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Millington attempts to seduce her in the garden but is rejected.
Later she is discovered in a bloodstained condition, claims
she has been assaulted and Millington is accused of rape.
Instead of a public trial a regimental subalterns court-martial
is convened that includes Drake as the reluctant defence counsel.
As well as the leads in the 1975 film, "Conduct Unbecoming"
has a first class cast including Trevor Howard, Christopher
Plummer, Richard Attenborough and James Donald.
American actor Stacey Keach is an odd choice as a pukka army
officer, possibly to encourage Trans-Atlantic money, nevertheless
his performance is up to the standard of the other players.
Adapted from the stage play by Barry England it still retains
a theatrical flavour; a screen treatment by Bryan Forbes (The
Angry Silence), now in the reject bin, would have more spice.
However, it captures the atmosphere of the British Raj - ceremony,
sexual intrigue and the constant threat of violent rebellion.
Director Michael Anderson (Around the World in Eighty Days,
The Dambusters) develops the story, the characters and keeps
the tension at a high level.
Although Conduct Unbecoming portrays a different army India
to the classic Gunga Din it is well worth viewing.
Conclusion: Movie 85%
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