If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

A Masterpiece!

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

This was ridiculously bad. For about half the film, there's no story, we're merely thrown scenes at. Then, it's some of the most stereotypical material you could think of on screen. It's some of the gratuitous, predictable, terribly obvious and unsubtle on screen material, with long bits of dialog in-between, endless battle action, and just more of the same boring filler up to the very end.The exaggeration factor is at an almost paroxysm here, and the whole film suspectly reeks of post-colonial guilt and apology, and yet, at the same time, the indigenous Indians are portrayed in the most derogatory fashion, and there's an overwhelming sense of English pride and more globally a heroic superiority of the West, something extremely prevalent in the films of the time.Pretty, pretty terrible.

George Stevens directed this loose adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling poem that features Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as three sergeants in British controlled India who, when they aren't trying to prevent Fairbanks from marrying his fiancée Emmy(played by Joan Fontaine), are instead getting involved with a resurgent thuggee cult that intends mass murder of all non-believers, and of course the three sergeants lead the fight to stop them... Faithful water bearer Gunga Din(played by Sam Jaffe) also plays a key role. Good cast and direction, though there are some surprising lulls and clunky comedy on display, this is still a reasonably entertaining film that isn't the classic of its reputation, not to mention being outdated...would make quite a double-feature with "Gandhi"!

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.

Gunga Din is produced and directed by George Stevens and co-adapted to screenplay by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, Joel Sayre and Fred Guiol. It's loosely inspired by the Rudyard Kipling poem of the same name. It stars Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Junior, Eduardo Ciannelli, Sam Jaffe and Joan Fontaine. Music is by Alfred Newman and cinematography by Joseph H. August.1939 was a golden year for cinema, a raft of classic movies were produced, many of which still hold up today. Unfairly suffering under scrutiny for its colonialist attitudes and embracement of war is Gunga Din, RKO Pictures' magnificent action adventure. Political Correctness in this day and age has led some to be sniffy towards Stevens' movie, it seems that to understand the period from when the film was made is a stretch too far. Balderdash say I. Really in this instance no charges should stand or be considered for this is a movie that should be heralded and treasured for the template it is. This was after all an anti-dote to the Great Depression that was drawing to a close, and with WWII kicking off, the likes of Gunga Din were medicine for the wounded millions.For the love of Kali: Kill, Kill, Kill.Undeniably it's preposterous and over the top, that's kind of the point really. It's a live action cartoon for the adults to enjoy whilst the kiddies get swept up in the gusto of it all. You don't have to condone anything by feeling uplifted as Gunga Din plays on themes such as loyalty, bravado and friendship, to go in deep with a good ole battle of good against evil, where fists fly and gunshots fill the air. Where hundreds of horses hooves pace in time with your heart. It's a spiffying adventure yarn deftly constructed by Stevens and his team. There's much light hearted interplay between our three stoic heroes, and the fist fight scenes have a charming silent movie feel to them, further enhancing the joviality that pulses throughout. And yes, there is sentiment, even a bit of cornball thrown in for good measure, but it lands in the cinema lover's heart and helps it beat happily.You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!Cast are having a great time, especially Grant who revels in playing knuckles and delivering songs about British Roast Beef! Newman's score is a neat blend of heroic bluster and exotic reflections, and the California locations, notably Alabama Pine, are expertly used by Stevens and August, the latter of which was nominated for an Academy Award for his efforts. Production design is eye catching, with the Indian temples standing out, while the final battle showcases Stevens' strengths in composition and action construction. Its influence should not be understated either, you can trace a line from this to Indiana Jones, and even beyond to the big box office coffer fillers like National Treasure and The Mummy et al. Gunga Din, an ode to good time cinema from a golden age, bravo! 9/10