On G List of Movie Reviews
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Guns at Batasi (1964)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
1/25
1/25:
Guns at Batasi is confusing, but at the end, I've decided that the film is okay.
It's impossible not to think of the following questions. Which country is this? What are the laws in regard
to the transfer of power from one to another? What's the big hurry? Why can everybody wait until it's
official? Why do the British need to defend themselves if change will be inevitable? Most of all,
what do I care if an imperialist country is being kicked out?
Only Richard Attenborough stands out by giving an exceptional performance. The filmmakers' mistake is reducing
his impact during the second half given that he was on a serious roll earlier with expansive vocabulary base.
After what happened, I think his character acted properly because the blacks were threatening to take lives. If I
were him, I wouldn't worry about being backstabbed by the army.
Meanwhile, Mia Farrow, in her screen debut, is only there to supply sex and is thus a waste of time, but she looks
better and more plump. Primarily a singer, John Leyton is no actor. Jack Hawkins is Jack Hawkins while the rest
of the cast is bland.
All in all, Guns at Batasi is somewhat of a staged play that's largely made better by
Richard Attenborough's performance.