The Brigand of Kandahar

The Brigand of Kandahar

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1965
Founder	John Gilling (director)
Products	Adventure film

The Brigand of Kandahar is a 1965 British adventure motion picture helmed by director John Gilling, featuring performances by Ronald Lewis, Oliver Reed, and Duncan Lamont. The narrative centers on Case, an officer of the British Indian Army who, after being dishonourably discharged for alleged cowardice, joins forces with Indian bandits to seize control of a British stronghold. This film exemplifies a period in British cinema where foreign warriors were often portrayed as central characters and includes significant sequences repurposed from Zarak. Notably, it represents Ronald Lewis’s last leading role in a feature-length production.

Plot

Set in 1850 along India’s North West Frontier, Lieutenant Case—a mixed-heritage Bengal Lancers officer—is court-martialed and dishonourably dismissed following an unsuccessful mission deemed cowardly. With assistance from local tribesmen, he escapes incarceration and forms an alliance with Eli Khan, the brigand chief, agreeing to train his men for an assault on a British fort while demanding that civilians remain unharmed. Case finds himself torn between his British military background and his new allegiance, particularly as Khan resorts to prisoner torture.

James Marriott, a British war correspondent, probes into Case’s situation at the fort. Colonel Drewe leads several expeditions to uncover Khan’s hideout, ultimately locating it through villagers forced to divulge information. During one such operation, Marriott and others are ambushed and captured by the brigands. While Case cautions against escape attempts, his reactions toward the captives reveal inner conflict.

Marriott is dispatched with assurances guaranteeing civilian safety during evacuation; Colonel Drewe consents to these terms. However, Ratina—Eli Khan’s sister—organizes an ambush targeting the evacuees. Elsa, Case’s former lover and spouse of a captured officer, is taken prisoner and becomes the focus of contention between Case and Khan. Following Eli Khan’s return and preparations for attack, a dispute over Elsa erupts; she manages to flee alongside Marriott to alert the fort.

Case ultimately kills Eli Khan and assumes command of the Ghilzi bandits. The subsequent assault on the fort ends unsuccessfully due to British ambush strategies and cavalry charges incorporating footage from Zarak. Wounded in action, Case retreats to the cave hideout pursued by Colonel Drewe. A final gunfight results in fatal injuries for both Case and Ratina.

Back at the fort, Marriott prepares an article condemning Colonel Drewe’s racially prejudiced treatment of Case, underscoring the injustice experienced by the mixed-race officer. The film concludes with the arrival of British reinforcements accompanied by bugle calls.

Cast

• Ronald Lewis as Case
• Oliver Reed as Ali Khan
• Duncan Lamont as Colonel Drewe
• Yvonne Romain as Ratina
• Katherine Woodville as Elsa
• Glyn Houston as Marriott
• Sean Lynch as Rattu
• Walter Brown as Hitala
• Inigo Jackson as Captain Boyd
• Jeremy Burnham as Captain Connelly
• Joe Powell as Colour Sergeant
• Henry Davies as Crowe
• Caron Gardner as serving maid
• John Southworth as Barlow
• Basdeo Panday

Critical reception

A review in Time Out characterized the film as a conventional military adventure set during 1850s India, pointing out certain production constraints; in contrast, TV Guide praised its "fast-paced, well-executed, and engaging" battle sequences.

Bibliography

• Monk, Claire; Sargeant, Amy. British historical cinema: the history, heritage and costume film. Routledge, 2002.
• Richards, Jeffrey. Visions of Yesterday. Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1973.