Gunga Din
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.99 You Save: $13.98 (70%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $5.54 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Gunga Din
Movie Review: The Gunga Din of my childhood and the Gunga Din of today
Summary: 5 Stars
There are so many excellent reviews of this movie on this site that I will repeat them, simply add a few personal impressions. When I saw this movie as a child I was frightened out of my mind by the whole Thugeee Kali death business. Could there really be such a frightening kind of people in the world? I also did not much understand the banter, the humor between the three heroes which is according to most reviewers one of its most magical elements. I did sympathize with the hardworking, hardtrying to please, noble Gunga Din. Only I was upset at the final moments of the film , the thought that the person who had been so good so courageous had died. In the childhood world of my movie- going the 'good guys won' and here the 'good - guy ' did not win. How I wondered could such a good person be allowed to die.
I apologize by the way for writing this kind of review but for me the great value of ' reviewiing' is often in comparing who I was then to who I am now.
Then for instance it would never in a second occurred to me that the movie s too a defense of British imperialism, and contains within it despite the heroism of Gunga Din a basic sense of the 'white-man's superiority' real racism in our terms today.
Movie Review: Finally, "Gunga Din" on DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems that every year a film treasure finally makes it to DVD. Clearly, this year's treasure is George Steven's adventure classic "Gunga Din," loosely based on the traditional poems of Kipling ("Gunga Din" and "Sargeants Three"). Easily one of the best films of the great year 1939, "Gunga Din" sported an unbelievable cast, a timeless screenplay, and one of Alfred Newman's best film scores. Do not look for political correctness here, this is an unabashed tribute to the British "Raj" in India (except for an interesting line supporting Indian independence) making this something of a guilty pleasure, but take it for what it is and have fun. Indeed, along with a very poignant ending (thanks to the great Sam Jaffe), the emphasis of this film was fun and adventure and it scores very high marks across the board. The acting is solid, and the production values are first rate. And Alfed Newman's score is one of his best. The black and white tranfer to DVD is acceptable, though for such a great movie something more than a bargain edition would have been nice. Still, this is a great addition to any film buff's classical library.Movie Review: Stands up to the test of time
Summary: 5 Stars
As a girl growing up in the pre-VCR/DVD days, I remember my dad staying up late at night to watch Gunga Din every time it made an appearance on TV. It was his favorite movie, and it's easy to see why. It's not at all politically correct, but the three stars - Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Cary Grant and Victor McLaglen - make this a truly fun-filled action adventure. While there are quite a few elements that are dated (the snake pit with visible wires moving the rubber snakes; the cavalier portrayal of war), the sense of fun of this movie is still completely intact.
This DVD does a good job of adding special features, especially the behind-the-scenes documentary. As a bonus, there are a few restored scenes in the film itself. These scenes - depicting Rudyard Kipling as a young journalist traveling with the colonial army in India - were deleted even from the theatrical release of the film in 1939, so seeing them for the first time was a real treat.
If you're a fan of adventure movies of the 30's and 40's, don't hesitate to add Gunga Din to your collection.
Movie Review: By the living God that made you
Summary: 5 Stars
You're a better man than I Gunga Din
RKO Radio Pictures presents Gunga Din as told through the lives of three famous comrades in Her Majesty's Service. Sergeant MacChesney (Victor McLaglen), Sergeant Ballantine (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), and Sergeant Cutter (Cary Grant).
After 50 years of dormancy the Thugs (worshipers of the goddess Kali) raise again. They threaten to run the British out of India. Let's put it this way they are the bad guys. Their layer is stumbled upon by three adventuring shoulders. Helping them in their pursuit fights and potentially saving the day is a water boy by the name of Gunga Den (Sam Jaffe.)
The movie is fast paced with lots of marching and saber rattling. This presentation is accompanied with music only could be described as swashbuckling. The music is by Alfred Newman.
The Man Who Would Be King
Movie Review: A Story of 'The Great Game'
Summary: 5 Stars
Gunga Din is one of the rare cases where the film honors the work of a giant of literature. Kipling is criticized for what he wrote which can fail in missing the superb descriptions of soldiering and the associated cultures where it was conducted. This film incorporates the reality of quasi religious cults and their dangerous fanaticism matched with soldiers who served and fought with gallant professionalism in a story not ignoring color, wit and rough and tumble always a part of military life. The effective use of tactics shown in the film is truly art reflecting life. From jovial marching song, to deployment in line of battle to bringing a Gatling Gun into action station is timeless in its authenticity. And the finish - the loyal subordinate who gave his life for comrades and command. If only mankind had as apt a vehicle to equality.