Grade: B-
Synopsis: Three British troops (Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) battle a Thuggee cult with the help of a native water carrier.
Gunga Din is a great adventure picture. It starts with a classic opening credit sequence and closes with a knock-out action sequence that holds up well to this day. The leads are fun to watch, and the film ages well.
There are a few missteps though. The score can be overpowering, with musical ques inserted where silence would have much better served the atmosphere, and the script does drag a bit towards the middle. While neither of these are deal-breakers, I can’t help but wonder if Howard Hawks –who was scheduled to direct the movie before being fired– would have made the same mistakes.
Bottom Line: An enjoyable adventure that served as the inspiration for countless films to follow.
