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Instead of trying to portray real historical events, Hollywood instead opts for a fictitious story set in the England of Henry IV. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Unusually for Hollywood, they actually make an effort to get things right historically, and broadswords are used as broadswords and not as rapiers. The weaponry and military techniques are pretty OK for a Hollywood film, and are, on the whole, accurate.

The fight sequences are very exciting and, along with the training methods, are probably the best bits of the film.

As to Tony Curtis's accent. Well, we have in Geoffrey Chaucer an authentic idea of what the English language in London was like in the early 15th century. It is ridiculous to write the script in Chaucerian English - not if you want to fill the cinemas, at any rate. Compare Tony Curtis in Black Shield with Olivier in Henry V. Is Olivier's accent any more correct or authentic? This is not the deepest film ever made, but there is plenty to enjoy about it.

The Black Shield of Falworth is the only other story I know that concerns itself with the time of Henry IV. He's played here by Ian Keith and the film like the Shakespeare plays about him concern efforts to topple him from his throne. But other than Prince Hal, played here by Dan O'Herlihy, the rest of the cast are fictional characters from a novel by Howard Pyle.

Young Tony Curtis and his sister Barbara Rush have been raised in the forest by Rhys Williams. They are in fact of noble birth, but Dad was accused of treason, his lands forfeited and his family under a death sentence.

They're sent still unaware of their identity to another nobleman's digs in this case Herbert Marshall's. Curtis trains first as a squire and then a knight by tough drill sergeant man at arms, Torin Thatcher. It's for the day he can challenge villain David Farrar and his equally villainous brother Patrick O'Neal for plotting against his father.

Of course Curtis also falls for his then real life wife Janet Leigh who O'Neal is also interested in.

The Black Shield of Falworth was the first Universal film in cinemascope and Universal was far more interested in the spectacle of the film than the story because they were competing with the small screen that was populating the homes of America. In his memoirs Tony Curtis says that the lack of interest in the story was all apparent, but that he did like working with director Rudolph Mate and his then wife Ms. Leigh.

Favorite in the film however has to be Torin Thatcher. You won't forget this rough and rugged old knight with a Rooster Cogburn eyepatch and a staff to support him walking. Still he's one tough old bird. Coming in second is David Farrar who is plotting to take the throne away from Ian Keith.

Which if you remember your Shakespeare was one that a lot of people felt he usurped from Richard II. So what we're watching The Black Shield of Falworth is just another reason why Ian Keith was not sleeping good at night.

The Black Shield of Falworth is directed by Rudolph Mate and adapted to screenplay by Oscar Brodney from the noel Men of Iron written by Howard Pyle. It stars Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Barbara Rush, Torin Thatcher, Herbert Marshall, Craig Hill, David Farrar and Dan O'Herlihy. Music is by Hans J. Salter and cinematography by Irving Glassberg.

1954 proved to be quite a year for fans of swords and shields movies, spoilt for choice really. Demetrius and the Gladiators, The Black Knight, King Richard and the Crusaders, Prince Valiant and The Black Shield of Falworth, all got trundled out with colourful ebullience and a willingness to entertain the genre faithful. Naturally budgets and quality of picture varied, while for more serious fare there was the option of seeking out The Egyptian or The Silver Chalice insteadLeonard Matlin famously called The Black Shield of Falworth a juvenile picture, well yes, that's pretty much what it is, it wasn't trying to be Ben-Hur etc, it knows its niche in the genre scheme of things and lets rip in a whirl of tights, colour, smirks, bravado and romance.

It's ultimately a rompathon, it's predictable in story arc and awash with iffy accents that adorn a very simple historical plot. In short order it's an excuse for Curtis to be athletic and butch, fighting the good fight for his birthright, the fair maiden's affections and Henry IV's honour. The men are either splendidly handsome or crotchety villains, the ladies radiant and dressed to the nines. The fights are aplenty and decently choreographed, the colours sharp and the music a montage of medieval flavourings. If not taken seriously, and why would you? Then it's a fine rainy day movie to be enjoyed with drinks and snacks. Hooray for Olde England shenanigans. 7/10

To my mind, this is the best knights of olde movie ever made. Years ago it was the habit of British tv station BBC2 to have a movie on at 6pm most evenings and they were usually, either 40 & 50's westerns, historical yarns, melodramas or swashbucklers. One such film was The Black Shield of Falworth, I was a big fan of such films like The Vikings (Incidentally or co-incidentally both starred Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh) and decided to record this movie, if it was any good I'd keep it, but if not just tape over the damn thing. The movie was that good I still have it after 15/16 years. The plot is similar to Henty's Novel 'St George for England' in as much as it tells the story of a peasant boy ignorant of his noble blood for most of his upbringing. though that's where the similarities end. The American accents in a film set in medieval England are ludricrous, but the plot of the film is so engaging that you don't mind as much. Torin Thatcher gives us another scene stealing performance as the firm but fair Sir James and if it's possible, betters his performance as Humble Bellows in The Crimson Pirate. This film has everything, action, romance, subtle comedy, and an excellent music score. This is not one to miss and I can't wait to get this movie on DVD so i can give my old VHS copy a well deserved retirement.

