I fucilieri del Bengala

So many whites in brownface. The film seems to live in its own little bubble, partly filmed in India but without a single Indian in the cast.

And the sense of unreality doesn't stop there. Two Americans play British without even trying for a British accent. Every single English playing Indian doesn't bother trying for Indian accents, and half the "Indians" they don't even bother putting makeup on.

But they sure pile on the brown makeup on Ursula Theiss, almost as heavy as her dayglo red lipstick. They also pile on the makeup on the sole nonwhite, Syrian actor Michael Ansara, when he would be far more believable without it.

The result is this film is far from "rousing." You find yourself amused rather than offended, even while it shows all Indians as ignorant, evil, violent, superstitious, and treacherous. The one exception of course is Theiss, who plays a South Asian version of Pocahontas who just loves all them white guys.

Again, it's too goofy to be offensive. You'll be amused at Rock Hudson beating up half a dozen Indians with soggy leaves. You'll laugh at the obvious stunt doubles. And let's not forget the conveniently bad shooting of Indians unless they are loyal to the British.

IRL the "Sepoy Mutiny" was the First War for Indian Independence. It was spontaneous and by average Indian soldiers. Here it's an oh so evil plot by a scheming rajah who fools the gullible Indian soldiers who deep down really really love their white officers. As propaganda this is so clumsy.

Adventure and thrilling movie set in India in the turbulent late 19th century . It is a rousing , moving , stirring tale , but rough-edged fare . A breathtaking and colorful adventure with great cast and full of action , thrills , battles and love . Rock Hudson that in The Magnificent Obssesion caused sensation here in his most exciting role . The story of a love that was greater than honor and race ; and a courage that stood alone against the fury of India's great rebellion , 1857 . Set in India as the title indicates , half-legend , half-land ...alive and wondrous thanks to spectacular outdoors through the magic of sterophonic sound , big screen , and anamorphic lens . The approaching on anniversary of one hundred years of British rule has brought growing unrest and occasional uprising among the natives . The famed Bengal Rifles Regiment ,Indian soldiers commanded by British officers , have pursued Siri Nath's rebels to the mountain fortress of Malakai Pass . The great desert , thundering path of empire, the fanatic rebel horsemen and the hordes of Siri Nath . And the crowning spectacle of the man who carved a saga of battle and love across the towering peaks of the an immense country : India . There a stubborn captain is faced with restoring his reputation . From marble palace to teeming jungle all India rocked with the violence of the great rebellion !

Adventure movie set in India with plenty of fights , emotion , thrills and overwhelming battles . Dealing with interesting issues such as imperialism , colonialism and racism . One of Hudson' s best adventure movies , but still within his tradition of making adventure movies which spanned around the world . And it packs a colorful photography in Technicolor , with color de Luxe . Rock Hudson as Captain Clayboune plays with some sensitivity the court-martialled officer for disobeying a superior's order , even though this action led to the capture a rebel-held stronghold ; as he is isolated by his colleagues and by the girlfriend's father . Hudson work is well up to his ordinary high standards , playing the tough commander after being harshly disciplined, then he takes his life to get redemption . Rock Hudson gives an acceptable acting as an obstinate officer who is sadly degradated , but whose wartime bravery earns him ,definitively , a string of honours . This is Hudson's third adventure in the East , the others were : Spiral road , Battle Hymm , and Thunder of God . Rock was Douglas Sirk's fetish actor including essential titles as Taza , Magnificent obsession , Written in the wind , among others . While his love interest is played by the gorgeous Arlene Dahl , as well as Úrsula Thiess who married Robert Taylor . Úrsula began her professional career as a model, landing small movie roles and eventually relocating to California, where her Hollywood career bloomed .Her film credits include Monsoon, The Iron Glove and this Bengal Brigade, co-starred Rock Hudson. She also appeared with Glenn Ford in The Americano and with Robert Mitchum in Bandido . There are strong , but brief performances from Torin Thatcher , Dan O'Herlihy , Michael Ansara , Leonard Strong , and special mention for the villain Arnold Moss who often performs baddie roles , among others .

