Starring Harvey Adams, Betty Bryant, Chips Rafferty, Eric Reiman, Grant Taylor
Directed by Charles Chauvel
Print: black/white
Runtime: 100 min.
Genre: drama
Print quality: B
At the time of its release, 40,000 Horseman was acclaimed as one of the best (if not the best) production to emanate from Australia. Set during WWI, the film is a tribute to the Australian Light Horse regiment, who distinguished themselves while encamped in Palestine on behalf of the British Empire. The story has been "Hollywoodized" somewhat, with the addition of a love story involving Aussie trooper Jim (the popular Chips Rafferty) and French mademoiselle Juliet Rouget (Betty Bryant). All such trivialities are forgotten during the spectacular cavalry-charge sequence which closes the film. The screenplay for 40,000 Horseman was written by the wife of director Charles Chauvel, here billed simply (and somewhat chauvinistically) as "Mrs. Chauvel."