Lives of a Bengal Lancer

US (1935): Adventure/War

One of the greatest Hollywood adventure stories and a breakthrough for both Gary Cooper and director Henry Hathaway, who became known for his attention to detail and use of authentic locations. Hathaway himself shot some of the exotic northwestern India locations for this heart-quickening tale of three soldiers in the famous British regiment. Cooper is the old hand who reins in gung-ho Franchot Tone and takes Richard Cromwell, the bitter son of the commander, under his wing. Much derring-do, including a climactic battle that finds the trio fighting from inside the enemy's mountain fortress as the Lancers lay siege from the outside.

With a career that spanned 42 years and 66 films, Henry Hathaway received an Academy Award^® nomination for Best Director only once. The film was The Lives of a Bengal Lancer. (amctv.com)

NOTE: This is the film where Douglass Dumbrille says, "We have ways of making men talk," although everybody remembers it as, "We have ways of making you talk."

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Lives of a Bengal Lancer on TCM.com.

8 nominations, 2 Awards