The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968): Cast & Plot
The Charge of the Light Brigade is a 1968 historical drama directed by Tony Richardson, starring Trevor Howard as Lord Cardigan, Laurence Harvey and Ernest Blyth. It runs 2 hours 19 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 19m (139 min)
- Director
- Tony Richardson
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Woodfall Film Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Charge of the Light Brigade About?
The premise of The Charge of the Light Brigade without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set amid the Crimean War of the 1850s, a British light cavalry unit under the domineering Lord Cardigan receives a misguided order and rides into a disastrous assault on a well‑positioned Russian artillery battery. The reckless charge results in heavy losses and has become synonymous with blind obedience to faulty commands.
The Charge of the Light Brigade Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 1850s
- crimean war
- battlefield
- extramarital affair
- female topless nudity
- siege
- battle
- cavalry charge
- massacre
- last stand
- honor
- tragic hero
+38 more Show fewer
- british history
- violence
- british soldier
- british empire
- british army
- russian soldier
- briton abroad
- dead soldier
- military uniform
- military officer
- 19th century
- part animated
- implied sex
- woman in love with male best friend
- death of protagonist
- military defeat
- horseback riding
- death of a horse
- wrong order
- machismo
- wedding reception
- pregnant wife
- male nudity
- outdoor nudity
- male rear nudity
- light cavalry
- bottle of beer
- male male friendship
- cholera
- bloody wound
- gore
- field hospital
- amputation
- ship voyage
- brother in law brother in law conflict
- arrogance
- director cameo
- adultery
The Charge of the Light Brigade Cast & Characters
Trevor Howard leads the cast as Lord Cardigan, with Laurence Harvey as Russian Prince (Uncredited) and Ernest Blyth as Army Officer Awaiting Posting (Uncredited). Directed by Tony Richardson; 52 actors are credited in all.
- Director Tony Richardson
-
Trevor Howard as Lord Cardigan -
Laurence Harvey as Russian Prince (Uncredited) - Ernest Blyth as Army Officer Awaiting Posting (Uncredited)
-
David Hemmings as Capt. Louis Edward Nolan
Also Starring in The Charge of the Light Brigade
· 48 more- Dino Shafeek Indian Servant
- John Gielgud Lord Raglan
- Harry Andrews Lord Lucan
- Vanessa Redgrave Mrs Clarissa Morris
- T. P. McKenna William Russel
- Jill Bennett Mrs. Fanny Duberly
- Peter Bowles Paymaster Capt. Duberly
- Mark Burns Captain Morris
- Donald Wolfit 'Macbeth'
- Natasha Richardson Flower Girl at Wedding (Uncredited)
- Michael Miller Maj.Gen.Sir Colin Campbell
- Norman Rossington TSM Corbett
- Howard Marion-Crawford Lt. Gen. Sir George Brown
- Corin Redgrave Capt. Featherstonhaugh
- Mark Dignam Gen. Airey
- John Hallam Officer
Show all 52 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harry Fielder Soldier (Uncredited)
- Georges Douking Marshall At. Arnaud
- Barbara Hicks Mrs Duberly's Maid
- Rachel Kempson Mrs Codrington
- Juba Kennerley Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Helen Cherry Lady Scarlett
- Ben Aris Lt. Maxse
- Andrew Faulds Quaker Preacher
- Dido Plumb Tramp (Uncredited)
- Peter Woodthorpe Cardigan's Valet
- Declan Mulholland Farrier
- Alan Dobie Riding Master Mogg
- Willoughby Goddard Squire
- Ben Howard Trumpeter Pridmore
- James Payne Trooper (Uncredited)
- Christopher Chittell Trooper
- Richard Graydon Lord Bingham
- Mick Dillon Highlander
- John J. Carney Trooper Mitchell
- Derek Fuke Trooper
- Leo Britt General Scarlett
- Christopher Cunningham Farrier
- Micky Baker Trooper Metcalfe
- Ambrose Coghill Lt. Col. Douglas
- Roger Mutton Cornet Codrington
- Clive Endersby Trooper
- Roy Pattison RSM
- John Trenaman Sgt Smith
- Colin Vancao Capt. Charteris
- Derek Gray Officer
- Ian Hanson Singing Trooper
- Valerie Newman Mrs Mitchell
More from Tony Richardson
More films directed by Tony Richardson, best-rated first: Tom Jones, The Entertainer, Look Back in Anger and The Border.
The Charge of the Light Brigade Plot Summary
What happens in The Charge of the Light Brigade from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Set against the Crimean War (1853–1856), the film dives into the folly of war and the brittle state of the British Army, where bureaucracy, class arrogance, and outdated tactics hobble leadership just as the empire marches into a brutal European conflict. The story centers on Captain Louis Nolan, David Hemmings, a relatively capable officer who earned his commission on merit rather than purchase, a rarity among his aristocratic peers who often treat subordinates’ lives as expendable. Nolan’s perspective is sharp and wary: he sees through the casual bravado of a system that prizes status over competence and he does not hesitate to challenge it.
Full summary
The whole story of The Charge of the Light Brigade, scene by scene
The Charge of the Light Brigade Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Charge of the Light Brigade.
How Well Do You Know The Charge of the Light Brigade?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Captain Louis Nolan?
Seen The Charge of the Light Brigade?
Movies Like The Charge of the Light Brigade
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Charge of the Light Brigade and The Lighthorsemen.
-
The Charge of the Light Brigade 1936 -
The Charge of the Light Brigade 1912 -
The Lighthorsemen 1987 -
Bengal Brigade 1954 -
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer 1935 -
Battle of the Brave 2004 -
The Battle 1911 -
Naval Cadets III 1992 -
Knight Without Armour 1937 -
The Devil’s Brigade 1968 -
The Black Watch 1929 -
The Red and the White 1967
The Charge of the Light Brigade FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Charge of the Light Brigade, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Charge of the Light Brigade?
The Charge of the Light Brigade runs 2 hours 19 minutes (139 minutes).
When was The Charge of the Light Brigade released?
The Charge of the Light Brigade was released on April 10, 1968.
Who directed The Charge of the Light Brigade?
The Charge of the Light Brigade was directed by Tony Richardson.
More films by Tony Richardson Who is in the cast of The Charge of the Light Brigade?
The Charge of the Light Brigade stars Trevor Howard as Lord Cardigan, Laurence Harvey as Russian Prince (Uncredited) and Ernest Blyth as Army Officer Awaiting Posting (Uncredited), among 52 credited actors.
Does The Charge of the Light Brigade have a post-credit scene?
No. The Charge of the Light Brigade has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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