Set during the last days of the British Empire, Richard Attenborough plays Regimental Sergeant-Major Lauderdale, the martinet of an East African military outpost in the middle of the transfer of authority between the white overlords and a newly independent African nation on the eve that native revolutionists start a reign of terror.
The actor spent a year trailing an RSM in preparation for the role, and it paid rich dividends. Ferociously steely and ultra-officious, Attenborough is utterly convincing as Lauderdale, a man whose career is his very reason for being.
The coup d’état that threatens his position brings out the best and worst in the man.
Regimental Sgt. Major Lauderdale
Richard Attenborough Colonel Deal
Jack Hawkins Miss Barker-Wise
Flora Robson Private Wilkes
John Leyton KarenEriksson
Mia Farrow Fletcher
Cecil Parker Lieut. Boniface
Errol John Sgt. ‘Dodger’ Brown
Graham Stark Captain Abraham
Earl Cameron Colour Sgt. Ben Parkin
Percy Herbert Sgt. ‘Muscles’ Dunn
David Lodge Sgt. ‘Schoolie’ Prideaux
Bernard Horsfall Sgt. ‘Aussie’ Drake
John Meillon Corporal Abou
Horace James Captain
Patrick Holt
Director
John Guillermin
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