vanessa RedgraveBrand: HOWARD,TREVOR
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 139 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-05-07
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
DVD Reviews of The Charge of the Light Brigade
DVD Review: Glory Examined
Summary: 5 Stars
As a boy, I thrilled to the 1939 film with Errol Flynn and I read Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade" in class. As an adult, I studied the history of the Crimean War (along with other history). I don't know how I missed this film until now.
More accurate by far than the 1939 film, this film examines the claim that glory can be extracted from a series of blunders, incompetences and personality conflicts in the field. Supported by a wonderful caste playing their roles imppecably, this 1968 remake is devoid of the romance or righteousness of the 1939 film. I still love the old one, but more for it's romance than accurracy. This remake does the exact opposite of the Flynn/de Haviland film. Romance is represented here by a desolate one night stand between Cardigan and one of his subbordinate officer's wives who plays the part of an empty headed beast, hungry for a thrill to the point of bloodthirstiness against Trevor Howard's parody of Cardigan as a ridiculous lover/cavalier.
The cartoons are interesting in their style and meaning and their use here causes me to wonder if Monty Python was inspired by their use in this film as it criticizes the ideas of empire and glory. This is a film that could have only emerged from the compost of the Viet-Nam era. I wonder how it was received in England since it criticizes all the old ideas of Empire, Queen, country and British chauvanism. I wonder how much it contributed to the growth of permanent anti-war culture in Britain? I'd love to read a review of this film from 1968.
Few films that claim to be historically based are actually very factual. There are only a few questionable incidents here. I am not sure if the note was written inacurrately, but according to this film, Raglan only ordered an andvance with support that he wasn't sure was there and only assumed Lucan would understand the intention to flank the guns not charge them. This film lays nearly the entire disaster on a Captain Norlan's head. Noland seems to have understood the intention to flank the guns but after goading his superior officers into a straight on charge, seems to have a change of heart once he sees the devastating reality of their course. He charges up and hysterically tries to force Cardigan to ride up the valley he seemed to know Raglan intended. One strength of this film is that it creates a question as to whether anyone attempted to prompt the orders on the field. Captain Noland was either a loose cannon or a scapgoat - we may never know. A good historic film should have this effect - to inspire the acquisition of more historical knowledge.
As for the charge itself, it is done as it should be, with no soundtract so that the viewer may experience the event without any other emotional support. My only complaint is that the retreat was also fired upon and the impression is given here that once the cannon lines were reached all firing by the Russians ceased. Russian calvary did charge in once the guns were breached, but the Brigade was fired upon as it withdrew and the Russians did not pursue. Cardigan is unscathed, but little account is given the viewer as to how that luck transpired. A small group that held to him did reach the guns and retreat out. He must have ultimately been protected by the press of his own men around him. I think the charge itself should have lasted longer since the this is the climax and the film's title. A lot more story could have been portrayed such as Cardigan's ride and the 670 horses and men filmed represented more fully. Think of the effect of a charge that goes on and on to the point that the audience feels that there is no escape.
Ultimately, this is an anti-war film and no surprise here. Perhaps it is a bit exaggerated in some of its scenes, but the point is well made. War is hell and not entertainment as the horrified spectators attending this expedition find. That scene, of the sobering of those who revile in the excitment of war, is well done. Still, the mystery of glory survives. The few men left on their feet volunteer to "go again" prompting Cardigan's gallant understated reply, "No,no, you've done enough today."
Description of The Charge of the Light Brigade
Depicts the British involvment in the Crimean War and the inept leadership of the British officers.Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 7-MAY-2002
Media Type: DVD
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