The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968 Tony Richardson)

In William Boyd's list of successful war films in that it is as realistic and accurate as possible and doesn't glorify or sentimentalise war.* The actual charge is presented as a massive balls-up brought about by feuding officers and crap decision-making (personified by a brilliant Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews and John Gielgud). The film also spotlights the lunacy of the soldiers and the situations, with lots of priceless dialogue. Charles Wood's screenplay shows how insane Howard's Lord Cardigan is (having David Hemmings arrested for bringing a 'black bottle' to the mess table; having the tents continually taken down and re-erected). Also the treatment of soldiers and horses (and wives - wives were taken to the front?? And why not.) There's also a romantic triangle - reminiscent of Giu La Testa - for good measure.

The decision to anti-climaxise (why not?) the actual Charge cost the film dearly at the box office, according to Alexander Walker in 'Hollywood, England'.

Handsomely mounted in Panavision by David Watkin and Roy Stevens (production design) and Edward Marshall (art direction), music by John Addison, editing by Hugh Reggett and Kevin Brownlow (supervising), useful animations by Richard Williams. Peter Suschitsky is on second unit camera. A Woodfall production.

With Vanessa Redgrave, Jill Bennett, Ben Aris, Peter Bowles.

Richardson had a most interesting career: Look Back in Anger (Richard Burton), A Taste of Honey, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Tom Jones, The Loved One, Mademoiselle, The Sailor from Gibraltar, most of these edited by Tony Gibbs, this, went off a bit after that, ended up on The Hotel New Hampshire.. though should not be confused with Richard Lester.

*Rest of list: Full Metal Jacket, Musa the Warrior (2001 South Korea), Captain Conan (France 1996, Tavernier, WW1, very authentic looking), Downfall, Catch 22, Battle for Haditha (2007 Afghanistan docu-drama),  The Hurt Locker, Das Boot, Contact, Band of Brothers, Tumbledown (Colin Firth in 1988 TV movie, also written by Charles Wood), Platoon, The Bridge (1959 German, teenage soldiers), A Very Long Engagement, The War Lover, The Battle of Britain, Black Hawk Down, Hell in the Pacific, The Battle of Algiers, Oh What a Lovely War!,  The Duellists, Cross of Iron, Generation Kill, The Valley of Elah.