This week’s pick is the Tony Richardson 1968 remake of The Charge of the Light Brigade which tells the story of a British expeditionary force sent to the Crimean peninsula in 1854 to halt the spread of Russian dominance over the vastly deteriorating Ottoman Empire. The Crimean War (1853-56) was considered to be the first modern war of the Victorian age. It was also a war fought by those which represented Christendom throughout Eastern Europe and throughout the holy lands.

The film stars some of Britain’s most celebrated actors: Trevor Howard (Maj. Gen. James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan), Sir John Gielguld, (Field Marshal James Henry Somerset, 1st Baron of Raglan), Vanessa Redgrave (Clarissa), Harry Andrews, (Lt. Gen. The Earl of Lucan), and David Hemmings, (Capt. Louis Edward Nolan).

The film opens with beautiful illustration which shows the mighty Russian bear terrorizing a Turkey wearing a fez hat. The other nations of Europe such as Italy, and the French Eagle look towards England, the sleeping Lion which awakens, lets loose a tremendous roar, and puts on a policeman’s helmet as a show of force that England will flex its might in this international affair.

The opening sequence which is done entirely through animation shows how Britain represents progress, industry, might, and the where with all to conduct policy in the name of the queen. It is a fabulous opening sequence which helps to establish the film and to allow the viewer to witness this pivotal time in Victorian history.

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This week’s pick is the 1969 Guy Hamilton (Goldfinger, Force 10 From Navarone) directed classic Battle of Britain, which depicts the valiant struggle of Great Britain’s Royal Air Force against the onslaught of the numerically superior German Luftwaffe during the summer of 1940. The film opens as France falls in May 1940, and the British and their allies avoid capture with the massive evacuation at the coastal city of Dunkirk. With time to regroup and strengthen their home defenses, the British lie and wait for Hitler’s forces to eventually invade England.

The film is told through a collection of fighter squadron groups (English and German) who are veterans in the skies over France and the low countries during early 1940. Like many films of the mid to late 1960′s, Battle of Britain has its fare share of brilliant English and German actors. Screen legend Sir Laurence Olivier leads the cast as Chief Air Marshal H.C. Dowding who helped to coordinate British forces to total victory in the battle.

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