Tunes of Glory (1 Viewer)

[cantinetozzo]

A few days ago i watched this movie for the first time and...wow!!!What a movie!!Wonderful performances by Alec Guinness and John Mills, and all the other actors ..wonderful lines too..it's the story of a Colonel (a Major acting colonel)played by Guinness in a highland battallion just after the war ,he runs the unit like a "father" because he was a pipe major,but comes the moment that a new colonel (Mills) takes his place and there's a great clash of personalities between the two..in bit parts i'd like to spend a word for the officers and NCO (as the great Duncan Macrae, an actor often casted in military roles , here the pipe major).What can i say more..?This movie is a wonderful depiction of military life, and can only add to your love for the hobby of toysoldier collecting (mainly scottish soldiers btw)!

 

[4th Hussar]

A classic but a bit dark and depressing

 

[cantinetozzo]

Yes you're right , the final is not so funny, but when the movie ends you have the sensation to have witnessed one of those rare movies in which everything is in his place!And i forgot..Susanna York!

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hello!
This one of my all time favourite movies. I introduced Ken to it shortly after we were married. If you haven't seen this movie, Netflicks it tomorrow! It is so very worth it. Then, to lighten the mood, find a copy of a book called "The General Danced at Dawn" by George MacDonald Fraser (of Flashman fame). Between the two you should have a very well balanced Highland Regiment experience!
All the Best,
Ericka

 

[cantinetozzo]

Thanks Ericka!!!I really love Fraser's way of writing..i've read "The Steel Bonnets " (story of the border reivers , not a simple matter to tackle with all the feuds and little stories but made it a wonderful and amazing read) and the first Flashman and i enjoyed it really(i think i read it in one or 2 days), so i'll take with pleasure your suggestion about the book!Thanks!!!!!

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks Ericka!!!I really love Fraser's way of writing..i've read "The Steel Bonnets " (story of the border reivers , not a simple matter to tackle with all the feuds and little stories but made it a wonderful and amazing read) and the first Flashman and i enjoyed it really(i think i read it in one or 2 days), so i'll take with pleasure your suggestion about the book!Thanks!!!!!

You should also read the two sequels GMF wrote about Lt. Dand MacNeil (himself) and Private MacAuslan: "MacAuslan in the Rough" and "The Shiekh and the Dustbin". These are my three favorite books of all time, and I must have read each about 10 times. They are loosely autobiographical, as is revealed in the afterwards of the last book, when you find out that the wise old Colonel he both loves and treads lightly around is Lt.Col. R.E. "Reggie" Leeds, under whom he served in the Second Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders (92nd Foot) from the close of WWII to 1946. You would also like "Quartered Safe Out Here", his non-fiction account of his service as a Scout Sniper in the Black Cat Division of the 14th Army under the great General Bill Slim during the Burma Campaign during 1944-45.

 

[4th Hussar]

You should also read the two sequels GMF wrote about Lt. Dand MacNeil (himself) and Private MacAuslan: "MacAuslan in the Rough" and "The Shiekh and the Dustbin". These are my three favorite books of all time, and I must have read each about 10 times. They are loosely autobiographical, as is revealed in the afterwards of the last book, when you find out that the wise old Colonel he both loves and treads lightly around is Lt.Col. R.E. "Reggie" Leeds, under whom he served in the Second Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders (92nd Foot) from the close of WWII to 1946. You would also like "Quartered Safe Out Here", his non-fiction account of his service as a Scout Sniper in the Black Cat Division of the 14th Army under the great General Bill Slim during the Burma Campaign during 1944-45.

All 3 MacAuslan are availible in The Complete MacAuslan for about $13 at Amazon

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Have to agree… “Tunes of Glory” is a great flick… I saw it almost 50 years ago when it was released (I was a very wee boy then) back in Scotland… and loved it.

Having had relatives (Uncles, Grandfathers and cousins) who served in Scottish Regiments I’m sure it paints a pretty realistic and accurate portrait of one such regiment just after WW2. Out here in Hong Kong when I was Regimental Adjutant of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment I served alongside two different Scottish Regiments… The Black Watch and the Queen’s Own Highlanders… many of their officers and men reminded me of similar ones in “Tunes Of Glory”.

Now, here’s a couple of trivia details for you…

1. The movie’s British director, Ronald Neame is about 95, still living… and resides in… Los Angeles.

2. The original book was written by a former Army officer called James Kennaway (he served, surprise, surprise in a Scottish Regiment). Kennaway died relatively young however his last big job was as a co-screen writer of “The Battle of Britain” movie in 1967/68.

And that’s all for now, folks!
Andy C.

 

[cantinetozzo]

Thanks Andy and all the others for the suggestions!!!I'm really a scottish miltary fan ...so everything regarding that particular theme is welcome..as the new soldiers from Andy!!!In my book wishlist (after finishing the Hastings battle book i'm now reading) are a few of Fraser's and the Kennaway book (when i love a movie i'd like to read the book from which is drawn).Thanks again!!!