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Alfred Tennyson's epic poem of the heroic charge at Balaclava during the Crimea War (1853 - 1856), is brought to the screen in all its magnificence and glory. Errol Flynn and Olivia De Haviland head a a stellar cast in this fictionalised portrayal of the events leading to the still unanswered account of why 600 British cavalrymen engaged in a suicidal charge against an overwhelming Russian force of 25,000. The gallant Major Geoffrey Vickers (Errol Flynn), leads the infamous 27th Dragoon Guard Lancers in their quest for the treacherous Indian Chieftain Surat Khan who has joined the Russian forces following his massacre of innocent women and children at the 27th's unprotected outpost in North West India. Within the turbulent scenario, a delicate love triangle tests the mettle of Vickers, his brother and his beautiful fiancee Elsa Campbell (Olivia De Haviland). The brillaint direction of Michael Curtiz ('Casablanca', 'The Adventures Of Robin Hood', combined with the Academy Award-nominated Best Score by Max Steiner, charge the film towards a climax that can be considered nothing less than classic.
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