Directed by Tony Richardson
Written by Charles Wood
Cinematography: David Watkin
Film Editing: Kevin Brownlow and Hugh Raggett
The Charge of the Light Brigade is a British war film made in 1968 by Woodfall Film Productions, which held the rights to the 1936 film version at the time. It was directed by Tony Richardson.
The screenplay was written by Charles Wood from a first draft (uncredited) by John Osborne. It aimed to be brutally authentic, based in part on the research in Cecil Woodham-Smith’s The Reason Why (1953). The film included animations by Richard Williams, based on the contemporary graphic style of Punch Magazine, in order to explain the political events surrounding the battle. The music score was by John Addison and the cinematography by David Watkin.
The barracks scenes in the first half of the film were filmed at Aldershot in Hampshire, while the ‘Crimea’ scenes, including the Charge itself, were filmed in Turkey.
The Charge of the Light Brigade was nominated for six BAFTA Film Awards.
Camera and Electrical Department
Alan McCabe: camera operator
Bernie Prentice: gaffer (as Bernard Prentice)
Success is counted sweetest by those who ne’er succeed.