Review of Gunga Din (1939) by Matthew B — 23 Feb 2009

One of the original standard bearers for all other action movies. It has it all: sword fights, cavalry, comedy, great characters, a temple (of doom perhaps) and a pit of viperous snakes. The story is simple yet entertaining, and the third act was a bit of a nail bitter.

I'm not sure if it was intentional, or just standard for the time, but this movie unabashedly shows elitism prejudice towards a false stereotype of the Indian culture. Some might just say it is outright racist, but it is probably true to attitude and thoughts that the British soldiers in the late 1800's British occupied India possessed.

If you can get past those parts, than you'll find a very entertaining action adventure movie.