Plot: What’s it about?
A cult has turned into a powerful outlet in India, with potential to sweep over more regions and perhaps take control of some outward lands. This is of great concern, since the cult isn’t a positive group, instead a band of brutal and murderous people. Not the kind of folks you want in power and since the land is under British control, a response is certain. So orders are sent down to a British outpost, for three of the station’s Sergeants to lead a charge against the ruthless cult members. The men are Ballantine (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.), Cutter (Cary Grant), and MacChesney (Victor McLaglen), three loyal and dedicated soldiers. All three love to serve, as long as it allows them to fight, drink, and romance some women. So the trio sets off to battle the cult, but there is more than military thoughts on their minds. Ballantine has taken a fiance and in order to fulfill his obligations in that area, he plans to leave the service. His friends can’t stand the thought of his absence, so a plot is hatched to keep him in the ranks, at least for a while. A tale is weaved of a temple loaded with gold, treasure that Ballantine can have a cut of, if it is discovered. A mission like this is sure to be dangerous, but even these veteran soldiers couldn’t have expected all the traps ahead. The cult is just one of numerous threats that rage in their path, each with a chance to make this their final assignment. But that won’t stop the men from fighting until the end, with some wild side adventures to boot. Will the trio stop the cult’s transition to power and even if so, what will become of their bond if Ballantine chooses to leave?
If you visit your local video store, you’ll find a section titled “action & adventure,” which is where those types of movies are lumped together. But if you look at the movies within, you’ll see ten or more action titles for each one of adventure, not a solid ratio. This is because action movies have all but run the adventure genre out of business, which is a real shame. Indiana Jones revamped the genre and sparked new interest, but the trend didn’t catch on, so action remained the king of the hill. But adventure used to be the top dog, back when swashbucklers, brave explorers, and relic hunters dominated the screen. One of the best of the lot is Gunga Din, based on the poem by Rudyard Kipling, of course. This film has it all, famous faces, grand set pieces, high adventure, and all the fun a viewer could want. The cast is a highlight, with Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. all on deck, not to mention Joan Fontaine and Sam Jaffe. The influence of Gunga Din is obvious, as anyone who has seen the Indiana Jones series can relate. This film was released in 1939 however, so perhaps the special effects and polish aren’t up to muster, but for the time period, these elements perform quite well. The fight scenes have a vintage texture, but are effective, while the production design is superb, with some incredible sets and locations that are sure to dazzle audiences. The film also has a sense of humor, so the affair isn’t all serious, but then again, this movie is too much fun to be deadpan. I was thrilled to see Warner issue this title, especially in such a solid treatment. The transfer isn’t restored, but looks more than acceptable, while the extras are more than I expected to find. So in the end, Gunga Din is a wildly entertaining motion picture, one the entire family can enjoy and with such a nice disc, this release is recommended.
Video: How does it look?
Gunga Din is presented in full frame, as intended. This is a very good looking treatment, better than I had anticipated. The print shows flecks, debris, and grain at times, but only in minor doses. The nicks never amount to much, while the grain never becomes a cause for concern. The image is quite sharp, with minimal softness I could detect, which is great news for a film from 1939. The black & white visuals come off as crisp and refined, thanks to great contrast. Even in darker scenes, the visuals shine through well. So Warner has done some solid work here, which is sure to delight fans.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included mono option is basic and has some flaws, but for a movie of this vintage, I think the audio is more than solid. The action scenes allow for more punch, but this is mono, so that means louder, not more intense or immersive. The music has solid presence also, given the film’s age and such, which enhances things even more. As far as dialogue, vocals sound crisp and clean throughout, with no signs of trouble to report. A few instances of harshness and distortion could be detected, but nothing worth worrying about. This disc also includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
An audio commentary kicks off this section, as film historian Rudy Behlmer provides his take on this classic adventure. As usual, Behlmer has all of his ducks in a row, with a well versed and well prepared session that takes us behind the scenes. In addition to information on the film and the production, Behlmer provides insight on the stars and folks behind the camera. So we learn not just about how the movie was made, but also about the people who helped craft the picture. An eleven minute featurette is home to new interviews that are worthwhile, but the piece is too brief to allow much depth. This disc also includes the vintage animated short The Film Fan, as well as two of the film’s theatrical trailers.
