Any relationship to historical truth was purely coincidental. Inspired, no doubt, more by Tennyson's verse rather than factual records, the 1936 Hollywood version of the story turned disaster into heroic spectacle and had Errol Flynn leading the charge in revenge for the barbaric massacre of British women and children. The charge itself, made at Balaclava against superior Russian forces in 1854 during the Crimean War, was an unmitigated military disaster, a gallop to death triggered by a combination of poor judgement, personal grudges, arrogance, misdirection and misunderstanding. It's famous opening verse is, however, a tad more foreboding:Īnd we're into the second verse before the suggestion is made that maybe, just maybe, those at the top may have made a mistake or two:Īs those with an interest in history will be aware, the word 'blunder' doesn't really cover it. It's an image enhanced by the final verse of Lord Alfred Tennyson's popular poem of the same name: That extraordinary little speech comprises the first spoken words in The Charge of the Light Brigade, the barked-out thoughts of Brigade commander Lord Cardigan in a film whose title inspires visions of triumphant heroism, dashingly dressed horseman galloping to victory in the Queen's good name. Ten thousand a year out me own pocket I spend to clothe 'em! A master cutler sharps their swords and I keep 'em tight stitched, cut to a shadow! Good! If they can't fornicate they can't fight, and if they don't fight hard I'll flog their backs raw, for all their fine looks!"
"I do not propose to recount my life in any detail, what-is-what! No damned business of anyone, what-is-what! I am Lord Cardigan, that is what. In the jaws of death and the mouth of hellĪ UK region 2 DVD review of CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE by Slarek
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