Lady Godiva of Coventry

If you like the comic spoof The Court Jester and want it to be even funnier the next time you watch it, rent The Vagabond King and Lady Godiva of Coventry. Both seem like they borrowed the sets and background actors from Danny Kaye's comedy. In Lady Godiva of Coventry, Maureen O'Hara gives the best performance in the film, and since she's a notorious over-actress, that's saying something. Her leading man is George Nader, and he's so contemporary, he kept reminding me of Christopher McDonald.

As you might be able to surmise from the title, this film focuses on Lady Godiva who famously rode a horse naked. Before you get excited, just remind yourself that this movie was made in 1955, so there's no nudity in the film, and the ride itself isn't a very long scene. Mostly, it's about her courtship and marriage to Lord Leofric, and their disagreements about political issues. The classic "woman behind the man" theory is on full display, so if you like Maureen O'Hara's strong-willed characters she usually plays, you'll probably like her in this movie. And she does look very pretty in Technicolor splendor. If you're just looking for a good movie, or at least one that won't have you running to the kitchen for more popcorn without pressing pause, stick with How Green Was My Valley.

The screenplay is often confused and muddled ,and one sometimes find it hard to tell the traitors from the good guys ,but it does not matter.

"I wanted a wife ,not a political advisor" the macho husband (George Nader)moans .But this wife is a feminist before the time and she 's as good at political intrigues as she is as the so called ill king's doctor:blood-letting weakens the monarch ,all he needs is good food and fresh air.In internal affairs ,she shows more flair than her hubby.

Maureen O'Hara 's flaming red hair is shown to good advantage in her naked ride ,and she displays plenty of go , not really supported by the rest of the cast .She had always been a female musketeer in a curious adaptation of Alexandre Dumas "at sword's point" ;feminist she said.

I have been interested in movies since my childhood and have never heard about this film, starring the fabulous Maureen O'Hara and also directed by Arthur Lubin. I have purchased thousands of movies from the USA, collectors stuff from TV taping offs, trading, taping off from UK and French channels, and also from other countries channels, all over the world ; in short, I have dedicated my life - among other things - seeking, searching, watching movies, especially the rarest one, under the condition the story interests me. For instance, I have never seen E. T, STAR WARS saga nor WEST SIDE STORY. I have all the dictionnaries of directors and their filmographies, and had never noticed this film. Never. Only when it was programmed on a French cable channel, I at last knew of its existence. So, that's done now, and I realize that if I had missed it, I would not have missed much. Nothing terrific in this feature, a rare movie is not necessarily a masterpiece. But it belongs to the Universal Studios costume adventure romance films which they produced during the late forties and fifties. This time, there was nor Tony Curtis nor Jeff Chandler, but George Nader. I had the same feeling in this stuff that I had with Robert Z Leonard's KING'S THIEF, for MGM and made on the same year. Maureen O'Hara was the best choice of a strong - in every way, physical and minded - woman; she was like this in real life. She was the only woman belonging to the John Ford's gang: John Wayne, Victor McLaglen - her co sar here - Ward Bond, Harry Carey, Ben Johnson. The Irish Gang. A weak female would have never been accepted among such rough men.

I am sure a lot of folks watch "Lady Godiva of Coventry" just to see how much skin they'll see in the movie. But this was made in 1955...so this is NOT a good reason to see the film. Is there another compelling reason to see this picture? Not really.

The story of Lady Godiva and her famous nude ride through town is a myth, and they chose to place the story in the mid-11th century, during the period when English king Edward the Confessor reigned. This was just before the Norman Invasion and the country is ruled by Saxons...but soon will be ruled by the western French invaders following the Battle of Hastings. All sorts of intrigue involving Normans and Saxons fill the story...most of which I honestly didn't care about one way or the other. After all, the serfs would still be serfs and life would generally suck either way.

One of the Saxon lords who is afraid of a Norman invasion is Lord Leofric (George Nader...who is practically unrecognizable under a blond wig). He is a grouchy sort (as are MOST of the royals in this movie) and is so busy hating and feuding with his neighboring Saxon lords. So, in essence, Leofric just seems mad all the time. He drops the grouchy goth persona long enough to marry a lovely local Saxon girl, Godiva (Maureen O'Hara) but is soon back to his Mr. Cranky personality. She constantly is at odds with her new husband and she is one spunky lady...married to a super-grouch. So how does all this result in Godiva taking her famous nekkid ride? See the film and find out...though, frankly, there isn't any payoff and the road there is bumpy and dull!

I am not a huge fan of costumers. But making one about this period or the period immediately after COULD have been exciting. After all, I love "Ivanhoe" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (both set in 12th century England). But "Lady Godiva of Coventry" is too full of angry, grouchy people and not much payoff otherwise. Nice music, nice color...but not much else. I particularly felt bad for Nader who looks ridiculous AND was given a script that made him look like a real putz. Easy to skip, hard to love....but if you actually DO see the film, notice what happened to Peeping Tom near the end! The only interesting thing I noticed in the film!

for many viewers, the basic motif to see this film is an one expected scene. who, unfortunately, is far to be to close by the desires. but., in same measure, the virtue of film remains to not be very different by others from same period and genre. love, conflicts, recreated Medieval fresco, the reasonable performances and Maureen O Hara as a nice Godiva. it is enough for a nostalgic trip around a legendary episode. and the respect for the recipes of genre, with few nice nuances, is a real good point.