The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968 film): Difference between revisions
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The film is about the poor state of the British Army's leadership during the [[Crimean War]], as witnessed by a relatively competent officer, [[Louis Nolan|Capt. Nolan]]. Numerous misuses of military power culminate in the famously brave but foolish [[Charge of the Light Brigade]], in which feuds and misunderstandings among four officers (including the protagonist) inadvertently send a cavalry [[brigade]] to disaster. |
The film is about the poor state of the British Army's leadership during the [[Crimean War]], as witnessed by a relatively competent officer, [[Louis Nolan|Capt. Nolan]]. Numerous misuses of military power culminate in the famously brave but foolish [[Charge of the Light Brigade]], in which feuds and misunderstandings among four officers (including the protagonist) inadvertently send a cavalry [[brigade]] to disaster. |
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The commander-in-chief, [[FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan|Lord Raglan]], is at a higher elevation than his troops; he can see the entire Russian disposition, whereas the cavalry below him in the valley cannot, as their line of sight is blocked by the ridge upon which Raglan sat. Ambiguously-drafted orders cause [[James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan|Lord Cardigan]]'s Light Brigade to charge in the wrong direction into heavy enemy fire; Raglan was referring to the valley on his right, however, Cardigan could only see the valley to his left. Captain Nolan, who brings Cardigan the orders, gestured wildly toward the Russians in frustration at his superior's hesitation instead of providing a proper explanation. Nolan realizes Cardigan's error at the last moment and rides in front of the lines in an attempt to have the brigade wheel right, but is killed by the first volley of canister shot; Cardigan ignores Nolan's desperate pleas to change direction, believing that he was trying to usurp command of the charge from him. Cardigan afterwards tries to place the blame on [[George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan|Lord Lucan]], commander of the Cavalry Division and Cardigan's immediate superior, for not seeking clarification of the orders (Cardigan and Lucan detested one another). |
The commander-in-chief, [[FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan|Lord Raglan]], is at a higher elevation than his troops; he can see the entire Russian disposition, whereas the cavalry below him in the valley cannot, as their line of sight is blocked by the ridge upon which Raglan sat. Ambiguously-drafted orders cause [[James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan|Lord Cardigan]]'s Light Brigade to charge in the wrong direction into heavy enemy fire; Raglan was referring to the valley on his right, however, Cardigan could only see the valley to his left. Captain Nolan, who brings Cardigan the orders, gestured wildly toward the Russians in frustration at his superior's hesitation instead of providing a proper explanation. Nolan realizes Cardigan's error at the last moment and rides in front of the lines in an attempt to have the brigade wheel right, but is killed by the first volley of canister shot; Cardigan ignores Nolan's desperate pleas to change direction, believing that he was trying to usurp command of the charge from him. Cardigan afterwards tries to place the blame on [[George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan|Lord Lucan]], commander of the Cavalry Division and Cardigan's immediate superior, for not seeking clarification of the orders (Cardigan and Lucan detested one another); Lucan in turn tries to pass the blame to Raglan and Raglan to his subordinate, who had drafted the order. |
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Most of the Brigade's [[Aristocracy (class)|aristocratic]] officers are depicted as incompetent, concerned with appearances over substance and casual about wasting the lives of their subordinates. The film repeatedly [[Juxtaposition|juxtaposes]] the comforts enjoyed by the army leaders with the squalor and brutal discipline inflicted on the common soldiers. |
Most of the Brigade's [[Aristocracy (class)|aristocratic]] officers are depicted as incompetent, concerned with appearances over substance and casual about wasting the lives of their subordinates. The film repeatedly [[Juxtaposition|juxtaposes]] the comforts enjoyed by the army leaders with the squalor and brutal discipline inflicted on the common soldiers. |
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Revision as of 00:02, 21 October 2012
| The Charge of the Light Brigade | |
|---|---|
| File:The Charge of the Light Brigade .jpeg DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Tony Richardson |
| Written by | Charles Wood John Osborne |
| Produced by | Neil Hartley |
| Starring | Trevor Howard John Gielgud Vanessa Redgrave Harry Andrews Jill Bennett David Hemmings Alan Dobie Norman Rossington |
| Cinematography | David Watkin |
| Edited by | Kevin Brownlow Hugh Raggett |
| Music by | John Addison |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 139 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6.5 million[1] |
The Charge of the Light Brigade is a 1968 British war film made by Woodfall Film Productions and distributed by United Artists. It was directed by Tony Richardson and produced by Neil Hartley.
Screenplay
The screenplay was written by Charles Wood from a first draft (uncredited) by John Osborne. It aimed to be brutally authentic, based in part on the research in Cecil Woodham-Smith's The Reason Why (1953). The film included animations by Richard Williams, based on the contemporary graphic style of Punch Magazine, in order to explain the political events surrounding the battle. The music score was by John Addison and the cinematography by David Watkin.
