Die Dame des Königs

It is sad, sad that there is, so far as I know, no way of seeing this great, great actor of enormous distinction and individuality making his debut in films about half a century ago in THAT LADY.

Regardless of its original reception at the box office I am convinced that we would be overwhelmed by the charisma and monumental personality of Mr. Schofield's portrayal of one of the most remarkable European kings that ever reigned.

His characterization of King Lear in Peter Brooke's film of Shakespeare's tragedy is fundamentally magnificent and hardly likely ever to be surpassed. How lovely it would be compare and contrast the two royal portraits and what a treat for generations of great acting fans yet to come.

A lot of talent worked on this movie. Terence Young directed, Robert Krasker photographed, and John Addison supplied most of the music. Costumes are lavish and sets make good use of actual locations in Spain. The cast shines with names such as Olivia de Havilland, Paul Scofield, Gilbert Roland, and Christopher Lee. It has the look of an "A" production, in CinemaScope at that.

Alas, neither the story nor the characters have much interest with the result that the movie doesn't work either as a romance or a historical epic. Just as MGM was finding out with Lana Turner's "Diana," these heavy costume dramas had gone out of style by the mid-1950s and audiences stayed away from them in droves. Certainly the marketing department must have had a problem selling a movie with such a bland and pointless title as "That Lady."

Philip II of Spain was one of the most interesting and powerful figures in 16th century Europe. So why is a film featuring him so incredibly dull?! The only reason I stuck with the film are the good actors...the script is bereft of life and certainly doesn't encourage you to keep watching.

The widow Ana de Mendoza (Olivia de Havilland) and Antonio Perez (Gilbert Roland) have fallen in love. Perez is a minister within Philip's government and Ana is a woman the King (Paul Scofield) seems to want...though considering his many political intrigues not mentioned in the movie, it seemed like the King wanted her but more didn't want anyone else to have her. As a result, he trumps up charges against Ana and Don Antonio...and the King just seems mean and petty throughout the film. And, for so much of the film, the three of them talk and talk and talk...with very little action.

The actors starring in the film are all very good actors and the film looks good. But it also is slow and dry and Philip's actions seem irrational much of the time...and the real life Philip was not this dumb! Overall, a film that I recommend mostly if you have insomnia and really need a good nap.

By the way, the characters in this film were real people who lived in Spain during the 16th century and the film reasonably follows their lives. But with no energy nor action, the story just becomes duller than dust.

...in this British-Spanish historical drama from 20th Century Fox and director Terence Young. In late 16th century Spain, King Philip II (Paul Scofield) enlists the aid of old friend and confidante Ana de Mendoza (Olivia de Havilland), the Princess of Eboli, to help Philip train a worthy successor to be his chief minister. Philip has his eye on commoner Antonio Perez (Gilbert Roland), so the king asks Ana to teach Antonio in the ways of the court. This leads to an affair between Antonio and the long-widowed Ana, a scandal in strict Catholic Spain. Scheming courtier Don Mateo (Dennis Price) sees to it that the scandal becomes a national outrage, forcing Philip to take harsh action.

I can see why de Havilland wanted this role, as it's showy and she gets to wear a lot of extravagant costumes, including an eye patch! Paul Scofield made his film debut here, and won a BAFTA as Best Newcomer. I'm curious how I would view his performance in that time, not knowing him from his subsequent roles, as he uses an affected voice, and makeup and hair design that make him appear older than his actual 33 years. I think he does a good job, but those character choices are glaring in the early scenes. Dennis Price is underused, and Christopher Lee, as the Captain of the Guard and ally of Price's baddie, just gets to look imposing. The Spanish location shooting is a plus. The story lurches from courtly intrigue to uninspired romance, with the latter winning out in the end.

As a very big fan of Mrs De Havilland ,I was very anxious to watch it! What a big disappointment!This costume melodrama is certainly one of her worst parts if not simply the worst!she's so subtle an actress one wonders why she did not turn it down and let it to lesser talents ;there are plenty of starlets who could have been content with it!perhaps because an one-eyed character is not very attractive!

As for the story itself ,it's a Spanish princess in love with the king's minister -and loved by the king too-;the minister is involved in a murder but that lady cannot even serve as an alibi .The king has his own problems with his brother who covets his throne .The script is inept,the cinematography is poor ,and the actors ,left to their own devices ,do what they can but it's not enough to save the movie;French viewers will notice the presence of Françoise Rosay as Bernadine aka Bernie ,one of our greatest actresses;like De Havilland and Scofield,why did she get involved in that business with that lady?