The Virgin Soldiers (film)


The Virgin Soldiers is a 1969 British war comedy-drama film directed by John Dexter and starring Lynn Redgrave, Hywel Bennett, Nigel Davenport, Nigel Patrick and Rachel Kempson. It is set in 1950, during the Malayan Emergency, and is based on the novel of the same name by Leslie Thomas.
The film's popularity spawned a 1977 sequel, Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers.

Premise

Private Brigg is a National Serviceman sent to Singapore during the Malayan Emergency along with a squad of naive new recruits. There he falls for Phillipa Raskin, the daughter of the Regimental Sergeant Major.

Cast

A young and uncredited David Bowie appears briefly as a soldier escorted out from behind a bar.

Reception

The Virgin Soldiers was the 17th most popular film at the UK box office in 1969.