As I am nearing the end of this eclectic but erratic month-long epic film viewing marathon, I have decided to dedicate this Saturday to revisiting my fondly remembered childhood memories of two vintage (but relatively minor) Technicolor swashbucklers which, thankfully, I purposely managed to acquire only recently: one is the latter-day Errol Flynn pirate yarn, AGAINST ALL FLAGS (1952; see below) and the other, naturally, the film under review.

After all these years, THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH still emerges as the engaging romp I recalled it to be and is, in fact, a superior piece of Hollywood hokum – so much so that it’s quite a mystery to me how the film (which was even Universal’s very first Widescreen picture) is as yet unavailable anywhere on DVD and I have had to make do with a full-frame VHSrip which, in hindsight, is of surprisingly tolerable quality (with only the tell-tale excessive headroom being indicative of the fact that it was shot in a different aspect ratio). In any case, I think it is high time that, like Rock Hudson before him, Tony Curtis be given his own “Franchise Collection” DVD release from Universal which ought to contain (for starters) the equally exotic THE PRINCE WHO WAS A THIEF (1951; his first starring vehicle which was also directed by FALWORTH helmer, Rudolph Mate'), SON OF ALI BABA (1952) and THE PURPLE MASK (1955) – as well as any of the other Universal programmers Curtis starred in before emerging (if only briefly) with an altogether more adult image for Alexander Mackendrick’s superb SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957).

Anyhow, back to FALWORTH: set in England during the reign of King Henry IV (Ian Keith), Curtis is (albeit unknowingly at first) the son of an unjustly accused and executed aristocrat who, along with his lovely sister (Barbara Rush), embarks on his way to knighthood by joining the men-at-arms school situated in the castle of an old ally of his father’s (Herbert Marshall) and tyrannically overseen by cantankerous but ultimately well-meaning one-eyed warrior (Torin Thatcher). The impressive cast is further bolstered by the appearance of Curtis’ then-wife Janet Leigh (as Marshall’s daughter who, naturally, falls for the uncouth graces of this “county bumpkin”), Dan O’ Herlihy (in a drunken, buffoonish caricature of Prince Hal – later King Henry V – which is merely a front to mislead the traitors within his father’s court), David Farrar (as the villainous Earl of Alban), Patrick O’Neal (as the latter’s brother and Curtis’ chief contender at training school and for the hand of Leigh herself) and Rhys Williams (playing the loyal servant who harbors Curtis and Rush at the beginning of the film).

While some of the plot points got hazier with the passage of time, I still remembered the scenes of Curtis climbing the walls of the castle to go romance Janet Leigh during her afternoon croquet lessons, of Curtis stumbling around upon donning heavy armor for the first time and the exciting climactic jousting duel between Curtis and Farrar; needless to say, I now much preferred the various vivid sequences of training and combat to the bland romantic stuff but, still, I was disappointed that the immortal, much derided line supposedly uttered by Curtis in this film, “Yonda lies da castle of my fodda”, is never actually spoken, resulting in yet another Hollywood legend – a' la ALGIERS (1938; “Come wiz me to the Casbah”) and CASABLANCA (1942; “Play it again, Sam”) – which has, with time, grown to become accepted as fact!

How could you not love Tony Curtis in a knights and armor picture? He's wonderfully miscast in this middle ages romp about a "boy" (Curtis looks in his mid-twenties) searching for his father's identity. Valiantly suppressing his New York twang, Curtis climbs vines to be with his illicit love, Lady Anne, dodges blows from jealous fellow-squire, Walter Blunt, and throws down the gauntlet to satisfy his honor against the evil Earl of Alban. This is Tony Curtis at his campy best, his manliness untainted by the dark implications of his later work (to wit, the "Oysters and Snails" scene in "Spartacus"). The middle ages never looked so clean.

Nice adventure movie with stunning heroes/heroines, whole fast-moving scenes and great energy running through it. A spoiled young called Myles, Tony Curtis, goes to the royal court and is subsequently trained for knighthood. He is son of a deceased lord accused as a traitor. Myles results to be an excellent swordsman, rider and brave warrior who fights enemy and saves maids . Later on , he is out to thwart a nasty conspiracy led by a villain noble : David Farrar against King Henry IV : Ian Keith . Meanwhile , Curtis attempts to win the Hand of a beautiful Maiden , Lady Anne : Janet Leigh.

