Liebe, Tod und Teufel

A peripheral pleasure was the sight of those great English character actors, the backbone of so many heroic films. Alec Clunes for example, whose son, Martin, is such a favourite today. Wilfred Hyde White, usually an elegant toff, was here a barber with a delightful wig shaving Robert Morley. He of course was in danger of stealing the show, a villain with a winning smile and wonderful accent. I relished the sight of a Kay Kendall in what appeared to be a white nightdress; but even more more striking was the speed with which she added a robe, whilst running round the castle with Taylor. We so easily take the music for granted; here it was expertly matched to the action, wonderfully orchestrated and brilliantly played and conducted - but by whom? The composer Bronislaw Kaper? Was it recorded in London or Hollywood? The professional skill that these musicians displayed deserves far more attention. Too often today the score is synthesised, or inanely repetitious regardless of the scene and the action.

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 in 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, so 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.

Mid-point in his career Robert Taylor was given Quo Vadis and was such a success in it that MGM then gave him Ivanhoe and Knights of the Round Table and finally Quentin Durward. Taylor did not like these films, he referred to them as his "iron jockstrap roles." He much preferred westerns and modern pictures. But he went with the flow so they say.

The stream flowed well for him in Quentin Durward. What Walter Scott was trying to do in the novel and succeeds on the screen is juxtapose the lives of noble knight Quentin Durward and the scheming spider king Louis XI of France played superbly by Robert Morley. Louis XI is modern man, stripped of all pretenses, surviving on his wits. Durward is a figure from antiquity even in the 15th century.

Louis XI is one of the most fascinating monarchs in history and we've seen him as a supporting character both in If I Were King and in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He was a guy who if one scheme didn't work, he had a backup plan, in fact about 5 or 6 backups. Most of us are lucky if we have 2 in any situation. But he had to rule that way. When he took the throne of France in 1461 they had ended the Hundred Years War and France was a devastated country. He couldn't afford to be starting any wars or he wouldn't have a country left. He had to rule by wile and stratagem and he succeeded. Too bad Robert Morley didn't make a film just about Louis XI. Great story, hope someone does it some day.

One of the most exciting action sequences in film history is done here with Quentin Durward battling the villainous Walter DeLa Marck in a burning bell tower while they are both swinging on ropes holding bell clappers. You should see the film for that alone.

During the early 1950's Hollywood had a magnificent obsession with what they called historical films. ' Ivanhoe ' arguably started them, and they were set in a mythical ' Middle Ages ' which must have helped many children of that era with their history lessons. ' Quentin Durward ' appeared reasonably late in this cycle, and Robert Taylor who had appeared in a few of them was paired with Kay Kendall, and as far as I could see there was little chemistry between them. In my opinion Kay Kendall with her great sense of humour steals the film, and with her wonderful voice shows how absurd this whole genre is. The story begins in Scotland with Taylor being sent to a troubled France to get a bride for his very old uncle, and to keep the story going he lands himself in a mess of politics that must have baffled many who saw the film. No spoilers except to say that there is a unique fighting scene where two men have a sword fight hanging from bell ropes in a burning castle. It is well worth waiting for because it is a fantastically good bit of film making. I love these films because of their delusional freedom to play fast and loose with historical fantasies. ' Quentin Durward' is not in my opinion the best, but it is highly enjoyable and Kay Kendall is worth seeing in any film.

The Adventures of Quentin Durward is directed by Richard Thorpe and adapted to screenplay by Robert Ardrey and George Froeschel from the Walter Scott novel. It stars Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall, Robert Morley, George Cole and Alec Clunes.Music is by Bronislau Kaper and Eastman cinematography by Christopher Challis.

"Our story begins in Scotland in 1465~~when knighthood was a drooping blossom~~but the Scot, as usual, was poor in naught but cash."

So it begins, the tale of Quentin Durward (Taylor), who travels to France to find out if the Countess of Marcroy (Kendall) will make for a suitable bride for his aging uncle. Once there, though, Durward gets wrapped up in the political shenanigans of King Louis XI (Morley) and the Duke of Burgundy (Clunes). More pressing, mind, is that the Countess and Durward are attracted to each other.

The third part of an unofficial swashbuckling trilogy made by Richard Thorpe and Robert Taylor, Quentin Durward comes out after Ivanhoe (1952) & Knights of the Round Table (1953). Out of MGM's British studio at Elstree, film is delightful in period flavours and potent as a costume romance, but sadly lacking in vigorous wonders. The weakest of the three Thorpe/Taylor swashers, picture often has tongue planted firmly in cheek as it unfolds its story amongst some marvellous French and English locales. Cast are good value, especially the likes of Morley & Clunes, but Taylor at 44 is a bit long in the tooth to be entirely convincing in the derring-do department.

Good honest fun in the main, if a little too plodding in patches, but a climatic bell tower duel played out on swinging ropes is alone worth viewing the film for. 6/10