Bardelys the Magnificent

"In an age of light loves and lively scandals, a certain gentleman of France excelled in the noble art of getting himself talked about," introduces us to womanizing swashbuckler John Gilbert (as Bardelys). When Mr. Gilbert meets beautiful and rich Eleanor Boardman (as Roxalanne), he is dared to settle down and get married, on a bet. However, Gilbert's "rival in fashion and love" Roy D'Arcy (as Chatellerault) is also determined to win Ms. Boardman's hand, on orders from the King...

If "Bardelys the Magnificent" had not been lost for most of the 20th century, it would have built a reputation as a highly regarded and influential classic. The MGM personnel is first class, led by director King Vidor and cameraman William Daniels. Writer Dorothy Farnum gives Rafael Sabatini's story a very witty adaptation. Comic relievers George K. Arthur (the original Mike Myers) and Karl Dane are used well; it was after this film that they teamed up as a successful comic duo.

Gilbert's rambunctious sensuality is at its peak. It may not have been discussed, but Greta Garbo admired this film and had Gilbert do a version of his "Bardelys" character for "Queen Christina" (1933); her relationship with Gilbert has been documented, but she was also close with underrated co-star Boardman and Mr. Daniels, who photographed both films. A great cast and crew doesn't always guarantee high art in motion pictures, but it happens here. Everyone and everything is stupendous.

Some great moments tease along the way to a majestic (approximately five minute long) sequence involving Gilbert's escape from beheading. Don't miss this part (after about 75 minutes of running time), you'll want to play it again. Helping make "Bardelys" magnificent, the "3-D"-like escape sequence is certainly one of Mr. Vidor's greatest accomplishments. Thanks to everyone who worked with Eric Lange, Serge Bromberg and David Shepard in making "Bardelys the Magnificent" available.

********** Bardelys the Magnificent (9/30/26) King Vidor ~ John Gilbert, Eleanor Boardman, Roy D'Arcy, George K. Arthur

Based on a 1906 novel by Rafael Sabatini and subsequently dismissed as hack work by director King Vidor, 'Bardeleys the Magnificent' was a lost film until 2006, nearly a quarter of a century after Vidor's death.

It's certainly no 'Big Parade', although Eleanor Boardman (who married Vidor the same year it was made) would play the female lead a couple of year's later in Vidor's next major achievement, 'The Crowd', and is here a very attractive if too modern heroine (although that may be what makes her so attractive).

The emphasis is on romance rather than action, although enlivened by a last minute escape from the scaffold obviously based on Fairbanks but embellished (as elsewhere in the film) by Vidor's accomplished use of the camera.

Roy D'Arcy is a marvellous, sneeringly urbane villain who drops out of the film for quite a while; although during his absence an overdressed, baby-faced George K. Arthur enlivens the proceedings as a would-be villain hopelessly not up to the job.

John Gilbert and Elenor Boardman make a beautiful pair, and their scene at the lake, boating under willow trees, is romantic and rather steamy for 1926. That scene alone makes the film worth watching, and it's fun to see the dashing Gilbert later make a great escape, scramble up a castle, and engage in sword fights that may remind you of Errol Flynn a decade later. Gilbert seems underrated today given how popular he was in the 1920's, and his personal story - clashing with studio head Louis B. Mayer over his high salary ($250,000 for each of six films), his near marriage to Greta Garbo in what would have been a double ceremony with Boardman and director King Vidor, etc - is fascinating. While the film has its moments, it also trundles along at a slow pace, and the plot is rather mundane, so keep your expectations grounded.

Bardelys the Magnificent (1926)

*** (out of 4)

Adapted from a Rafael Sabatini novel, this lavish MGM production features John Gilbert as Bardelys, a wife stealing rebel who defies the wishes of the King and just does things his own way. He eventually meets and begins to fall in love with the beautiful Roxalanne de Lavedan (Eleanor Boardman) but the evil Chatellerault (Roy D'Arcy) has his own plans for the lady. This swashbuckling saga was lost for many decades until a print turned up in 2006 and in pretty good shape. There's a small section that is still missing but the restorers just used some scenes from a trailer and a photo recreation to help fill these segments in. This is certainly well worthy of being discovered because this is a rare case where a lost movie turns up to be a major find and a good movie at that. The flick is what I'd call a spoof because I think both Vidor and Gilbert are having fun and making fun of folks like Fairbanks and all their swashbuckling action pictures. Just take a look at a hilarious scene early on where Gilbert is kissing a man's wife when the husband comes in the room screaming at him. Gilbert, calmly, tells him that it's rude to be speaking so loudly and then goes back to kissing his wife. The love story between Gilbert and Boardman is actually pretty good and believable as is the hatred between he and D'Arcy. The ending goes out with a major bang that I won't ruin but some of the stunts here are extremely impressive and especially one where Gilbert must walk up the side of a castle. Gilbert, as expected, is perfect for the role here as I've never seen him so dashing or charming. I'm not sure what type of make up was used by he seems to have a glow around him as he dashing from one scene to the next. Both Boardman and D'Arcy are good as well even though they can never match Gilbert. Vidor does a fine job at keeping the film moving as the pacing is very good as are the action scenes.

Well first of all, M. BEAUCAIRE is Booth Tarkington and not Sabatini but it's still a pleasure to see this as an early entry in the MGM Sabatini cycle, along with a couple of Scaramouches, especially when it had been lost for so long. The copy seems incomplete outside the missing reel. Where is Edward Connelly's Cardinal Richelieu? The subject is not a good match with the talents of King Vidor. La BOHEME is a much better film and it appears perverse to have him do it, when Victor Seastrom, one of the originators and masters of the costume movie was on the MGM pay roll.

Vidor gives it good try and seems to have a nice rapport with the leads. Gilbert was at his peak and radiates star power here and Eleanor Boardman is a nice departure from heroines in ringlets. Their relationship makes the piece agreeable and the action climax, while it is sub Fairbanks, is ingeniously staged, making great use of the lances and having some striking downward shots.

This is an agreeable missing piece in the film history jig saw.