![]() Both are excellent and true to life their characters more concerned about who gives the orders to whom and who is in overall command, rather than concentrating on the battle itself or giving thought to the men they are supposedly in charge of and responsible for. Trevor Howard and Harry Andrews play squabbling brothers-in-law (Lord Cardigan and Lord Lucan respectively). Sir John Gielgud is annoyingly convincing as the incredibly imperceptive, aloof and near senile Lord Raglan (Fitzroy James Henry Somerset), who was ultimately held responsible for issuing the order for the brigade to charge the Russian guns. Three such characters were portrayed wonderfully by esteemed British actors in Richardson’s movie. These individuals were full of their own importance, never giving a thought for the down rankers who looked to them for guidance and support. Wealthy individuals with no military understanding at all would at times go as far as buying the regiment that they wanted to be associated with, appointing themselves as commander. Buying Commissions was something that happened regularly in Victorian England. ![]() Richardson also grasped upon every opportunity that was possible to show the inept and erroneous policies and practices of the British government of the time, who were willing, it seemed, to entrust the lives of thousands of soldiers to inexperienced officers who in many cases had not earned but purchased their commissions in the army. The director did however, manage to infuse segments of comedy and snippets of satire which lightened the mood of the movie and bought an air of normality to the proceedings. Richardson wanted to call the movie THE REASON WHY, maybe in an attempt to un-glorify the events of the day and highlight its pitfalls and deadly mistakes. Richardson’s vision of the story purveyed war to be what it is in reality – brutal, bloody, pointless, chaotic and full of carnage and mayhem, eschewing any Hollywood glitter or dressing up of events. Its saving grace being the spectacular charge of the brigade filmed by Michael Curtiz, which was realistic and stirring. Although referred to as a classic, it is by today’s standards rather subdued, containing wooden performances and also grossly historically incorrect in places. The Hollywood version released by Warner Brothers in 1936 was basically a vehicle for screen heart-throb Errol Flynn, who was the movies principal player. The film was completely removed from the Americanised, cliché-filled original big screen treatment of the events on that fateful day. Tony Richardson’s movie is an archetypal analysis of the futility of war and the horrors inflicted on the average but courageous man who goes to fight in the name of his country and sovereign only to be let down and forgotten by both. In the final battle, all the soldiers had to protect themselves was their nerve, unwavering patriotism and faith. By the time they arrived on the battleground much of their equipment had been either lost, or was no longer in working order. ![]() Diseases such as cholera took a heavy toll upon the ranks. Inadequate weapons, camouflage, food supplies, health care, weather conditions and lack of even basic communications hampered the expeditionary force and many soldiers fell ill or perished before they even reached the battlefield. Russian jurisdiction over this particular area would have badly affected British and French sea routes that were vital to both countries economies. The two then super powers had formed an alliance in order to aid Turkey in their struggle against superior Russian forces who had invaded their country in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles. The expedition to the Crimea was marred by an incredible lack of forethought, tactics or preparation by both the British and French military and their respective governments. It is still considered to be among the most supreme military blunders in history, and one of many that befell the British military during the reign of Queen Victoria, the events of the episode being immortalized in the celebrated poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. The Charge of the Light Brigade was a notorious incident that took place at the battle of Balaklava (Ukraine) during the Crimean War in the October of 1854. Released on Quartet records QRSCE010, in 2010. ![]()
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