The Lost Patrol (1934 movie) facts for kids

The Lost Patrol is an exciting American movie from 1934. It's a war film set during World War I and was directed by the famous filmmaker John Ford. The story is based on a book called Patrol by Philip MacDonald, which was written in 1927. This movie was actually the second time that book was made into a film! It features actors like Victor McLaglen and Boris Karloff and was released by RKO Pictures. The Lost Patrol was even nominated for a big award called an Academy Award in 1935.

About the Movie

The Lost Patrol takes you back to the desert during World War I. It follows a small group of British soldiers who get separated from their main army. They are on a mission in the hot, sandy desert of Mesopotamia (which is now part of Iraq). The movie shows their struggle to survive and find their way back.

What's the Story About?

The film focuses on a patrol of eleven British soldiers. After their commanding officer is killed, a sergeant takes charge. They are lost and alone in the vast desert. They find a small oasis with palm trees and water, which seems like a safe place. However, they soon realize they are being watched by an unseen enemy.

One by one, the soldiers start to disappear or are attacked. This makes the remaining soldiers very nervous and scared. They don't know who is attacking them or where the enemy is hiding. The movie shows how they deal with fear, hope, and the challenges of being trapped.

Who Was in the Movie?

The movie stars several well-known actors from that time. Victor McLaglen plays the brave sergeant who tries to keep his men safe. Boris Karloff plays a character known as "Sanders," who has a very intense and religious personality.

Other actors in the film include Wallace Ford, Reginald Denny, Alan Hale Sr., Billy Bevan, and Brandon Hurst. Each actor helps to show the different personalities and struggles of the soldiers.

Making the Movie

The Lost Patrol was directed by John Ford, who became one of the most famous directors in Hollywood history. He was known for making many great movies, especially Westerns and war films. For this movie, the desert scenes were filmed in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The hot, dry landscape there looked a lot like the deserts of Mesopotamia.

The movie was made by RKO Pictures, a major film studio back then. It was a popular film when it came out and was recognized for its strong story and acting.

Awards and Recognition

In 1935, The Lost Patrol was nominated for an Academy Award. This award was for "Best Original Score," which means the music created specifically for the movie. Even though it didn't win, being nominated for an Academy Award is a big honor in the film world. It shows that the movie was considered very good and important at the time.