Quentin Durward (1955)

Strong and Moving!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

1955 classic movie directed by Richard Thorpe with a good cast and mighty spectacle about Medieval knights and the famed romance in color magnificence . Spectacular and above average adaptation derived from Sir Walter Scott classic novel . This MGM Cinemascope production from the company and producers ( Pandro S Berman ) that gave you Quo Vadis, Ivanhoe among others and only this Production Company could bring it so magnificently to the screen . The classic story of romantic adventure come to life enriched by Technicolor and with such great stars as Robert Taylor , Robert Morley, Duncan Lamont and Kay Kendall . Nice family fare with romance and great action scenes . Film which proved to be notable success in this lively rendition about chivalry and knighthood in century XV , France . Knights battle each other and woo maidens on this chivalrous epic romance . This splendid version , in superb Technicolor , of Sir Walter Scott's classic epic tale starts in 15th century , 1465 , when a man of honour , Knight Quentin Duward , a suitable noble wielding a sword and courage is assigned by his uncle to travel to France to meet Isabelle (Kay Kendall) and for political reasons to marry her . But Charles (Clunes)the Duke of Burgund has other plans and she is utilized as pawn in a deadly game . Meanwhile the young countess renounces the marriage proposition and flees, when is suddenly attached by the De La Marck's devious underlings , being saved by Duward . In order to regain his freedom , he protects her but Durward finds they're being double-crossed by the King Louis XI who has a likable confidant , a barber named Oliver (Wilfrid Hyde White). But Quentin will stop at nothing to assume his mission. Quentin join forces with Hayraddin (George Cole) against William De La Marck (Duncan Lamont)-the Beast of Ardenas- and his hoodlums who attack the stronghold. Sir Walter Scott's story of romance and chivalry in Medieval France is faithfully brought to life in this awesome film in which Robert Taylor stars as Quentin Durward who fights the evil William De La Marck and his hoodlums in an attempt to restore Louis XI to the throne facing Charles the Reckless . This enjoyable film displays romance, chivalry, knighthood , daring adventures and lots of action with spectacular castle attack and overwhelming final that includes a breathtaking confrontation in a bell tower at its climax . The fighting , brawls , duels and other action sequences with a plethora of sword-fights involving maces, axes and lances are magnificently handled . The authentic fight images are among the most spectacular ever shot , as the ending duel between the dastardly William De La Marck excellently played by Duncan Lamont and Quentin is impressive . This one proved notable hit as well as the former adventure movies starred by Robert Taylor . This is an overwhelming tale with adventures, villainy,romance and heroism in the grandeur of Cinemascope although in television set lost splendor. Luscious costumes and gowns specially suited for Kay Kendall . The film packs a glamorous and luminous cinematography by Christopher Challis and evocative musical score by Bronislou Kaper . This is the third on a magnificent trilogy of movies realized by M.G.M. in Great Britain with Robert Taylor , produced by Pandro S Berman and directed by Richard Thorpe , the other were : ¨Ivanhoe and Kights of the Round Table¨. The picture is excellently handled by Thorpe , an expert on adventure movie as proved in ¨All the brothers were valiant , Prisoner of Zenda , The prodigal and many others ¨. The picture will appeal to aficionados with chivalric ideals and historic movies fans.

This is one of my favorite films. It's not a great film, by any means, but to me it is eminently enjoyable. It has a fine cast, a literate script by Robert Ardrey, wonderful cinematography by Christopher Challis, and a lovely, melodic score by Bronislau Kaper. What's not to like? An earlier writer remarked that the film does not take itself too seriously, and to me that's one of its best qualities. The film combines drama, comedy, romance and action in approximately equal parts to good effect. It's even a little bit ahead of its time, in some ways. The theme of the good man who is a relic from an earlier time became a staple in the '60s and '70s, particularly for filmmakers such as Sam Peckinpah. It received an early sounding in "Quentin Durward." Robert Morley steals the show by the way. He delivers a charming whitewash of the paranoid and manipulative Louis XI. It was also my introduction to Kay Kendall. This is not one of her top roles, but new viewers will get a taste of her talents and may seek out films that showed off her multifaceted skills as an actress, comedienne, singer and dancer. She was a short-lived wonder. This is a sumptuous production with top stars and a great story. Why isn't it on DVD?

Around the time that Kay Kendall was awarded her role in this MGM costumer, Grace Kelly, who had first been considered for the role, said, in an interview in which she admitted declining the role, "All I would have had to do was clutch my jewel box and flee!" Along with her ceding the title role to Tippie Hedren in Hitchcock's "Marnie" (filmed after her ascension to the Grimaldi throne), Grace seemed to have had her sights set upon the real royalty of Monaco, rather than continuing her reign as one of cinema's loveliest princesses!

The fifth team-up of Robert Taylor and Richard Thorpe is a pretty good movie... I only have one complaint. Robert Taylor is supposed to be playing a Scot in France but he has a very American accent and even uses modern American slang. Couldn't he have at least spoken articulate, non-modern English, and maybe attempt a Scottish accent? Also odd is all of the English accents, surrounded with one or two people who use French or American accents. I don't care what accent they use, but they should have all settled on just one. Also, every time they say the name "Durward" it sounds like "Durwood" and I think of Agatha from Bewitched. Otherwise, the movie is slow-moving but saved by a good basic story and nice sets. 7 out of 10.