Soldiers Three Reviews

In 1890s India, Pidgeon is a British officer trying to capture Hale, an Indian leader who wants his people to rise against the queen's rule. Pidgeon is recalled from this duty, though, and sent to a base at Hyderalipore. There he meets Allenby, who takes command over Pidgeon. In addition to this new worry from above, Pidgeon must constantly monitor the behavior of three men in his command: Granger, Newton, and Cusack, who are consistently disobedient and often drunk. Pidgeon gets Niven, an adjutant officer, to promote Granger from the rank of private to sergeant, hoping to break up the threesome and stop the shenanigans. However, one battle later the unholy trio are back together. In another attempt to stop them from their hellraising, Newton and Cusack are sent to accompany an ammunition convoy without their pal. Granger manages to desert the army and catch up with his friends, finding them under attack from Ansara, a former ally of Hale's who has turned from Hale now that it seems his ideas are more in line with the Britons'. Pidgeon ignores his superior's orders and leads an attack to save the convoy. He is successful and Granger kills Ansara in the onslaught. Though he should be court-martialed for disobedience, Pidgeon receives a promotion to brigadier-general, while Granger is demoted for desertion, which of course reunites him with his two comrades. This is a slight but enjoyable romp. The story line is thin but the antics of Granger, Newton, and Cusack, playing their roles as broadly as can be, make up for it. This was the second Kipling-based picture for producer Berman, who had done GUNGA DIN in 1939. Many found this film a disappointment considering the quality of that picture. SOLDIERS THREE had the honor of being acclaimed by the British Daily Express before production was even begun. MGM studios was given a special medal by the nationally conscious newspaper for casting Englishmen in the film, and also for having the intelligence to import other Britons to fill out the production's minor roles.