issjax

ok...we're goin' way back for this one...i don't believe i've seen it in two decades. i recall it from the telly, and it may not be available on tape or dvd. i thought the movie in question was zulu...but i saw it tonight and realize i don't know what i'm looking for.
most probably in b&w, british officers? facing overwhelming odds probably during the anglo-zulu wars and the stiff upper lip mentality. most of it seems to take place indoors at the officer's quarters common area as the character's discuss the situation...as chinks in their egos crack open. the character that made the most lasting impression on me was the sgt. major, who, as i recall was a loud, by the book, pip-pip, "gung-ho", marching everywhere kinda guy. it may not be a british film per se, but the portrayals are of british or scottish or maybe aussie persons. it would make a dandy play!

[ 19. March 2004, 16:59: Message edited by: DB7 ]

dylan

Sounds like Guns at Batasi with Richard Attenborough as the Sgt. Major except that was set in the 1960s.

Lord Brett

Yes, that sounds right to me, also.

Richard Attenborough's character of the Sgt. Major was, believe it or not, the direct inspiration for the character of Higgins in Magnum p.i.

On a more serious note, I beieve that this was the last film Jack Hawkins made before his diagnosis of lung cancer. His voice is noticably horse throughout the film.

As I rememner, the film itself is excellent.

issjax

THANK YOU!!!!! The film apparently is not available on dvd or video...but i saw some lobby cards from the film on the web and it indeed does seem to be the movie i'm looking for. i believe it may have been colorized in any current incarnations so i'll be turning off the color guns on my tv so i can see it again in all it's monochromatic glory! i would love to get a heads up if there's a copy about somewhere or if anyone can tell me when it will be on american tv again! best regards and thanks again!

Lord Brett

Apologies, I meant, of course, that Jack Hawkins was diagnosed with thoat cancer, not lung cancer.

Brian Brandt

This movie is available on video. I rented it by mail a few months ago from www.bestvideo.com. They are located in Connecticut, so the format is compatible with U.S. machines. They give you plenty of time to watch and return.

Their deal is $20.00 for the first two rentals, a third rental for $5.00 more.

When you watch the movie, look for the framed picture - hanging behind the bar in the N.C.O. mess - of a young Queen Elizabeth. She's riding 'Burmese,' her favorite horse, which was a gift from the R.C.M.P.

dylan

I love Sgt. Major Lauderdale's rap in the Mess:

*I have seen Calcutta. I have eaten camel dung. My knees are brown, my navel is central, my conscience is clear, and my will is with my solicitors, Short and Curly.*

Brian Brandt

The Sergeant major is indeed, a piece of work.

Yvonne

[quote]Originally posted by issjax:
. I believe it may have been colorized in any current incarnations so i'll be turning off the color guns on my tv so i can see it again in all it's monochromatic glory!


Sure you didn't just watch it originally on a b/w telly?

Yvonne

issjax

that's certainly gone through my mind..but an internet review stated it was in black and white and the lobby cards i saw on the net certainly look as if they'd been colorized. i'll know for sure if the credits say color by technicolor!

Steve Crook

The IMDb page says it was made in B&W

Steve

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Lord Brett

It was in B/W when I watched it on TV a few years ago.

Hackett

In David Lodge's book, he played sgt. Muscles Dunn, he tells how the director John Guillerman, who was also his brother-in-law, cast Britt Ekland as Karen Eriksson. Ekland had just married Peter Sellers in the Feb of 1964 but was already contracted to film "GUNS OF BATASI". Sellers had just hit the big time and his ego encouraged her to walk out and that added to young love being what young love is she promptly did. She went on the Friday and Mia Farrow came in on the Monday for her big chance and took it with both hands.