THE GREAT VILLAIN BLOGATHON: Brian Donlevy as Sergeant Markoff, Beau Geste (1939)

Karen of Shadows and Satin, Kristina of  Speakeasy and Ruth of  Silver Screenings are hosting The Great Villain Blogathon for 2019. Look for all the baddies on May 24th to the 26th. Day 1 Recap  Day 2 Recap  Day 3 Recap  Wrap-up

P.C. Wren's 1924 adventure novel Beau Geste is a touchstone in the genre, giving us the most honourable and likable of heroes in the Geste brothers, and a villain to scorn through the ages in Sergeant Major Lajaune. Popular sequels followed this novel, but it is the 1924 book which is the basis for the many screen versions of the story, along with its many comic parodies. Familiarity breeds humour while also cementing fond regard for a timeless classic.

My first encounter with Beau Geste was through the Classics Illustrated comic book. My first movie version was the 1939 release produced and directed by William A. Wellman. Therefore, my first film antagonist in the story is the renamed Sergeant Markoff played by Brian Donlevy who remains the definitive actor in that role in my eyes.

Donald O'Connor, Martin Spellman, David Holt, Ann Gillis, Billy Cook

Beau, Digby, Gussie, Isobel, John

Lady Patricia Brandon played by Heather Thatcher maintains Brandon Abbas for her relative, the profligate Sir Hugo. Under her care is Sir Hugo's heir Augustus, her ward Isobel Rivers, and three orphaned brothers, the Gestes. The boys are Michael known as "Beau", Digby, and John. The boys' heads and hearts are filled with games of heroism and loyalty of legend. Stories of King Arthur and of Viking funerals fill their childhood days. They are imaginative and loving youngsters with a strong bond that will carry them through these years to adulthood.

Ray Milland, Robert Preston, Gary Cooper

John, Digby, and Beau

The treasure of the Abbas is the Blue Water Sapphire upon whose worth the estate and raising of the children rely. When the sapphire is stolen, the suspects comprise a very narrow field and without a word of confession among them, the Gestes find their way to that place of forgotten men and men who want to forget, the French Foreign Legion.

The Geste brothers are under the command of Lieutenant Martin played by Harvey Stephens. He is a man in the brother's mold, who believes in service with honour. Unfortunately, the immediate supervisor of the recruits in Sergeant Markoff, described by his Russian countryman the weasely Rasinoff played by J. Carroll Naish as a "mad man."

Rasinoff: "He was expelled from the Siberian penal colonies for cruelty. Then he entered the Legion and rose from the ranks."

Brian Donlevy

Sergeant Markoff

Markoff: "I am Sergeant Markoff. I make soldiers out of scum like you and I don't do it gently. You're the sloppiest looking lot I've ever seen. It's up to me to prevent you from becoming a disgrace to the Regiment. And I will prevent that if I have to kill half of you with work. But the half that lives will be soldiers. I promise you."

Lt. Martin does not approve of Markoff. "You're a good soldier, Markoff, but I doubt if you're a good Sergeant. If you're not, you won't last long in the Legion. Watch your step or I'll break you. That's all."

Sadism is not Markoff's only characteristic; he is also greedy. Rasinoff tips the sergeant off to the stolen sapphire when he recounts his eavesdropping of a Geste brothers conversation. Sergeant Markoff has added to his plan of becoming an officer to becoming a wealthy officer. The Gestes are now under his special purview. When it falls to his duty to assign troops in an upcoming deployment, Digby is sent to Fort Tokotu while Beau and John are going to Fort Zinderneuf under the tender mercy of Markoff.

Fort Zinderneuf is the site of much of Markoff's malevolence, and the sad death of Lieutenant Martin. In his heart, Martin must know that Markoff would never heed the admonishment that "The men must be led, not driven."

Markoff: "Lt. Martin is dead. I am now in command. From this moment on, discipline at Fort Zinderneuf will be severe. I promise you!"

Brian Donlevy, Gary Cooper

Sgt. Markoff, Beau Geste

Mutiny now becomes something more than muttered ravings among the men. Desperation leads to a desperate attempt, but Markoff has spies among the men and his plans are not disorganized by fear. It is a critical time for Fort Zinderneuf as the Touraregs attack. Markoff is in his element implementing his counter-attack. He will surely be made an officer for his success. His success includes taunting and torturing the men who so recently tried to overtake his command. He also plans to use the confusion to obtain the almost mythical sapphire which he desires.

Reinforcements from Fort Tokotu, including Digby, arrive at a ghost fort. Fort Zinderneuf is manned by only the corpses of the men. To Major Beaujolais played by James Stephenson falls the obligation of explaining the unexplainable in his report.

Only John has survived and to him falls the obligation of reaching Egypt and then home with the truth behind his brother's grand gesture regarding the Blue Water.

Bugler Digby is the first to enter the fort. To Digby falls the obligation of giving his beloved brother Beau a fiery Viking funeral with a fitting dog at his feet - Sergeant Markoff.


Oscar night: Thursday, February 29, 1940

Brian Donlevy

1901-1972

Brian Donlevy was nominated for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Beau Geste.
The Academy Award was won by Thomas Mitchell in Stagecoach.

Hans Dreier and Robert Odell were nominated for Best Art Direction for Beau Geste.
The Academy Award was won by Lyle R. Wheeler for Gone With the Wind.


Bonus (Thanks to Rich):