Movies
Guns at Batasi (TCF 1964, Richard Attenborough, Jack Hawkins)
In this compelling war film, Richard Attenborough stars as Regimental Sergeant Major Lauderdale, stationed in a British colony in Africa. After the colony claims independence from British rule, Lauderdale is assigned to maintain peace while government leaders exchange power. But problems arise when African officer Lt. Boniface (Errol John) attempts an overthrow against the new British-approved rulers. Suddenly, proud by-the-book Lauderdale is left wondering whether he should rethink his own politics and values.
Guns at Batasi was just the second film appearance for Mia Farrow. Just before the film’s release, she was playing Allison Mackenzie on the popular TV show Peyton Place. Four years after the film, the hit Rosemary’s Baby was released.
production details
USA | Twentieth Century Fox | 103 minutes | 1964
Director: John Guillermin
Producer: George H. Brown
Original Story: Robert Holles
Director of Photography: Douglas Slocombe
Editor: Max Benedict
Music: John Addison
Script: Leo Marks, C. M. Pennington-Richards, Marshall Pugh
Art Direction: Maurice Carter
cast
Richard Attenborough as Regimental Sgt. Major Lauderdale
Cecil Parker as Fletcher
Percy Herbert as Parkin
Jack Hawkins as CO Deal
John Meillon as Aussie
Flora Robson as Miss Barker-Wise
Mia Farrow as Karen Eriksson
John Leyton as Private Wilkes
David Lodge as Muscles
Graham Stark as Dodger
Bernard Horsfall as Schoolie
Earl Cameron as Captain Abraham
Errol John as Boniface