This is the quintessentail action-adventure buddy film. Made in 1939 (what was it about that year and great movies?) Gunga Din was directed by George Stevens and stars Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Sam Jaffe.
Loosely based upon the Rudyard Kipling poem, Gunga Din follows the exploits of three sergeants in the British army who are stationed in India in the 19th century. Involved in a war against a murderous cult of assassins, our heroes still find opportunities to seek treasure, fall in love, and get themselves into trouble. All in rollicking good fun.
In the midst of their trvails, one of the trio (Fairbanks) decides to leave the service, marry, and go into the textile business. Grant and McLaglen's attempts to convince him otherwise are funny and add a subtext to the film that help make it memorable.
Sam Jaffe, as a native lowly waterboy, longs to become a soldier and is at first ridiculed for his goal but he eventually becomes a hero worthy of the respect of his regiment.
Look for a great scene with a tipsy Cary Grant trying to convince McLaglen to let him go seek a golden temple, tough McLaglen softened by an ailing elephant, and Grant attempting to arrest hundreds of assassins on his own.
Younger viewers who can't tolerate films in black and white should put their prejudices aside for this one. It's worth it.
Funny, action packed, clever, and sentimental, Gunga Din is not to be missed.
Note: Remade in the '60s as a Rat Pack movie called Sergeants 3.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031398/
1938 George Cukor comedy starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn was a follow-up to the success Grant and Hepburn had with Bringing Up Baby.
