Young British officers Arthur Drake (Michael York) and Edward Millington (James Faulkner) report for duty on probation with a famous cavalry regiment on India’s North-West Frontier in the 1870s.
Second Lieutenant Drake is anxious to get on and immediately begins to conform to the rigid traditions and extravagant rituals which govern life in the Officers’ Mess.
But Second Lieutenant Millington, the son of a regimental hero, hates his father, despises the Army, and aims – by making himself thoroughly disagreeable – to have himself sent home to England as soon as possible.
He sits in the hallowed armchair reserved for the Colonel (Trevor Howard), is insubordinate to the Senior Subaltern (Michael Culver), and, by sarcastic remarks and frequent drunkenness, furrows the brow of the Second-in-Command, Major Roach (Richard Attenborough).
On the hot, sultry night of the Regimental Ball, Millington – drunk again – watches dashing Major Wimbourne (Christopher Plummer) dance with an attractive and somewhat saucy officer’s widow, Mrs Marjorie Scarlett (Susannah York).
She has a reputation for giving “favours” to senior officers and, when she retires to the gardens for a breath of air during the ball, Millington lurches after her.
Minutes later, to the consternation of the dancers at this glittering and immaculate occasion, she stumbles back in, bruised, bleeding and with her dress torn.
Shivering with terror, she accuses Millington of violently attacking her.
Delightedly anticipating conviction and a rapid discharge to England, Millington does not deny it and is placed under close arrest.
A clandestine, off-the-books court-martial is arranged in order to try Millington and preserve the honour of the regiment. Lt. Drake acts as his defence attorney.
The case seems cut-and-dried, but Drake has other ideas and soon uncovers some alarming evidence.
Jeremy Clyde of the singing group Chad and Jeremy had played the lead in the play in London. He wasn’t considered for this movie, however, as the studio wanted to go with a more established star.
2nd Lt. Arthur Drake
Michael York 2nd Lt. Edward Millington
James Faulkner Maj. Lionel E. Roach
Richard Attenborough Mrs. Marjorie Scarlett
Susannah York Col. Benjamin Strang
Trevor Howard Mrs Strang
Helen Cherry Capt. Harper
Stacy Keach Maj. Alastair Wimbourne
Christopher Plummer Lt. Richard Fothergill
Michael Culver Mrs Bandanai
Persis Khambatta 2nd Lt. Toby Strang
Michael Byrne Lt. Frank Hart
Michael Fleming 2nd Lt. Winters
David Robb 2nd Lt. Boulton
David Purcell 2nd Lt. Hutton
Andrew Lodge 2nd Lt. Truly
David Neville Pradah Singh
Rafiq Anwar Doctor
James Donald
Director
Michael Anderson
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Second Lieutenant Drake is anxious to get on and immediately begins to conform to the rigid traditions and extravagant rituals which govern life in the Officers’ Mess.
Minutes later, to the consternation of the dancers at this glittering and immaculate occasion, she stumbles back in, bruised, bleeding and with her dress torn.