Lavishly produced by Ted Richmond and Universal International , being accompanied by brilliant and glimmer cinematography carried out by director of photography by Maury Gertsman .Shooting in Lone Pine , Backlot, Universal Studios , Iverson Ranch , Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California . Thrilling as well as sensitive musical score by Hans J. Salter and uncredited : Herman Stein and Stanley Wilson . The motion picture was well directed by Laslo Benedek , but it is an unusual subject for Benedek to direct . He made important and decent films , such as : Port of New York , Death of a Salesman , The kissing bandit , Daring game , Assault on Agathon , The Night Visitor and various TV episodes . Benedek drew out convincing, evocative performances from Kevin McCarthy, Cameron Mitchell, Fredric March , Mildred Dunnock and , of course , Marlon Brando and Rock Hudson . Rating : 6, Acceptable and passable film . The flick will appeal to Rock Hudson fans .

The first couple of years of the decade, Rock Hudson was just breaking into the business, playing bit parts or Indian chiefs. Within a couple more years, he was headlining movies, but not all of them were great. If you doubt that, you obviously haven't rented The Golden Blade, Sea Devils, or Captain Lightfoot yet. I wasn't able to get through any of those, but I did manage to sit through Bengal Brigade, solely because it was Rock Hudson's time as Star of the Week and I thought I owed it to him to review at least one terrible movie.

The story of this one is intriguing, but it's executed so poorly, it's just not worth watching unless Rock Hudson is your favorite actor or celebrity boyfriend and you want to watch all of his movies. Rock is a soldier in the British army in occupied India during the 1800s. He disobeys an order during a battle and gets court-martialed. After a harsh reprimand, he resigns from the army and makes it his personal mission to redeem himself and prove that he's not a disgrace to his country. Along the way, he tries to infiltrate among Indian rebels and reassure his fiancé Arlene Dahl that his feelings haven't changed, even though he can't marry her just yet. Seriously, folks, this is not another Four Feathers. This is a B-picture from the '50s, and if you've ever sat through one of those, you know that you don't want to make a habit of it.

In mid-19th-century India nationalistic feeling is running high. When a British officer, Captain Claybourne, is court-martialled and unfairly disgraced for rescuing his Sepoy troops against the orders of his commanding officer, he receives a tempting offer from a powerful rebel Rajah.

An enjoyable adventure starring Rock Hudson as an officer cashiered from the Regiment for disobeying a direct order, in order to save his men from slaughter. Still Loyal to the Raj and his men, he encounters a plan of an uprising and he intends to quell it. There's some good action scenes, though more in the beginning and end. It can be quite thought-provoking as well as lively and it basks in Technicolor. It's stunningly photographed and features lavish costumes and eye catching scenery. Ursula Theiss -Robert Taylor's 2nd wife - plays a native called Lata, who helps Hudson in his mission. Arlene Dahl adds some glamour. Arnold Moss is suitably oily as the villain. Hudson comes across sincere, emphatic as well as heroic.

The most surprising thing about this movie is that it was directed by Laslo Benedek ,a man associated with the more serious end of the movie market -as per Death of a Salesman and the Brando vehicle The Wild One .It is set in the year 1856 in British India ,more specifically on the North West Frontier .Rock Hudson is improbably cast as a British army Captain who is tried ,convicted and forced to resign his commission for disobeying the orders of a senior officer even though by doing so he was responsible for the capture of a key rebel stronghold .He becomes a big game hunter but continues to be devoted to the British cause and infiltrates a group of rebels plotting to overthrow the Raj .In between all these distractions he manages to make time to woo Vivian Morrow(Arlene Dahl)the daughter of the regimental commander Colonel Morrow (Tobin Thatcher) Hudson is miscast but battles valiantly with the role ,Dahl is merely decorative as is Ursula Thiess . The best performances -mostly because they are better cast-are given by Thatcher and Dan O'Herlihy as British soldiers

This is a good co-feature movie and will be enjoyed by lovers of the old style "ripping yarn