June Hollywood Break: Gunga Din (Hollywood 1938 Version)

 Originally published August 1, 2019.

In the poem Gunga Din, by Ruyard Kipling, the flawed character is the white, British soldier and the overall hero? An Indian water-bearer for the Imperial Army. The movie Gunga Din is a 1939 RKO adventure film loosely based on the poem of the same name by Kipling combined with elements of his short story collection Soldiers Three. The film is about three British sergeants and Gunga Din, their native bhisti (water bearer), who fight the Thuggee, an Indian murder cult, in colonial British India. The movie continues with the central theme of the poem, the sacrifices the Indians made on behalf of British Imperialism.

Sam Jaffee plays Gunga Din, the manliest man to ever wear a diaper in a film.

Though some of the movie's elements are products of its time, it is still a rollicking, entertaining film that has influenced other films and has become a "must watch" with the starring roles of Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Victor McLaglen and Sam Jaffe in the title role.

 “ This is only pleasure for poor bhisti”

Here are my stats for Gunga Din for In Her Majesty's Name:

Name: Gunga Din, Regimental bhisti

Pluck: 5+

Leadership: 0

Speed: 0

Fighting Value: +1 (Did you see him bayonet that Thuggee?)

Shooting Value: +0

Talents: Inspirational, Medic

Basic Equipment: Water bag (Medic), bugle (Inspirational - an exception since he is not a leader), knife, and any weapon he can pick up on the battle field.

Armor: 7

Cost: 21

For The Men Who Would be Kings attach Gunga Din to any British Imperial Infantry unit for 1 point and he and he is "Inspirational" which allows the unit to reroll every failed Rally roll once. When casualties are taken, you must roll to see if Gunga Din is one.

Gunga Din and The Sergeants Three.

Corporal Din.

Next: The Sergeants Three.