1953 movie with pipes and drum

[Tarheel]

The title is "The King of the Kyber Rifles". It stars Tyrone Powers. My extra reading indicates that it is based on the Madras 6th Light Cavalry in the Kyber Pass using the locals as militia.
There are scenes early in the movie of a kilted pipe and drum marching, the brass band at the Queen's birthday celebration is kilted, though I didn't finish watching, there is supposed to be a pipe and drum review march at the end of the movie. I am unfamiliar with the unit and the tartan but I do recognize the rest of the uniforms now that I've had enough time with this group of educated folks. When you can I'd like more info on the tartan. Thanks

[Bruce Scott]

I have no idea about the tartan in the movie but there is a recent photo of some members of Khyber Rifles pipes and drums here:
http://www.britishskytours.com/site/...ews%20five.htm

And some unit history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khyber_Rifles

[Tarheel]

Thanks for the extra link to the Kyber Rifles. I was able to get two snip-its from the movie (though poor quality) that show the dark kilts shown in the film. They look to be Black Watch and unlike the tartans sashes of the pipers in the link you sent. I can't find any info on the band that performed for the movie but I would hope they did their own research on what the original unit wore during the actual event.
m 1.JPGm 2.JPG piper.JPG

[Steve Ashton]

Is this the movie that has "Scotland the Brave" playing during the final moments, by a solo piper, as a lone figure walks away from the camera into a mountain pass in the distance?

I remember such a movie from when I was very young. It was played on the old "Saturday Night and The Movies" show on TV. I did not know at the time what song it was nor had I ever heard pipes before. But that image and music are one of my earliest kilt and pipes memories.

[Tarheel]

The short answer to your question Steve, is maybe. I found the sound tracks from several films with "Scotland the Brave" as the closing tune. The best guess is, "The Day They Robbed The Bank of England". A 1960 movie with Peter O'Toole. I can't seem to find a free version to scan to be sure.

[Tarheel]

I am still hunting for the film you mentioned Steve. In the mean time, I enjoyed the scene from the movie, "Rockets Galore" 1957. 45 minutes into the film, a lone piper on top of a mountain crest is playing "Freedom Come All Ye" and is joined by the local folks singing along.

[MacGumerait]

Tarheel , I think you are probably correct about the tartan in the movie being Black Watch . From what I read about the movie , it's original adaptation was titled " The Black Watch " .

Here's a couple links that help explain and are kind of interesting .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_the_Khyber_Rifles

http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/an.../issue21a.html


Also , thanks for the tip on " Bagpipes go to the Movies " , that's a neat site .

http://fraser.cc/pipes/movies.html


Cheers , Mike

[OC Richard]

Here it is on YouTube. The pipes are at 1:34:23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xGJ85ovBA

Looks like Mt Whitney in the background. It was probably filmed up Highway 395, near Lone Pine, a very common location for Hollywood over the years. (Edit: yes this movie was filmed there.)

The pipers, at least some of them, look like they're actually playing (a non-piper can't convincingly fake it). They would be pipers living in the Los Angeles area. They're dressed as Gordon Highlanders.

Here you can read about Lone Pine (California), the hundreds of Hollywood movies filmed there, and the annual Film Festival devoted to them

http://www.lonepinefilmfestival.org/

Here's the first of 39 pages of movies filmed there; go to 'K' to see King of the Khyber Rifles

http://www.lonepinefilmfestival.org/...p/film-history

Here you can read about Mt Whitney, the highest point in the 'lower 48'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Whitney

[Calgacus]

There's always this film-

[Laird_M]

Ah, the good old Devils in Skirts. Tiffin anyone?