The Brigand of Kandahar

The Brigand of Kandahar

UK theatrical poster
Directed by John Gilling
Produced by Anthony Nelson Keys
Written by John Gilling (original story and screenplay)
Starring Ronald Lewis
Oliver Reed
Duncan Lamont
Music by Don Banks
Cinematography Reginald H. Wyer (as Reg Wyer)
Edited by Tom Simpson
Production
company
Distributed by Columbia Pictures (US)
Release dates
 9 August 1965 (UK)
November 1965 (USA)
Running time
 81 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

The Brigand of Kandahar is a 1965 British adventure film directed by John Gilling and starring Ronald Lewis, Oliver Reed and Duncan Lamont.[1] Case, a mixed-race British officer is thrown out of his regiment when he is accused of cowardice in action. He then joins some tribesmen rebelling against the British.[2] It was one of a number of films made during the era that had native rebels as their heroes.[3] It was filmed with extensive footage from Zarak. A British newspaper correspondent James Marriott is sent by London to investigate the suspicious death of an heiress. "She was quite a lady", he tells Oliver Reed's character Ali Khan, "you were so flattered to be loved by a lady." Marriott arrives at Fort Kandahar on the North-West Frontier with Afghanistan. The British colonel plays host to the reporter before interrogating a sepoy. Marriott is sent with a patrol only to be ambushed by a group of Pashtun rebels, who turn out to Khan's men.

Meanwhile, back at Kandahar the Colonel learns of the realisation of Case's situation - missing for at least three weeks - and orders a patrol to be sent from Peshawar to meet the lost party. They are trudging through the mountains. The set is an unconvincing studio backdrop that could be on a Star Trek movie, with images sewn into the background.

The scarlet tunic sepoys on horseback make a bold statement of intent as they trot through the scenery with Marriott and the others. But the 'blacked up' make-up does not fool the British when yet another "ambush!" strikes at Marriott's column. The Pashtuns outnumbered the plucky Brits as vicious fighting ensues; hand to hand with knives and bayonet. The Urdu tongue is heard as they are overwhelmed, captured and taken away. Marriot however, who was only stunned, wakes up to find the others gone. One prisoner was Ailsa, an English lady, "circumstances don't make you a murderer, Tom", she accuses the rebel leader. His commander the suitably uplifted and glamorously painted bad lady turns out to be Reed's sister, no less. This cosmopolitan band of unlikely cut-throats features Reed as number 1 bad guy "We fight!" he exclaims "the Englishman" as the duo-tanned torso of a desperado is pitted against the spy in their ranks.

A typically choreographed stage fight follows, just as Marriott pops out from behind a rock to collar the fleeing lady. Marriott manages to steal horses; reminiscent perhaps of the Westerns of the period, while the fight continues to exultant shrieks from the Pashtun. Psychological winding music fills the background until finally the fighting ends, and "English" walks away the winner. You are "Chief of the Ghilzai when will we attack?" she asks, her exotic charms are obvious. "We will attack tomorrow", he replies with studied heroism. The British Empire is about to get its latest installment of the Greater Game high in the Hindu Kush.

An epic panoramic scene begins as a long column of Islamic warriors carrying red crescent moon-shapes on whites flags - on horseback commanded by Case - with improbable white El-Cid style capes flowing behind as they pour down the mountainside into the Colonel's cavalry ranks. Suddenly the British artillery let rip as the Pashtuns are devastated by rifle and mortar fire. The signal to advance is sounded by trumpet for the British Redcoats charge into Case and his rebels at full gallop. Case is wounded in a sword fight with the Colonel by a stray Redcoat bullet, but in the general melee escapes on horseback. He stumbles to the safety of a cave only to be relentlessly pursued. Can the brave but traitorous rebel escape British justice? In a gunfight the Sergeant-Major's men encircle and close in on the unfortunate rebel leader. Ratina is also shot at the end in a dying scene, and as she struggles to reach her lover, they both pass away.

Marriott's opinion in the penultimate scene is followed by a rousing military band exit tune to this traditional British film made by Hammer productions at Elstree Studios.[4]

Cast

Critical reception

Time Out wrote, "India in 1850 provides the backdrop (supposedly, at least, since papier mâché rocks and rural England are much in evidence) for a routine military adventure";[5] while TV Guide noted the "battle climax is fast, well staged, and entertaining." [6]

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ "The Brigand of Kandahar". BFI.
  2. ↑ Richards p.217
  3. ↑ Monk & Sargeant p.118
  4. ↑ Reproduced on Movies4Men for Freeview TV UK, Saturday 16 April 2016
  5. ↑ "The Brigand of Kandahar". Time Out London.
  6. ↑ "The Brigand Of Kandahar". TV Guide.

External links


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