Ghorkas in the movies?

The only movie I can think of that even has a ghorka character is "The Man Who Would Be King" based on the Rudyard Kipling story. It starred Michael Caine and Sean Connery as soldiers of fortune in the late 19th century. They run into a ghorka soldier who was seperated from his unit, and he becomes a translator for them.
It would be interesting to find a documentary video, or even a film with other ghorka characters.
 
About 6 months ago the History Channel did one of their week long specials for one of their regular shows (It was after a Weapons of War show, but I forget the title offhand as I'm writing this). Anyway, every day of the week they had an hour long look at one of the world's "Elite Forces". It progressed from the US Green Berets to the Russian Spetznatz, US Navy SEALS, French Foreign Legion, and on Friday was what I call the high point of the series with the "Gurkhas" episode. In only an hour they told of the basic history and skill of the Gurkha soldiers from their first encounter with the British to their most recent service which at that time was during the Bosnia situation in Europe. They did a good 10 minutes on just their kukhris and made good mention that in many minds the world over there is nothing faster than a Gurkha charging downhill. At the end during the narrator's final comments he made specific mention of how retired servicemen returned home to their farms and sent their sons off to fight for a monarch, a country, and a nation of people who they would more than likely never see in their entire service and did so with enthusiasm, honor, and fidelity. Also stressed was the fact how the British government wasn't taking care of their ex-Gurkhas as well as they were taking care of their ex-"Tommy's" (couldn't think of a better word than that sorry). And how many in Nepal and around the world were expressing their disagreement with such treatment as that. The pensions, pay, and something about loss of benefits such as medical and such.
Anyway, that's my input on this thread. Also I think I missed the original thread that Uncle Bill mentioned so, if anyone knows where I could find it; if it's still out there in 'Net Limbo, I'd appreciate letting me know. Thanks


 
Uncle Bill,
This is a perennial favorite, with threads here, here, and here. Actually, lots of these posts are about khukuri sightings in movies rather than Gorkhas, but that's close enough for me
smile.gif
.
Berk
 
Don`t forget the lovely Rachel Ward`s film debut in "Night School" ,in this slasher movie the villain uses a kukri .(I feel it`s only fair to warn you that this film contains gratuitous nudity).
 
If it hasn't been said, there are Gurkhas in the first 16 minutes of "Seven Years in Tibet", arresting and recapturing Brad Pitt. Kukri sited too, worn on the right thigh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top