The Revivals

The Charge of the Light Brigade has not left pop culture since Tennyson's poem.

The Charge of the Light Brigade movie poster, 1936, Collection of IMBD

The Charge of the Light Brigade movie poster, 1968, Collection of IMBD

The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1936

The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1968

The Charge of the Light Brigade became iconic, bringing fame to a pointless suicidal charge. Tennyson wrote another poem related to the Battle of Balaclava: “The Charge of the Heavy Brigade,” celebrating the well-executed uphill charge of the Heavy Brigade. Yet, the piece is unremembered today, and society has chosen to reward confusion and blind obedience over competence.

The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1938 clips set to "The Trooper" by the Iron Maiden

"The Charge of the Light Brigade" by the 3 D's from the New Dimensions In Folk Songs album

Military recruitment posters continue to emphasize the glory of rushing headlong into battle.

British World War I Recruitment Poster, 1914, Collection of National Army Museum

Canada’s World War II Recruitment Poster, 1942, Collection of Hennepin County Library

Current United State’s Army Recruitment Poster, 2019, Collection of The Army Times

Lord Lucan defended his actions in his speech to the House of Lords by arguing that questioning orders during battle sets a dangerous precedent. His logic is valid; if every order is questioned, people never would have entered No Man's Land during World War I. That said, over glorifying obedience at the cost of morality and common sense are steps on a pathway that led to the Nuremberg defense claims of World War II and the My Lai Massacre of Vietnam. As the Charge of the Light Brigade shows, commands can be misread and commanders can be wrong. If no one ever asks for clarification, miscommunication can have tragic consequences.

There must be a balance between deference and dissent.