GUNS AT BATASI
Starring Richard Attenborough and Jack Hawkins

This stark, early sixties black and white treasure played on TV recently. Thank heaven, because the Video Gods have failed to deem this one worthy of a release. They’re wrong. We have been deprived.

We’re back to the theme of British Colonialism. This time in a fictitious African country where a military outpost is taken over by rebelling black soldiers who are assisting a new government coming to power.

The plot is quite straightforward with a lovely twist ending. But the characters and performances are what this one is all about.

Richard Attenborough, as always, is brilliant. Here, his character is reminiscent of Alec Guinness’ great tragic portrayal in TUNES OF GLORY. Attenborough’ s military-to-the-core Sergeant Major is an utterly convincing characterization. Jack Hawkins as the Commanding Officer equally complements him. (Did these two ever give a bad performance?) Old Jack always made it look easy. Pity those who undervalue his brilliance as a performer. An exceptionally young and freshly beautiful Mia Farrow appears as well.

This is another great film ripe for commercial release. It’s a powerful portrayal of recent history (1960s) and still resonates with irony and importance.

How many of you have had the same fantasy as me—whereby you get to decide what gets released to video/DVD and what doesn’t?

Jon Ted Wynne