Review of Gunga Din (1939) by David F — 12 Jan 2009
One of the all-time great screen adventures (it even served as the story template for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) which pits three British soldiers, joyfully played by Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., against a blood-thirsty Thugee army. And at the center of it all is the Brits' loyal water-boy Gunga Din (played by Sam Jaffee, a 41 year-old Russian-American Jew who pulled off playing a young Indian boy rather well [in preparing for the role the actor just thought, "How would Sabu do it?"]).
Chock-full of action and humor, thanks to a great script by ace screenwriters Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, along with very unique direction by George Stevens, who uses his background in silent comedy shorts along with many an extreme close-up, to their fullest effect, this is one picture that never fails entertain.
This review of Gunga Din (1939) was written by David F on 12 Jan 2009.
Gunga Din has generally received positive reviews.
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