Typically Technicolor Universal International Pictures of the 50s , including spectacular and colorful scenes , comic-strip style , fair damsels in distresses , spectacular battles , glamorous costumes and many other things . Being loosely based on a popular novel written by the prestigious Howard Pyle . This exuberant movie is filled with battling bodies , invigorating vitality , romance and thrilling swordplay. Tony Curtis gives a sympathetic acting with his NY acccent as Myles , the son of a disgraced knight . At the time Tony Curtis played a number of swashbucklers and adventure movies as The Vikings , Purple mask , The prince who was a thief , Son of Ali Baba . He is well accompanied by his wife at the time , the beauty Janet Leigh , and the charming Barbara Rush playing his sister . Top-notch supporting performances from a great secondary cast , such as : Herbert Marshall , Torin Thatcher , Dan O'herlihy, Patrick O'neal , Craig Hill , Ian Keith , Rhys Williams , among others.

It packs a brilliant photography by Russell Metty who along with Irving Glassberg were ordinary Universal cameramen .The motion picture was profesionally by Rudolph Mate , though it has some flaws . He was a notorious cameraman and turning as a filmmaker in 1947 . He directed all kinds of genres as SciFi : When the world collide; Historical /Adventure as Seven seas to Calais, The Barbarians, 300 Spartans ; Westerns : In the Siege at Red River , The Mississipi gambler , The rawhide years ; and Film Noir : Union station , Second chance. The pictures themselves were for the most part undistinguished with his best work probably being the classic Noir DOA with Edmund O'Brian .Rating : 6/10 , acceptable and passable adventure movie . The movie will appeal to Tony Curtis fans .

This is an adaptation of Howard Pyle's "Men of Iron", and an unusually enjoyable film from start to finish. Ignore Tony Curtis's accent; it hardly matters to anyone that young and everyone in the film is bright, lively and suitable to his/her part. The direction by Rudolph Mate gives a light, sunny feel to the entire piece, and he keeps the action moving splendidly in my judgment. The storyline is classic. Myles and his sister Meg have been raised as peasants. One day they journey to Mackworth Castle and enter a new world, the world of noble landowners, quarrelsome young prigs and knights. Myles continues to search for the secret of his origins and finds it in the Library finally, the Black Shield of Falworth, shield of an attainted traitor--his father; of course he was innocent; and when Myles turns out to be a promising young knight of courage and natural skills, he is willing to be knighted in order to fight it out--at Prince Hal (the future Henry V's) plan--with the villain of the piece to claim his rightful heritage and wear the family symbol again. Along the way, he falls in love with the daughter of the household and his sister with his best friend in the dangerous and unruly body of young knights. In the cast along with Curtis and Barbara Rush as Meg are Janet Leigh, then Curtis's wife, as his love, Torin Thatcher in top form as the master of knights, David Farrar, Herbert Marshall as Mackworth, Dan O' Herlihy as Prince Hal, Patrick O'Neal as Walter Blunt (very good), and Craig ill as his friend Frances; others in the stellar cast include Ian Keith as Henry IV, Doris Lloyd, Rhys Williams, Maurice Marsac and others. Music was supplied by Hans J. Salter, and the screenplay adaptation of Pyle's novel is the work of Oscar Brodney. Irving Glasberg's cinematography is delightfully rich,the art direction by Alexander Golitzen and Richard H. Ledel very good indeed. Rosemary Odell's costume are worth the price of admission. But this is an in-depth adventurous look behind the grim tapestries that usually baffle the seeker into the late Medieval Age, There is humor in this film, much hard learning for the young knight-to-be, mystery, skillful dialogue and unusually well-developed characters. This is an enjoyable and memorable work that is bright and lively from start to finish.

The Black Shield of Falworth is not a supreme one but a decent knight's adventure. Young Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh and the rest of the cast take us back to the day of beautiful ladies and men in armor. The colors are great, the costumes and settings too. A fine one, but only if you like such kind of movies (Ivanhoe and so on). Rate 6 + 1 for the great nostalgic trip back in time of making adventures and epic movies.

Tony Curtis never lived down films like this nonsense, described by Barry Paris (who collaborated on Curtis's autobiography) as "more concerned with the CinemaScope wide-screen process than with the screenplay and characterisations"; in which the wide screen requires the cast to stand about the vast sets reminiscent of 'Star Trek' as if socially distanced spouting inanities to the accompaniment of a loud and twee music score which tries to compensate for any real wit in the script.

It's interesting to see Dan O'Herlihy playing Prince Hall, while Patrick O'Neal as the aptly named 'Walter Blunt' shows a penchant for waving a blade about that recalls 'Blackboard Jungle'. Too bad Curtis himself wasn't given more opportunities to demonstrate the incredible agility he was then capable of, leaping onto a horse and jumping over tables.

