Bengali (1935)

Bengali: Directed by Henry Hathaway. With Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell, Guy Standing. Three British soldiers on the Northwest Frontier of India struggle against the enemy – and themselves.

“British India – the Northwest Frontier. Three comrades-in-arms, officers of the elite Lancers Corps, are part of the great Army machine that protects the Raj from warring princes u0026amp; rebellious tribes. Of immediate concern is the black-hearted ruler conspiring to obtain two million rounds of ammunition. If he succeeds, war is inevitable. Meanwhile, the stern old Lancers colonel has difficulties in dealing with his energetic young officers, one of whom is his own alienated son. During the trials that lie ahead they will exhibit courage, camaraderie u0026amp; competition, all qualities that make up THE LIVES OF A BENGAL LANCER.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNot just a great adventure epic, this film deals with the tough questions raised by bonds fraternal u0026amp; familial. What does it mean to be loyal to oneu0026#39;s friends? What affection should a father exhibit for his son? What does one do when duty u0026amp; friendship collide? Beyond all that, the movie is simply fun…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGary Cooper, here playing a Canadian-Scots, is excellent as the veteran lieutenant, but Franchot Tone matches him in every way as the feisty new subaltern. Together they make a great pair of movie companions – their u0026#39;snake charmingu0026#39; scene is priceless. Richard Cromwell, as the military school graduate, is also very good. The fine supporting cast includes Douglass Dumbrille, Akim Tamiroff, Lumsden Hare, Nobel Johnson, J. Carroll Naish, Monte Blue, Mischa Auer u0026amp; especially wonderful old Sir C. Aubrey Smith, as the major of the regiment.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eComment should be made of Sir Guy Standing, tremendous here as the Regimental Colonel. Sir Guy was a distinguished stage actor from London, who, like many other British theatrical performers, came to Hollywood to make a living in the movie business. At Paramount Studios he quickly established himself as a very fine character actor and from 1933 to 1937 he appeared in 18 films. Tragically, all came to an end in 1937, when he died in the Hollywood Hills, the victim of a rattlesnake bite.”