Directed by:
Tony RichardsonCinematography:
David WatkinComposer:
John AddisonCast:
Trevor Howard, Vanessa Redgrave, John Gielgud, David Hemmings, Harry Andrews, Jill Bennett, Peter Bowles, Leo Britt, T.P. McKenna, Roger Mutton, Corin Redgrave (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
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. (Shock Entertainment)
(more)Cast
![Trevor Howard](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/653/164653304_74e93f.jpg)
Trevor Howard
UK
Best movies:
Producers' Showcase (1954) (series)
Gandhi (1982)
Brief Encounter (1945)
![Vanessa Redgrave](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/544/162544391_8289b2.jpg)
Vanessa Redgrave
UK
Best movies:
Atonement (2007)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Blow-Up (1966)
![John Gielgud](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/405/164405827_80acb2.png)
John Gielgud
UK
Best movies:
The Elephant Man (1980)
Gandhi (1982)
The Scarlet and the Black (1983) (TV movie)
![David Hemmings](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/271/271165_81acbe.jpg)
David Hemmings
UK
Best movies:
Gladiator (2000)
The Long Day's Dying (1968)
Blow-Up (1966)
![Harry Andrews](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/653/164653269_647743.jpg)
Harry Andrews
UK
Best movies:
The Hill (1965)
The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
The Medusa Touch (1978)
![Jill Bennett](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/072/312/72312459_074fb8.jpg)
Jill Bennett
Malaysia
Best movies:
Lust for Life (1956)
Lady Jane (1986)
Julius Caesar (1970)
![Peter Bowles](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/392/161392278_170d00.jpg)
Peter Bowles
UK
Best movies:
Blow-Up (1966)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Leo Britt
UK
Best movies:
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
Dial M for Murder (1954)
The Court Jester (1955)
![T.P. McKenna](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/334/334354_4a74d5.jpg)
T.P. McKenna
Ireland
Best movies:
The Scarlet and the Black (1983) (TV movie)
Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
Holocaust (1978) (series)
Roger Mutton
Best movies:
The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968)
![Corin Redgrave](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/273/273398_bcc707.jpg)
Corin Redgrave
UK
Best movies:
In the Name of the Father (1993)
Excalibur (1981)
Shackleton (2002) (TV movie)
![Donald Wolfit](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/281/281120_adcfa2.jpg)
Donald Wolfit
UK
Best movies:
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Becket (1964)
Room at the Top (1959)
![Joely Richardson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/413/164413225_771fa9.jpg)
Joely Richardson
UK
Best movies:
Drowning by Numbers (1988)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
![Rachel Kempson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/280/280461_a543c6.jpg)
Rachel Kempson
UK
Best movies:
Out of Africa (1985)
Grand Prix (1966)
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980) (TV movie)
![Georges Douking](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/465/465181_c07bb7.jpg)
Georges Douking
France
Best movies:
Judgment of the God (1952)
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
The Hunchback of Paris (1959)
![Mark Burns](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/157/886/157886370_8c56bc.gif)
Mark Burns
UK
Best movies:
Stardust (2007)
Ludwig: The Mad King of Bavaria (1973)
Juggernaut (1974)
![Howard Marion-Crawford](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/530/161530645_3fce4f.jpg)
Howard Marion-Crawford
UK
Best movies:
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The Longest Day (1962)
The Silent Enemy (1958)
![John Hallam](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/413/160413989_657555.jpg)
John Hallam
UK
Best movies:
The Last Valley (1971)
Cadfael (1994) (series)
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Willoughby Goddard
UK
Best movies:
Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)
The Last Days of Pompeii (1984) (series)
Jabberwocky (1977)
![Chris Chittell](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/384/161384871_56cdbd.jpg)
Chris Chittell
UK
Best movies:
To Sir, with Love (1967)
The Last Valley (1971)
Zulu Dawn (1979)