Excellent description and I remember seeing this at the time because of Michael York’s run of films and who wouldn’t go see Susannah York! Good cast though I agree that sometimes Christopher Plummer would phone into a film. This was also when I would see anything with Stacy Keach in it! Only years later did I understand just how much of “The Raj” survived into the Indian Army post-independence which probably helped the film makers with the spectacle.
Yes. It was filmed in present day Pakistan (i.e. formerly British India) and it's quite possible that they received help from the Pakistan army? Not entirely sure. As otherwise, it's all filmed on a set at Shepperton studios. Incidentally, did the (British) Indian Army wear scarlet on active service in 1878? Or had they switched to khaki?
It was actually a rather gradual transition that apparently began with the units of Native “Guides” in the 1840s, accelerated during the “Mutiny” and by the 1880s was pretty much standard. The “Welsh” in “Zulu” would have been in khaki but they went with red/scarlet for the visual.
I remember watching Rob Roy as a child and being very confused about the English troops marching into enemy guerrilla territory beating drums and blowing on woodwind instruments dressed in bright red uniforms. Was this a death wish? Here we are. Please kill us now,
Not sure we've actually seen this as the multiple versions of The Four Feathers, including the 1978 Simon Ward and Robert Powell tend to suck all the scarlet uniformed pukka air out of the room.
He’s a bit of a curate’s egg, is he not, our Simon? Classically handsome but something a bit odd, too (like Richard ‘John Boy Walton’ Thomas), and always a little strained, as though on the verge of some inner breakdown, he never translated to the big star status his earlier work suggested. Not exactly wooden, but not all flesh and blood, either.
The repressed and closeted ‘character’ of Christopher Isherwood in Cabaret was perfect for him, and he’s very good in it, though, of course, Liza Minnelli steals everything in that film…ha-ha!
It was nice to see him making fun of himself in the Austin Power thingy, but even there you suspect he’s not really in on the joke.
I shall treat myself tonight with a screening of this, Luke, as I can’t resist such a cast, nor gin and tonics on a veranda…in Shepperton or otherwise!
Michael? Suspect you were also thinking of Simon Ward, at the same time? Interesting! Great actor, in my opinion. Michael Y. Contrast his performance in Conduct Unbecoming, where he's earnest, naive and honest - and his performance in Losey's Accident (1967), where he's a languid young aristo. Entirely different. And yes, not exactly mainstream, which may explain why he never made it to the very, very top.
Ha-ha…yes, Freudian slip, Luke. Of course, I meant Michael.
Of Simon Ward, my most memorable image of him is as the creepy bus conductor in I Start Counting from way back in the beginning of his career…which is odd, no? But he is very creepy in that!
I met Mr. Ward, once, at a summer drinks party on a lawn in Oxfordshire. He looked about 16, altho' was probably in his mid 40s? Young Winston. And the man was wearing the most natty and splendid pair of thick corduroys in a sort of RAF blue. I've never forgotten. How's that for name dropping?
Interesting. I'll put it on the list. I've always enjoyed watching Michael York. Another 1970s film of his that's worth watching is Something for Everyone.
Thanks watched it, vaguely remember it But wooden in places, yes Christopher Plummer was phoning it in. ‘To the Regiment, I wish I was there!’
The Man Who Haunted Himself was great.
Excellent description and I remember seeing this at the time because of Michael York’s run of films and who wouldn’t go see Susannah York! Good cast though I agree that sometimes Christopher Plummer would phone into a film. This was also when I would see anything with Stacy Keach in it! Only years later did I understand just how much of “The Raj” survived into the Indian Army post-independence which probably helped the film makers with the spectacle.
Yes. It was filmed in present day Pakistan (i.e. formerly British India) and it's quite possible that they received help from the Pakistan army? Not entirely sure. As otherwise, it's all filmed on a set at Shepperton studios. Incidentally, did the (British) Indian Army wear scarlet on active service in 1878? Or had they switched to khaki?
It was actually a rather gradual transition that apparently began with the units of Native “Guides” in the 1840s, accelerated during the “Mutiny” and by the 1880s was pretty much standard. The “Welsh” in “Zulu” would have been in khaki but they went with red/scarlet for the visual.
I remember watching Rob Roy as a child and being very confused about the English troops marching into enemy guerrilla territory beating drums and blowing on woodwind instruments dressed in bright red uniforms. Was this a death wish? Here we are. Please kill us now,
Not sure we've actually seen this as the multiple versions of The Four Feathers, including the 1978 Simon Ward and Robert Powell tend to suck all the scarlet uniformed pukka air out of the room.
Watched THAT Four Feathers remake the other day, and I have to say, I rather liked it. A revised opinion.
He’s a bit of a curate’s egg, is he not, our Simon? Classically handsome but something a bit odd, too (like Richard ‘John Boy Walton’ Thomas), and always a little strained, as though on the verge of some inner breakdown, he never translated to the big star status his earlier work suggested. Not exactly wooden, but not all flesh and blood, either.
The repressed and closeted ‘character’ of Christopher Isherwood in Cabaret was perfect for him, and he’s very good in it, though, of course, Liza Minnelli steals everything in that film…ha-ha!
It was nice to see him making fun of himself in the Austin Power thingy, but even there you suspect he’s not really in on the joke.
I shall treat myself tonight with a screening of this, Luke, as I can’t resist such a cast, nor gin and tonics on a veranda…in Shepperton or otherwise!
Thanks again, Luke!
Michael? Suspect you were also thinking of Simon Ward, at the same time? Interesting! Great actor, in my opinion. Michael Y. Contrast his performance in Conduct Unbecoming, where he's earnest, naive and honest - and his performance in Losey's Accident (1967), where he's a languid young aristo. Entirely different. And yes, not exactly mainstream, which may explain why he never made it to the very, very top.
I saw Simon Ward live on stage in Robert Lowell’s version of Phaedre. Also starring was the divine Barbara Jefford who also did some fillums.
Ha-ha…yes, Freudian slip, Luke. Of course, I meant Michael.
Of Simon Ward, my most memorable image of him is as the creepy bus conductor in I Start Counting from way back in the beginning of his career…which is odd, no? But he is very creepy in that!
And I meant no slight on Michael…ha-ha!
I met Mr. Ward, once, at a summer drinks party on a lawn in Oxfordshire. He looked about 16, altho' was probably in his mid 40s? Young Winston. And the man was wearing the most natty and splendid pair of thick corduroys in a sort of RAF blue. I've never forgotten. How's that for name dropping?
I love name dropping.
Shameless…you, not the programme. Now, that I would have watched-Simon Ward in Shameless (not that I ever watched Shameless)!
Interesting. I'll put it on the list. I've always enjoyed watching Michael York. Another 1970s film of his that's worth watching is Something for Everyone.
Thanks for this! I will investigate further. Michael York's especially good in Conduct Unbecoming, I think. Brilliant actor.