Gunga Din (1939)

Simply Perfect

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

A different way of telling a story

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Copyright 27 January 1939 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall: 26 January 1939. U.S. release: 17 February 1939. U.K. release: March 1939. Australian release: 4 May 1939. 12 reels. 117 minutes.NOTES: Locations in Lone Pine, California. Also Chatsworth and Lake Sherwood. Negative cost: $1,909,669.28. RKO's top box=office attraction of 1938-39, the movie was successfully re-issued in the mid-1940s.COMMENT: The original "Soldiers Three" does not quite deserve its reputation as a top film of the year. Obviously inspired by the success of "Lives of a Bengal Lancer" (some of the impressive crowd footage is even culled from that film), it does not hold a candle to Hathaway's film in any respect save one — the photography by Joseph August with its searing brightness and lack of contrast can be compared favorably alongside the more artistic work of Charles Lang on Bengal Lancer. Both are atmospheric, yet achieve their effects in different ways. Otherwise, "Gunga Din" comes off second best in all departments — acting with a bland Douglas Fairbanks Jr, a ridiculous, exaggerated, excitable Cockney from Cary Grant and Victor McLaglen as rambunctious to a degree that he has elevated into a mannerism, cannot compare with Franchot Tone, Cooper and Cromwell; just as Montagu Love cannot compare with Sir Guy Standing or Abner Biberman with Monte Blue. Admittedly, Eduardo Ciannelli is very effective as the Thug high priest, and Sam Jaffe is suitably funny-ethnic in the title role. Expansively produced, boasting good battle scenes, action and atmosphere, the movie tends to be over-talkative in its full version and I'm not surprised it was cut when re-issued. Joan Fontaine has a small clinging-vine part. Stevens' direction has lots of good camera set-ups, but lacks the dynamism that director Henry Hathaway brought to "Lives of a Bengal Lancer".

George Stevens directed this loose adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling poem that features Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as three sergeants in British controlled India who, when they aren't trying to prevent Fairbanks from marrying his fiancée Emmy(played by Joan Fontaine), are instead getting involved with a resurgent thuggee cult that intends mass murder of all non-believers, and of course the three sergeants lead the fight to stop them... Faithful water bearer Gunga Din(played by Sam Jaffe) also plays a key role. Good cast and direction, though there are some surprising lulls and clunky comedy on display, this is still a reasonably entertaining film that isn't the classic of its reputation, not to mention being outdated...would make quite a double-feature with "Gandhi"!

Our local library showed this film tonight. Why? Gunga Din has got to be the most boring, unfunny old movie I have ever seen. The action scenes are probably the funniest part of the movie (but I don't think they were intended to be). It's always like 200 people against the 3 sergeants but of course the 3 sergeants always manage to triumph over the stumbling,keystone cop-like (supposedly dangerous) Indian forces. The acting is wooden, the plot thin. But worst of all, it's just boring. I think half the audience walked out tonight before it ended (why didn't I?) leaving a couple of older men who laughed uproariously throughout the film. Rename this film - Gunga Dim!

This movie has been a favorite of mine since I first watched it on late night TV in the mid 60's. It has a little something for everyone. Romance, action, comedy and just plain fun. Although the dialog could have been a great deal better the actors do a fantastic job of making it work. I would love to see an honest remake of this film. With today's technology and a great writer, it would be a hit.There are too many favorite scenes for me to single out just one for comment but I have decided that the bugle scene that begins the climatic battle towards the end would have to be Number One. I have to rewind the DVR several times just to relieve the goosebumps I get every time I see it. I know that not all will agree with and that is fine, but I have to say that is is perhaps one of my favorite films of all time.