Gunga Din (1939)

Gunga Din Poster

British army sergeants Ballantine, Cutter and MacChesney serve in India during the 1880s, along with their native water-bearer, Gunga Din. While completing a dangerous telegraph-repair mission, they unearth evidence of the suppressed Thuggee cult. When Gunga Din tells the sergeants about a secret temple made of gold, the fortune-hunting Cutter is captured by the Thuggees, and it's up to his friends to rescue him.

Introduction to Gunga Din
"Gunga Din" is a classic experience film launched in 1939 directed by George Stevens. It is based upon the narrative poem composed by Rudyard Kipling and was adjusted by Joel Sayre and Fred Guiol. The film features popular stars such as Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Sam Jaffe, and Eduardo Ciannelli.

Plot Summary
"Gunga Din" is set in colonial India around the 19th century. The plot focuses on a trio of soldiers in the British Army - Sgt. Archibald Cutter (Cary Grant), Sgt. MacChesney (Victor McLaglen), and Sgt. Ballantine (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), and an indigenous water provider named Gunga Din (Sam Jaffe).

Gunga Din, who dreams of becoming a soldier, is an admirer of the British Regiment. The story sets in motion when the 3 sergeants are informed about the uprising of a violent cult, the Thugees. Due to Sgt. Ballantine's strategies to leave the service to get married, it's up to Sgt. Cutter and Sgt. MacChesney, together with Gunga Din, to embark on a mission to quash the Thuggee rebellion.

Plot Confrontation
Adventurous Cutter, convinced by a tale of a covert treasure, persuades Gunga Din to lead him to a golden temple, which ends up being the secret hideout of the Thuggee cult. Cutter and Gunga Din are captured by the Thuggees, led by Guru (Eduardo Ciannelli). Cutter gets away however fails to encourage his superiors of the Thuggee hazard. Meanwhile, Gunga Din is held captive and is charged to end up being a temple drummer or "Duggha Boy."

Climax and Conclusion
The climax happens when Din is forced to drum for a Thuggee attack on the diminished British troops, signifying the start of the Thuggee uprising. Showing nerve and patriotism, Gunga Din sounds a bugle instead of a drum to alert the British soldiers but is fatally shot while doing so. This moment of heroism, helps the British forces to rearrange themselves and provides a fighting possibility versus the Thuggees.

In conclusion, Sgt. Cutter, Sgt. MacChesney, and even the officially retired Sgt. Ballantine gather the regiment and defeat the Thuggees. The mortally injured Gunga Din dies in Sgt. Cutter's arms saying his long cherished imagine becoming a soldier, and in recognition of his bravery, he is posthumously commissioned as a corporal and venerated as a martyr by the British forces.

Effect and Legacy of Gunga Din
"Gunga Din", regardless of being released at the end of the 1930s, continues to impact pop culture and holds substantial significance in the history of experience films. Achieving substantial commercial success upon its release, it showcased not just flamboyant action, but likewise comradery, humor, and aspects of espionage. The movie's portrayal of the protagonist Gunga Din as a brave character in spite of being a native water carrier challenged the typical stereotypes of the time. "Gunga Din" stays a traditional in the experience film category and is thought about one of the very best films in Hollywood's Golden Age.

Top Cast

  • Cary Grant (small)
    Cary Grant
    Archibald Cutter
  • Victor McLaglen (small)
    Victor McLaglen
    MacChesney
  • Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (small)
    Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
    Thomas Anthony Ballantine
  • Sam Jaffe (small)
    Sam Jaffe
    Gunga Din
  • Eduardo Ciannelli (small)
    Eduardo Ciannelli
    Guru
  • Joan Fontaine (small)
    Joan Fontaine
    Emmaline "Emmy" Stebbins
  • Montagu Love (small)
    Montagu Love
    Colonel Weed
  • Robert Coote (small)
    Robert Coote
    Bertie Higginbotham
  • Abner Biberman (small)
    Abner Biberman
    Chota
  • Lumsden Hare (small)
    Lumsden Hare
    Major Mitchell
  • Leslie Sketchley
    Corporal (uncredited)