Der Brigant

I was at first afraid that this costume adventure flick was produced by the Columbia Pictures home producer, the infamous Sam Katzman who was so greedy that it often made films worst than they could have been with bigger budgets. But this Phil Karlson's film is maybe also very cheap, however the Sam Katzman's touch, trademark, is not here. I was very surprised, because this kind of story, period is totally in the Katzman's fashion. Many movie buffs forget this film when they present or talk about Phil Karlson. But Karlson was more a film noir specialist than anything else, I admit. This movie remains a good gem to watch anyway.

The Brigand is an entertaining and engaging costume romp that is well filmed, and features an appealing and understated performance by that much underrated actor, Anthony Dexter, in the duo-lead roles. Able backing is provided by Anthony Quinn as the treacherous and slimy villain of the piece. So many movies of this type are throw-away and forgettable, but this one has sufficient pace, as well as a good storyline, to retain the viewers interest throughout. It's such a fine movie that it's difficult to understand why it's never been released commercially, and remains to this day very much of a rarity. It's also interesting to note that it was the follow-up feature to Valentino, for Anthony Dexter, and it's perfectly clear that only bad luck prevented him from going on to be a top Hollywood star. Far lesser actors managed to forge long, star-studded careers for themselves, so it will always remain something of a mystery as to why Mr Dexter never reached the heights. If the chance to view this movie ever comes your way, it's well worth seeing.

The previous successful "Valentino", Columbia runs to offer to Anthony Dexter something alike of its roots Portuguese heritage an Iberian adventure about his natural born skills in dancing scenes as did in Valentino, a swashbuckler story on 18th century supposedly in north of Spain bordering France where Napoleon was a devil ruler eager for new territories, it's freely based in Alexander Dumas's twin's brother "The Iron Mask" moved to phony country Mandorra and umbilical alliance with north Africa Marocco.

Then Dexter plays a dual role due his unbelievable resemblance with the King of Mandorra whom spending his time courting girls and learning dancing with her lover, meanwhile Capt. Carlos Delargo is accused of murder in Marocco of the Mandorra's ambassador concerning an previous affair with diplomat's wife with the womanizer Delargo, actually Carlos Delargo has a royal decent, his family were overthrown of the Mandorra's throne in recently time, advised by Prime Minister Triano (Carl Benton Reid) over it the King decides release Delargo in dark hour toward Portugal as escapee.

At Mandorra's court his cousin Prince Ramon (Anthony Quinn) aims to the throne due he is the next in line, thus he settles a plan to kill the King and replace him in order to make another deal with Napoleon, instead the King is wiiling make an alliance with border Kingdom to faces Napoleon in equal terms in a upcoming invasion, the scheme got its effect, however the King survives, not enough to marry in next days, then came up the phony King at Delargo body to impersonate for a couple weeks or so, to hinder the greedy Ramon onslaught at the throne for good.

Sadly the picture aside Dexter-Quinn is a B-picture, largely full of holes on lame screenplay, how someone else could explain no enough security guards at Delargo's chamber when he was easily kidnaped from there by his cousin, also in external shooting a clean landscape on those roads looks like a garden at backyard mansion, implausible storyline just saved by the hero and the villain by the way, frankly I found it impossible to be release on DVD due so low feature, if it come out I'm ready to buy a copy quite sure.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 1985 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 6.5.

Based on a Dumas novel,a writer who was always fascinated by twins: the last part of "les trois mousquetaires" ,"le vicomte de Bragelonne " -which was often filmed as "the iron mask " - ,but also "les frères corses ".The French title of Karlson's movie is "le proscrit" but the eponymous novel is the story of "Robin Hood prince of thieves"which reportedly inspired Kevin Reynolds ' version.I found no trace of the book which spawned "the brigand".

Probably made to capitalize on the success of the second version of "the prisoner of Zenda "(1952) ;the screenplays are very similar ,but except for the delightful vilain played by the mighty Quinn , the actors do not have the appeal of Stewart Granger,Deborah Kerr and James Mason .

That said ,the colors are glimmering , the story is eventful ,with a curious prologue in Morocco,and the denouement is smart ,and all in all,it's pretty entertaining;the historical hints at the Napoleon era remain vague though.

In my opinion, watching one Anthony Dexter would be a delightful experience, but, in this movie, he played a dual role, so it was a real treat, and, I must say, he acquitted himself quite well! His performance was quite good, and he also did some dancing, a la his role in "Valentino". Two beautiful actresses supported him quite well, Gale Robbins and Jody Lawrence. Anthony Quinn in the cast has to be considered a definite asset, and you know Anthony Quinn will give a good performance! Ditto for Carl Benton Reid and Ron Randell! I found this movie quite interesting, as far as B-movies go, and much of it was due to the dual role played so well by Anthony Dexter!