THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936) A historical adventure film. It was directed by Michael Curtiz and starred Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. (This was the second of nine films that Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland starred together). With Patric Knowles, Henry Stephenson, Nigel Bruce, Donald Crisp, David Niven, C. Henry Gordon, G.P. Huntley, Robert Barrat, Spring Byington, E.E. Clive, J. Carrol Naish, and Scotty Beckett. Excellent scoring by Max Steiner.The story is very loosely based on the famous Charge of the Light Brigade that took place during the Crimean War (1853–56). Based on the poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Additionally, the story line seems to include the Siege of Cawnpore during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The filmmakers were well aware of the historical inaccuracy of the film and were very open about it. In fact, at the very beginning of the film there is a disclaimer about the historical veracity of the film. When the film comes to a climax at the Battle of Balaclava, director Michael Curtiz, who did not have an excellent command of English, shouted Bring on the empty horses, meaning riderless horses. David Niven used this as the title of his book about the Golden Age of Hollywood. Errol Flynn wrote that the film making was the most physically draining film he ever made. The battlefield set was lined with trip wires to trip the cavalry horses. Killing dozens. The abuse of animals, forced U.S. Congress to ensure the safety of animals in motion pictures. The ASPCA banned trip wires from films in its guidelines as well. Scenes were shot at the following California locations: Lone Pine, Sherwood Lake, Lasky Mesa, Chatsworth (north of LA) and Sonora. The Sierra Nevada mountains were used for the Khyber Pass scenes. Its a grand piece of filmmaking. As a pure adventure yarn, its hard to beat. Nominated for 3 Oscars, Awarded 1.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 05:33:46 +0000
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