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Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Patric Knowles, Henry Stephenson, Donald Crisp ... see more see more... , Nigel Bruce , David Niven , Robert H. Barrat , Spring Byington , E.E. Clive , Lumsden Hare , J. Carrol Naish , Walter Holbrook , Princess Baigum , Charles Sedgwick , Scotty Beckett , George Regas , Colin Kenny , Gordon Hart , Helen Sanborn , Jimmy Aubrey , Dick Botiller , Phyllis Coghlan , Denis D'Auburn , Herbert Evans , G.P. Huntley , Martin Garralaga , C. Henry Gordon , Holmes Herbert , Brandon Hurst , Boyd Irwin , Crauford Kent , Charles Croker King , Frank Lackteen , Wilfred Lucas , Lal Chand Mehra , Carlyle Moore Jr. , Georges Renavent , Harry Semels , Reginald Sheffield , Ram Singh , C. Aubrey Smith , George Sorel , Arthur Thalasso , David Thursby , Michael Visaroff , Jack Curtis , George David , Carlos San Martin

Of the many film versions of Alfred Lord Tennyson's narrative poem, 1936's Charge of the Light Brigade has the least relationship to the facts concerning the famous 19th century British military blund... read more read more...er in the Crimea. Reflecting the popularity of 1935's Lives of A Bengal Lancer, the film uses the climactic charge as the culmination of events which begin in British India. Errol Flynn and Patric Knowles are cast as cavalry officers who are also brothers; both love Olivia De Havilland, but it is Knowles who wins out (this should tip us off that the rest of the film is pure fantasy). Indian potentate C. Henry Gordon, angered that the British government has cut off his subsidy, stages a revolt against the English settlements. Ordered on maneuvers, Flynn is unable to bring rescue troops to the besieged fort commanded by De Havilland's father. Gordon supervises the slaughter of every man, woman and child at the fort, then leaves India in the company of his Russian advisors. Flynn and his fellow Light Brigade lancers are then transferred to the Crimea--where, as luck would have it, Gordon is now ensconced with the Russians. Thirsting for revenge, Flynn falsifies an official order so that he and the Light Brigade can battle Gordon and his allies at Balaclava (thus are Britons Lord Cardigan and Lord Ragan, the actual instigators of the doomed charge, exonerated). As passages from the Tennyson poem are superimposed on the action, Flynn leads a suicidal charge against the Russians; he manages to kill the treacherous Gordon before being slain himself. Its dozens of historical inaccuracies aside, The Charge of the Light Brigade is rousing entertainment. Animal lovers be warned, however: several horses were killed during the climactic charge, a fact that compelled Hollywood (under the auspices of the ASPCA) to install safer and more stringent standards concerning the treatment of animals. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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66% liked it

668 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Release Date: January 1, 1936

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DVD Release Date: March 27, 2007

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Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn Charge of the Light Brigade Charge of the Light Brigade Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn Charge of the Light Brigade Henry Stephenson
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Flixster Reviews (62)

  • ajv2688
    October 20, 2010
    ajv2688
    First of all, movies like these are super boring, and this one is no exception. Of course there is a good cast, but I wasn't impressed by any of their performances enough to like the movie. The only good thing is that I learned about a war I'd never heard of before.
  • jjnxn
    January 22, 2010
    jjnxn
    A good entry for Errol and Olivia even if they are not paired romantically. Dodge City is still their best but this has well done action scenes and a fine supporting cast with Spring Byington making something enjoyable out of a nothing part.
  • phubbs1
    July 14, 2009
    phubbs1
    One of Errol's early films in a time when shooting wild cats or even pretending to was seen as fine and displayed with glee, I was surprised how much of the film is quite dark to be honest, the massacre at Chukoti (made up) is not bloody of course but its pretty graphic as is the... read more final charge where horses are clearly throw all over the place (200 actual horses were killed during filming) and the stunt men must have earned their pay phew!!

    Yes an earlier time for sure, animal rights stepped in to halt filming with the horrendous horse massacre on location but the fact they still got away with it and were able to even start shows a different attitude which does cast a nasty spell over this film. The final charge sequence is very good for a film of the this time but its clear where horses have died for the screen, impressive stunts and action but is it worth it??

    As for the film its pretty dull throughout haha much loving between Havilland and Knowles, much war talk with Flynn and plenty of stiff upper lip old boy. The usual contracted players as mentioned, they all go well together and shows why Warner stuck them together for many more pictures, despite the fictional sub plots and characters this does play well if you can take all the talking, as with modern films you are waiting for the final big push and charge. This is where it gets more exciting and our swashbuckling hero Errol begins to shine :) but not for long hehe

    Looks good, great garrison sets (actually built for real) amid the scorching heat, costumes are superb as expected and acting is solid from all the cast with solid direction from Warner stalwart Curtiz, its just abit boring to be honest.
  • inhonoredglory
    March 24, 2012
    inhonoredglory
    Errol Flynn - you just can't beat it. This one is more serious than his later pictures, coming just after his early shows. The uniforms are striking and dashing, the military bearing, always attractive. The story follows English soldiers in India before the famed and failed Charg... read moree of the Light Brigade. History is sweeping at the start; midway, the story buckles down and gets moving at a great pace, riding towards the end and the culmination of conflicts. A love triangle (with Olivia de Havilland) was incorporated into the tale to give unity to the sprawling years, and the scar between brothers (Flynn and Patric Knowles) was touching. The history is skewed incredibly, offering hope of purpose to the fated Charge and giving noble motive of retribution to their decision. But, still, the story was moving all the same, and Flynn, as charming as ever.
  • jackgiantkillr
    July 26, 2009
    jackgiantkillr
    One of my faves. Once again, history is played with fairly loosely, but the last battle sequence, which killed a couple of horses I believe, is worth the price of admission.
  • Nobodyworrthwhile
    March 9, 2009
    Nobodyworrthwhile
    Charge of the Light Brigade- The real reason I saw this movie *cackles* was because of Patric Knowles. He was a wonderful actor, but did not receive the acknowledgment and fame that I would have him have. It was a nice change to see Olivia's character in love with someone beside ... read moreErrol Flynn's character.
  • StairwayToTheStars
    April 4, 2008
    StairwayToTheStars
    Patric Knowles has the award winning performance and this is what the five stars is for. I loved it that she (Olivia's charactor) and Patric Knowles character are in love.
  • etkaiser
    December 27, 2007
    etkaiser
    Although hundreds of poor horses were killed in the filming and the treatment of the animals in general was apparently rather bad, it's a good movie.

View All Charge of the Light Brigade Reviews

Critic Reviews

John J. Puccio
March 27, 2007
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...what a grand piece of filmmaking it is, and as a pure adventure yarn, it's hard to beat. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
August 21, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It climaxes in a rousing battle scene of the famous Light Brigade charge. Full Review

Steve Crum
December 19, 2005
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Great Flynn, great action sequences, but pretty dated.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Frank S. Nugent
March 25, 2006
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times

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Emanuel Levy
June 13, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Christopher Null
January 27, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

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May 24, 2003
Film4

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  • Who plays the first character to die in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)?  Answer »
  • Name the actress who appeared in ALL of the following films: - - Gone With The Wind - The Charge Of The Light Brigade - The Swarm - Airport 77 - The Strawberry Blonde  Answer »
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