A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Picture, copyright 1951
Synopsis ~ Credits ~ Reviews ~ Best Lines ~ Photos
Retiring British General Brunswick (Walter Pidgeon) reminisces about how he rose to his rank ...
Private
Archibald Ackroyd (Stewart Granger), Private Dennis Malloy (Cyril
Cusack), and Private Jock "Bill" Sykes (Robert
Newton)--"three of the most undisciplined rascals who ever soldiered
for the crown"--have served together in his regiment in India through
thick and thin for 18 years. Known as "The Queen's Hard Bargain,"
the trio are "not worth a lead coin as private citizens, but each
of them worth five men in a fight. They'd lie and cheat and steal among
themselves, but woe to the outsider who tried." When not engaged
in battle, they drink, gamble, pick fights, flirt with the ladies, scheme,
and generally get into mischief together, to the chagrin of their persnickety
captain, Pindenny (David Niven), who is fiercely loyal to then-Colonel
Brunswick. Brunswick's authority is being challenged by the recently-arrived
commander of the cavalry, Colonel Groat (Frank Allenby), and the "three-headed
monster of the Rutlands" threaten to make a fool of him. The soldiers'
latest escapade has resulted in an unusual punishment: Brunswick forces
them to choose one among themselves to advance to the rank of sergeant.
The promotion results in squabbles and hard feelings, and jeopardizes
their friendship, until they and their commander are put to the test in
putting down a rebellion by Indian leader Manik Rao (Michael Ansara).
Synopsis ~ Credits ~ Reviews ~ Best Lines ~ Photos
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