The Charge of the Light Brigade

Cast & Crew

Errol Flynn

Major Geoffrey Vickers

Olivia de Havilland

Elsa Campbell

Patric Knowles

Captain Perry Vickers

Donald Crisp

Colonel Campbell

Henry Stephenson

Sir Charles Macefield

Nigel Bruce

Sir Benjamin Warrenton

David Niven

Captain James Randall

G.P. Huntley

Major Jowett

Spring Byington

Lady Octavia Warrenton

C. Henry Gordon

Surat Khan

E.E. Clive

Sir Humphrey Harcourt

Lumsden Hare

Colonel Woodward (uncredited)

Robert Barrat

Count Igor Volonoff

Walter Holbrook

Cornet Charles Barclay

J. Carrol Naish

Subahdar-Major Puran Singh

Scotty Beckett

Prema Singh

Michael Curtiz

Director

Samuel Bischoff

Producer

Michael Jacoby

Screenwriter

Rowland Leigh

Screenwriter

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Critic Reviews for The Charge of the Light Brigade

Audience Reviews for The Charge of the Light Brigade

• Mar 24, 2018

  there's little fact here in this, a golden age of Hollywood historical retelling of an actual military blunder made famous by a bit of flag waving poetry, but what matter? Flynn and de Havilland reteam with Michael curtiz, my fav golden age director, to mumble some more about "England! homeland! forever!" whilst brushing off the dust of dealing with some dirty and ungrateful third world types. it all leads invariably, to the charge at the end, which should serve as a lesson about trusting the military but instead plays like a parade into Valhalla.
  

  kevin w Super Reviewer
• Oct 20, 2010

  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.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Jan 22, 2010

  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.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Jul 04, 2009

  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 final charge where horses are clearly throw all over the place (200 actual horses were killed during filming). The stunt men must have earned their pay, yikes!! 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, much loving between Havilland and Knowles, much war talk with Flynn and plenty of the '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. 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 a bit boring to be honest.
  

  philip h Super Reviewer