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The Battle is the English-language version of the French La Bataille; both versions starred Charles Boyer in one of his oddest screen roles. Adapted from a novel by Claude Farrere, the film casts Boyer as Marquis Yorisaka, a patriot Japanese nobleman in charge of a vast naval fleet. He strikes up a friendship with British navy officer Fergan (John Loder), in hopes of harvesting new information concerning maritime maneuvers. Yorisaka even goes so far as to push his own wife Marquise (Merle Oberon) into a romantic liaison with Fergan, even though this cruel deed will bring him disgrace as a Japanese gentleman. Even after emerging victorious from a naval battle, Yorisaka grimly realizes he's betrayed his own people through his disgraceful treatment of Marquise, leaving him with no other option but an honorable suicide.