The Lives of a Bengal Lancer

On the north-west frontier of British India, the 41st Bengal Lancers are stationed under the hard-handed Colonel Stone. There is a rising in the region led by Mohammed Khan. Two new officers join the regiment: the surly McGregor and the dry, well-born Forsythe. The third arrival is the colonel's own son. The grievance between father and son ends with the young officer allowing himself to be taken prisoner. Henry Hathaway directs, with Gary Cooper and Franchot Tone. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards. That it tells the story from the point of view of the British officers without questioning the colonial order is criticised today; in its own time it was one of the films that set the pattern for adventure cinema.