This awfully creaky "adventure" film from 1935 is heavy on the talking and light on the adventure. I'm not sure what audiences at the time saw in it to get it nominated for 7 Academy Awards, a pretty hefty nomination tally at the time given that there were far fewer categories than there are today. And it's not just a case of its being dull by today's standards. "Mutiny on the Bounty," which came out the same year, contains more excitement and action in one scene than this film displays during its entire running time.The film's best assets of course are Gary Cooper and especially Franchot Tone as rivals and reluctant partners, and all of their scenes together are the ones most worth watching. They capture a certain kind of barbed banter that anticipates the stock buddy movies that would go on to become a cinematic staple. But director Henry Hathaway doesn't seem to know what to do with action sequences, and he can't keep his film moving at all."The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" won the weird Best Assistant Director award that was handed out by the Academy for a handful of years in the 1930s, but it otherwise lost all of its other nominations: Outstanding Production, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Recording.Grade: C

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

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.

You are unlikely to have heard of "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer." It has long been overshadowed by it's more popular contemporaries "Beau Geste" and "Gunga Din", though it is, in my humble opinion, a finer film then either of them. But I'm getting ahead of myself, let's start at the beginning."The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" is the story of a regiment of British soldiers in Imperial India. It's an adventure film first and foremost, but it is also an intimate drama about the life of a soldier in an age of Victorian honor, chivalry, and stiff upper lip stoicism. The characters are all interesting and complex and the dialogue is witty and literate.The film holds up very well for a movie made in 1935, largely due to the lack of any melodramatic romantic subplots, which have permanently marred other adventure films of the period. This is a man's film about men in desperate situations, it's about being willing to die for your country or your friends at a moments notice. It's about a concept that most people consider outdated, honor. How many films have you seen recently about honor, loyalty, and true courage? Probably not many. The action scenes are exhilarating, and the film really does a wonderful job of establishing it's Indian setting.The performances are all first rate, Gary Cooper stars as Lt. McGregor. I've always imagined Cooper as the quiet, serious, everyman characters he played later in his career. Here he gets to try his hand at comedy and complexity and gives arguably the most layered performance of his career. Franchot Tone is also perfectly cast, he won on Oscar the same year for his performance in Mutiny on the Bounty, but his performance in this film is equally deserving of acclaim. Tone was one of the best actors of the 1930's, though he never really hit it big as a leading man. He's wonderful here, his character exudes charm and wit, and he and Cooper bounce off each other wonderfully. Richard Cromwell is a little over the top, but he makes sense for the character. British stage actor Guy Standing plays Colonel Stone as being emotionless on the outside, and yet torn apart on the inside, having to make the impossible choice between loyalty to one's family and loyalty to one's country. It's a great performance for which he should have received an Oscar nomination. As for C. Aubrey Smith, he is wonderful as usual, the quintessential British officer, often imitated but never equaled, there is no one like the man himself. Douglas Dumbrille also gives a fine performance as the evil Muhammad Khan."The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" is a great film, that has been unfairly denied the classic status it so deserves. For years the only way to see it was on Turner Classic Movies, but recently it was released as one of the five films on the $25 "Gary Cooper Collection". Don't miss it.10 out of 10 Also, though most people don't know it, this is the film in which the now famous line "We have ways of making men talk" is first uttered.