Good movie but grossly overrated

Absolutely Brilliant!

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Here is another great one from the year 1939. I saw it growing up and loved it, and have seen it since several times and still am fascinated. Grant, Fairbanks Jr., and McLaglin, as sergeants Cutter, Balantine, and McChesney, provide all the necessary action and comedy needed to engross any viewer.To me, three outstanding comedic bits were trying to feed the reluctant elephant in the stall, the drunk scene between Grant and McLaglin when Grant is decked, and at the punch bowl where Robert Coote imbibes the potent stuff and drops like a rock. The efforts to prevent Fairbanks Jr. from resigning are also hilarious.I also remember the hideous pit of snakes that Sgt.McChesney (McLaglin) is almost cast into. Instead, the evil Eduardo Cianelli jumps in.Sam Jaffe (Gunga Din) steals the show at the end by his bugle call alerting the unsuspecting British column to the ambush. He gives a touching performance throughout.A battle at the beginning and a major one at the end, provide plenty of action. Even more excitement occurs when the three sergeants are captured by the Thugees.A classic that all adventure lovers should see.

Sorry, but I didn't like this 1939 film at all.Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks and Victor McLaglen would have been better had they continued their comic antics instead of getting involved in a drama about India in the 1800s with a revival of an insane, lunatic organization bent on mass murder.When there aren't battles, Grant and McLaglen are conspiring to make sure that Fairbanks doesn't leave the army in order to marry Joan Fontaine.An unrecognizable Sam Jaffe portrays Din, a remarkable fellow, so brave even in death.Eduardo Ciannelli is the ruthless leader of the mad pack who kills himself so that his men will go into battle as they'd do nothing when he was being held hostage.The picture is absolutely pointless. Yes, there is bravery and the concept of the good soldier is discussed, but we've seen this done in far better scripts.

There is a lot to forgive in this hugely popular Movie, especially among those who saw it as young Boys. But it hardly stand up as a newly viewed Film today. It is another of those that has to be seen with blind reverence. British Colonialism was nothing more than an attempt at World domination while oppressing People and destroying cultures. So it is quite a stretch to view this all with a light Heart.But all that aside, as a Movie this has moments of grandeur but at times is quite a clumsy affair. With its unnecessary sped-up Action Scenes it detracts from some of the wide open wonder and immense battle set-ups.The ending does have quite an amount of Pathos. The final battle at the Temple is a reversal unlike the previous slapstick battles and is quite Dramatic. Overall this is overrated, and dated, but just entertaining enough as a throwback to an era of some pretty shallow renditions of some pretty deep subjects.

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.