Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Twilightfa Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Yazmin Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

wes-connors In British-controlled India, restless natives make life difficult for the 41st regiment of Bengal Lancers. Arriving for adventure, Scotch-Canadian colonist Gary Cooper (as Alan "Mac" McGregor) survives an attack by Indian rebels, and is pegged to quash the resistance. To assist, Mr. Cooper is assigned two recruits - snake-charming transferee Franchot Tone (as John "Fort" Forsythe) and military school graduate Richard Cromwell (as Donald Stone). Despite differences, the three gentlemanly soldiers bond quickly.The plot focuses quickly on Mr. Cromwell, who is the emotionally estranged son of commanding Colonel Guy Standing (as Tom Stone). Cooper advises, "The old man has ice water in his veins." Cromwell's abduction causes disagreement among the men. Cooper and Mr. Tone want to rescue their young pal, but his own father thinks of the military disadvantages first. "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" is an obviously dated, but first class production, with director Henry Hathaway and his cast in universally fine form.******** The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1/11/35) Henry Hathaway ~ Gary Cooper, Richard Cromwell, Franchot Tone, Guy Standing

classicsoncall The epic scope of the film is particularly impressive considering it's release in 1935, and without the complexity of today's computer generated effects. Director Henry Hathaway relocates his experiences with the American Wild West to the more exotic locales of northwest India above the Khyber Pass. There he focuses on the good natured rivalry between Lieutenant Alan McGregor (Gary Cooper) and two newly assigned junior officers, Forsythe (Franchot Tone) and Stone (Richard Cromwell), members of the 41st Bengal Lancers. The plot is thickened by the authority of Colonel Tom Stone (Guy Standing), father of Mr. Stone from Sandhurst, immediately creating a dynamic tension between familial and military concerns.There's a bit more to it than that as well, weighing on the Colonel's mind are an impending retirement and the responsibility of his assignment to protect the Indian Emir from a coalition of hostile tribes led by Mohammed Khan (Douglas Dumbrille). His 'service comes first' mentality is repeatedly tested by Cooper's character, who refers to the Colonel as 'old ramrod'; in fact, McGregor is probably one of the most insubordinate officers in film history if you count the number of times he disobeys orders.The younger Stone is at odds throughout the story as to how to impress his overbearing father. The boar hunt goes badly, and later he falls victim to the Khan's kidnap plot, utilizing the wiles of the sultry Tania (Kathleen Burke). Ultimately he earns his redemption, but at a high price, as the officer trio reunites to destroy Khan's stolen ammunition supply. That he didn't have the courage to resist torture like his comrades is inexorably relived during the presentation of the Distinguished Service Order, when he has all he can do to hold back his welling tears.Any story set in India probably wouldn't be complete without the obligatory dancing cobra scene. Here it's done to somewhat comic effect when the bantering Forsythe finally receives his comeuppance from the older officer McGregor. Of course as with most films, this one doesn't get it scientifically accurate either. Cobras are not enchanted by the music they can't hear, but the swaying motion of the player and his instrument; for his part, Forsythe looked a bit too terrified to sway.Curiously, Canadian born Douglass Dumbrille has just the right look to be plausible as a foreigner. His character here exudes both charm and malice, and he would go on to portray a varied assemblage of international characters in film. One that immediately comes to mind was a comic turn in the 1950 team-up with "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion".As a fan of the classics, I have a preferred taste for black and white films, but every once in a while there's a scene that simply begs for the color treatment. As guests of the Emir, the Lancers are shown in full ceremonial regalia which look quite stunning. Kind of makes you wish for a modern day remake, if only they would stay away from the CGI.

Val83 A great classic movie showing the glamor of an India no more longer existing or, maybe, never existed. But the question is: how could they show officers of the invading army as "heroes", while Indians fighting for their freedom and indipendence are shown as "bandits"? I'm trying to explain this non-sense since the first time I saw to this movie..

shyMommy Right. A snake is charmed by a musical instrument. There are only Moslems and Englishmen and no Hindus or Jains in India. A troop of Indians stop fighting and start praying when their commander is killed. The son of the very British captain has a distinctly American accent, and so does the Scotch-Canadian. The beautiful girl dances with anyone who walks up to her, even if they don't speak a word first. The British troop, when ambushed, doesn't run for cover or even stop chatting. This story is so full of holes I could barely watch it through to the end. If you're looking for a movie which has stood the test of time, this isn't it. Keep looking. Don't waste your time with "Lives of a Bengal Lancer."