Cast
| Trevor Howard | Lord Cardigan |
| Vanessa Redgrave | Clarissa |
| John Gielgud | Lord Raglan |
| Harry Andrews | Lord Lucan |
| Mark Burns | Captain Morris |
| Jill Bennett | Mrs. Fanny Duberly |
| David Hemmings | Capt. Nolan |
Cast notes
Laurence Harvey had originally purchased the film rights for The Reason Why for his own production company and Joseph E. Levine. At the conclusion of a lengthy settlement in Richardson's favour, Harvey demanded a role in the film. He was given the role of Prince Radziwell, a Polish officer with the Heavy Brigade, but his part was edited out of the completed film.[2]
Christopher Plummer was initially cast as Cardigan but backed out at the last minute. Ian Holm also turned down a supporting role.
The director's daughters, Joely Richardson and Natasha Richardson, appeared in the film in very small uncredited roles.
Themes
The film is about the poor state of the British Army's leadership during the Crimean War, as witnessed by a relatively competent officer, Capt. Nolan. Numerous misuses of military power culminate in the famously brave but foolish Charge of the Light Brigade, in which feuds and misunderstandings among four officers (including the protagonist) inadvertently send a cavalry brigade to disaster.
The commander-in-chief, Lord Raglan, is at a higher elevation than his troops; he can see the entire Russian disposition, whereas the cavalry below him in the valley cannot, as their line of sight is blocked by the ridge upon which Raglan sat. Ambiguously-drafted orders cause Lord Cardigan's Light Brigade to charge in the wrong direction into heavy enemy fire; Raglan was referring to the valley on his right, however, Cardigan could only see the valley to his left. Captain Nolan, who brings Cardigan the orders, gestured wildly toward the Russians in frustration at his superior's hesitation instead of providing a proper explanation. Nolan realizes Cardigan's error at the last moment and rides in front of the lines in an attempt to have the brigade wheel right, but is killed by the first volley of canister shot; Cardigan ignores Nolan's desperate pleas to change direction, believing that he was trying to usurp command of the charge from him. Cardigan afterwards tries to place the blame on Lord Lucan, commander of the Cavalry Division and Cardigan's immediate superior, for not seeking clarification of the orders (Cardigan and Lucan detested one another); Lucan in turn tries to pass the blame to Raglan and Raglan to his subordinate, who had drafted the order.
Most of the Brigade's aristocratic officers are depicted as incompetent, concerned with appearances over substance and casual about wasting the lives of their subordinates. The film repeatedly juxtaposes the comforts enjoyed by the army leaders with the squalor and brutal discipline inflicted on the common soldiers.
Recognition
The Charge of the Light Brigade was nominated for six BAFTA Film Awards, but failed to win in any category. It was criticized for presenting an impulsive and haughty Captain Louis Nolan as a hero[citation needed] and an officer's adventurous wife Fanny Duberly as unfaithful and eager for carnage.[3]
The film was produced during a time of public frustration over the Vietnam War, and it has been argued that in retrospect it can be seen as a warning against military interventions in other lands, such as NATO's Kosovo War.[4]
Departures from history
For plot purposes, the film incorrectly portrays its protagonist Captain Nolan at the centre of the 'black bottle' affair, when Moselle wine was ordered for a guest rather than the champagne that Lord Cardigan had required. The officer actually concerned was Captain John Reynolds.
In the film all of the Light Brigade regiments are outfitted with cherry coloured breeches when only the 11th Hussars wore breeches of that colour. Officers and troopers of the other four regiments wore dark blue breeches, with double yellow stripes, or in the case of the 17th Lancers, double white stripes. In one scene a single trooper of the 17th is correctly attired.[citation needed]
Locations
The scene where troopers rush into position to salute Cardigan as he takes a morning walk with his dogs was shot at 6 Carlton House Terrace, St James's, London, a few doors along from the earl's actual London residence of 17 Carlton House Terrace.[5] Other London street scenes were filmed in the Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich. The Royal Mint, opposite The Tower of London, represented Horseguards, the headquarters of the Army.[6] The barracks scenes in the first half of the film were filmed at Aldershot in Hampshire,[citation needed] while the 'Crimea' scenes, including the Charge itself, were filmed in Turkey[7] with the action sequences directed by Bob Simmons.
References
- ^ Alexander Walker, Hollywood, England, Stein and Day, 1974 p367
- ^ pp 35-36 Welsh, James Michael & Tibbetts, John C. The Cinema of Tony Richardson: Essays and Interviews SUNY Press, 1999
- ^ Fraser, George MacDonald (1986). The Hollywood History of the World. London: Michael Joseph. p. 161. ISBN 0-7181-2997-0.
I don't know on what authority Mrs Duberly can be accused of misconduct, but if none exists (and I have heard of none) then her portrayal in the film is inexcusable
- ^ Connelly, Mark (2003). "The Charge of the Light Brigade, Warner Brothers, 1936". The Charge of the Light Brigade. London: I B Taurus. pp. 55–58, 67. ISBN 1-86064-612-3.
- ^ "Carlton House Terrace and Carlton Gardens". Survey of London, Volume 20. British History Online. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
- ^ James, Simon (2007). London Film Location Guide. London: Batsford. pp. 89, 176, 191. ISBN 0-7134-9062-4.
- ^ Connelly, Mark Thomas (2003). The Charge of the Light Brigade. London: I. B. Tauris. pp. 27–31. ISBN 1-86064-612-3.
External links