I found it hard to watch this movie and not be reminded of "Mutiny On The Bounty." Most noticeably, the two movies were released in the same year (1935) and both included Franchot Tone as a co-star. "Mutiny" was, of course, set on a British naval ship in the South Pacific, "Lives" is set on a British Army post in India. In both movies, Tone finds himself playing alongside better known American actors (Clark Gable in the former, Gary Cooper in this.) And both movies feature a tough as nails disciplinarian as commanding officer (Capt. Bligh, of course, in "Mutiny" and Col. Stone in "Lives.") The similarities between the two was probably what kept occurring to me as I watched this.
"The Lives Of A Bengal Lancer" is essentially about a local tribal chief in India whose goal is to hijack a British munitions train as part of an uprising he's planning against the British - but this really only takes centre stage in the last half hour or so of the movie. Up to that point, I have to confess that I found this rather monotonous. The story introduced a bit of melodrama by having Col. Stone's 21 year old son, freshly graduated from military college) posted as an officer to the regiment. Really, though, there's not a great deal in this opening two thirds or so of the film that justify some of the accolades this film gets as a great action-adventure movie. I will give credit to that last third of the story, though. Once Stone's son is captured by the tribal chief's men and the inevitable attempt at rescue takes place (against Col. Stone's direct orders) the story does get pretty exciting. There's even a somewhat uneasy (although completely non-graphic, because this was 1935) torture scene in which burning bamboo shoots are driven under the captured British officer's fingernails.
The performances in this were fine. Cooper and Tone were both very good in their roles. Cooper's American accent was explained away, I guess, by having his character of Lt. McGregor be identified as a Canadian. The supporting cast was also very good. There are even a couple of prophetic hints in the movie that the British Empire may be starting to fade away (as it indeed would, after the Second World War.) The good last half hour or so of the movie raised it a bit in my estimation, but I have to admit that I can't see what would have made this a worthy nominee for seven Academy Awards. I thought it was a bit of a sleeper with a good finish. (5/10)
"The Lives Of A Bengal Lancer" is essentially about a local tribal chief in India whose goal is to hijack a British munitions train as part of an uprising he's planning against the British - but this really only takes centre stage in the last half hour or so of the movie. Up to that point, I have to confess that I found this rather monotonous. The story introduced a bit of melodrama by having Col. Stone's 21 year old son, freshly graduated from military college) posted as an officer to the regiment. Really, though, there's not a great deal in this opening two thirds or so of the film that justify some of the accolades this film gets as a great action-adventure movie. I will give credit to that last third of the story, though. Once Stone's son is captured by the tribal chief's men and the inevitable attempt at rescue takes place (against Col. Stone's direct orders) the story does get pretty exciting. There's even a somewhat uneasy (although completely non-graphic, because this was 1935) torture scene in which burning bamboo shoots are driven under the captured British officer's fingernails.
The performances in this were fine. Cooper and Tone were both very good in their roles. Cooper's American accent was explained away, I guess, by having his character of Lt. McGregor be identified as a Canadian. The supporting cast was also very good. There are even a couple of prophetic hints in the movie that the British Empire may be starting to fade away (as it indeed would, after the Second World War.) The good last half hour or so of the movie raised it a bit in my estimation, but I have to admit that I can't see what would have made this a worthy nominee for seven Academy Awards. I thought it was a bit of a sleeper with a good finish. (5/10)