Search - The Charge of the Light Brigade on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1968 DVD Release: 05/07/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 11 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Epic, War, War Epic, British Empire Film

During the ill-fated charge of British troops at Balaclava in the Crimean War, loyal soldiers who blindly followed orders were led to certain death. This is the fifth time the story has been told on film, but the actual event is an afterthought to the main plot. Snobbish aristocrats and ineffectual politicos combine with pompous blue-bloods to make decisions affecting 600 men thousands of miles away. A decidedly anti-war and satirical slant is presented, as inept generals stand knee-deep in bodies, each blaming the other for the fiasco. Vividly underscored here is the fanaticism, dedication, and blind loyalty which caused the total annihilation of hundreds of soldiers. This 5-million-dollar epic film recouped only 1 million after the initial release, leaving critics to compare the real-life disaster with the financial one suffered by the producers. Trevor Howard, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave head the excellent cast. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Trevor Howard - Lord Cardigan
Vanessa Redgrave - Clarissa
John Gielgud - Lord Raglan
Harry Andrews - Lord Lucan
Jill Bennett - Mrs. Duberly

Tony Richardson's sweeping Crimean war film The Charge of the Light Brigade comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. This is easily the best this film has ever looked on home video. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. MGM/UA has done a solid job with this older title. The disc should please genre enthusiasts as well as fans of the film. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide