7.9
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Traditional
Viewer Rating
Rating: 7.9
Overview
In the Northwest Frontier of India, the 41st Bengal Lancers leaded by the harsh Colonel Tom Stone are having trouble with the rebellious leader Mohammed Khan. After two casualties, the experienced but insubordinate Lieutenant Alan McGregor receives as replacement, the arrogant Lieutenant Forsythe and the immature son of Colonel Stone, Lieutenant Donald Stone. With the intention to prove that he will not have any privilege in the troop, the reception of Colonel Stone to his son is absolutely cold, but he becomes the protégé of McGregor. When Lieutenant Stone is kidnapped by Mohammed Khan, McGregor and Forsythe disobey the direct order of their commander, disguise as Indian peddlers and go to Khan's fortress to attempt to rescue their friend.
Starring Cast
Bias Dimensions
Political: Strong Right
Diversity: Low
Christianity: Positive
Islam: Negative
Overview
In the Northwest Frontier of India, the 41st Bengal Lancers leaded by the harsh Colonel Tom Stone are having trouble with the rebellious leader Mohammed Khan. After two casualties, the experienced but insubordinate Lieutenant Alan McGregor receives as replacement, the arrogant Lieutenant Forsythe and the immature son of Colonel Stone, Lieutenant Donald Stone. With the intention to prove that he will not have any privilege in the troop, the reception of Colonel Stone to his son is absolutely cold, but he becomes the protégé of McGregor. When Lieutenant Stone is kidnapped by Mohammed Khan, McGregor and Forsythe disobey the direct order of their commander, disguise as Indian peddlers and go to Khan's fortress to attempt to rescue their friend.
Starring Cast
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Traditional
Primary
The film explicitly champions British imperialism and military virtues, portraying the colonial presence as a necessary force for order against native rebellion, thereby promoting a clearly conservative ideology of empire and national strength.
This 1935 colonial drama features traditional casting with a predominantly white male lead cast, reflecting the norms of its era. The narrative positively frames traditional identities and British colonial rule, without any critique or presence of diversity, equity, or inclusion themes.
Secondary
The film implicitly upholds the values and moral code of the British officers, which are culturally rooted in a Western, Christian-influenced worldview. Their actions are consistently portrayed as honorable, just, and necessary for maintaining order in the colonies.
Islam is primarily represented through the antagonist, Mohammed Khan, and his followers, who are depicted as fanatical, cruel, and treacherous. The narrative frames their actions as barbaric and a threat to civilization, with no counterbalancing positive portrayal.
The film 'The Lives of a Bengal Lancer' (1935) is a historical adventure drama set in British India. It does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes, aligning with the common cinematic conventions and censorship standards of its era.
The film primarily focuses on male British soldiers and their conflicts in India. There are no significant female characters depicted in direct physical combat roles against male opponents.
The film adapts a semi-autobiographical novel about British officers in India. All major characters, originally male in the source material, are portrayed as male in the film, with no instances of gender alteration.
The film features British characters portrayed by white actors and Indian characters portrayed by white actors in period-typical casting. However, the depicted race of each character on screen aligns with their established race in the source material, meaning no character's race was changed from one racial category to another.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.0
6.6
Critic Ratings
10.0
N/A
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