I'm surprised and delighted to see so many other comments, two or three of them identical to the one I had planned to make. I too saw this movie at age 8, and enjoyed it so much, I thought it my favorite movie the whole time I was growing up. I haven't seen it since it came out 53 years ago (!) yet I still looked it up, when IMDb was invented. Other little boys obviously had the same experience I had. My favorite comedy moment (no plot spoiler) at age 8 was the one in which Tony, being disciplined, is forced to hold a cannon ball at arm's length overnight, and in the morning can't put down his arm. The young Janet Leigh was in the film too? She must have been ravishing, but I never even noticed, of course. Hope an affordable DVD comes out which I could share with my son before he's too old to fully enjoy it. Best wishes to you other guys. It wasn't your imagination; it really was special, if you were a boy.

I guess this qualifies as an overdue "thank you" to this movie for getting me started in a lifelong love of history. I saw this movie originally as an 8 year old. I knew nothing about movies, stars, plots, directors or anything else about film, but Oh how I wanted to swash and buckle after seeing it!

It also got me interested in reading more about the era, and beyond that to other eras as well. Since then I have always been sympathetic to historical epics and movies on screen--and elsewhere. No matter how horrendous they might be (and some of them are pretty horrendous), I figure if it gets people interested they can go from there. The funny thing is is that the real history is often much more fascinating--and can be more fun--than the Hollywood variety. In fact I never fully understood why people thought history was boring--perhaps it was too many dates.

So thanks Tony, Janet, David, and Craig for getting me started.

My love for adventure/swashbuckler films was the main attraction in seeing 'The Black Shield of Falworth', and there are many ones out there. As well as seeing Tony Curtis in an early role and having Janet Leigh, Torin Thatcher and David Farrar in the cast, it was an opportunity too hard to pass up and it turned out to be a worthwhile opportunity.

'The Black Shield of Falworth' may not be an amazing or great film and there may be better adventure/swashbuckler films out there. It is however so much fun and it is very hard to be too hard on such a good-natured film that knows what it wants to be, who its target audience is and doesn't try to be any more than necessary. It is not a film to be taken seriously, this was something learnt from watching other early films of Curtis, and 'The Black Shield of Falworth' does very well in that respect without treating the audience/viewer like idiots or getting too silly.

Sure 'The Black Shield of Falworth' is predictable in how it's structured, what happens and the outcomes. Sure people looking for authenticity will be disappointed, with many anachronisms to be found. Sure it can get a little too campy.

Curtis may have some awkward moments and his accent jarring with the period somewhat.

However, 'The Black Shield of Falworth' looks great. Very colourful, handsomely designed and lovely use of early CinemaScope. The music is suitably peppy and fits well, while the film is ably directed and contains some truly exciting action (namely in the climactic moments). Curtis is an athletic and also dashing and likeable hero, and he is supported well by suave Herbert Marshall and radiant Janet Leigh and Barbara Rush. Torin Thatcher, enjoying himself a lot, and a suitably dastardly David Farrar steal the film though. The chemistry between the cast is great and it was clear that they were having fun and with knowledge what tone to take.

Regardless of what one's thoughts on the script is, the script doesn't sparkle and doesn't get too wordy that it bogs down the pace and action, of which it does neither. The pace is lively throughout and the story is told with constant energy and charm with the right amount of tension when necessary.

In conclusion, a lot of fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox

"The Black Shield of Falworth" is an adventure romance film set in early 15th century England during the reign of King Henry IV. It's a fictional story in an historical setting. It's one of several swashbuckling films that Tony Curtis made in his first decade in films in which he showed his physical prowess.

The plot Is interesting and the lavish film with castle settings, costumes and armor of the period, and a beautiful technicolor production make this an entertaining film. Janet Leigh played the leading female role as Lady Anne, opposite Curtis who is just plain Myles until the end when his true identify is revealed. Curtis and Leigh were married at the time (1951-1962) - the first of six wives for him and third of four husbands for her.

A fine supporting cast contributes nicely to this adventure and romance tale, along with a touch of comedy. Herbert Marshall plays William - Earl of Mackworth, Torin Thatcher plays Sir James, Patrick O'Neill is Walter Blunt, and Ian Keith is King Henry IV.

My favorite lines in the film were when Lady Anne and Meg rode out to watch the squires in training under Sir James - particularly Myles and Francis Gascoyne (played by Craig Hill).

Sir James, "Good morning, my lady." Lady Anne, "And to you, Sir James. We were just coming to you for permission to watch." Sir James, "You may indeed, then, but they may not watch you. The first man who casts his eye in this direction, I'll have it plucked out and fed to the buzzards."

A very entertaining swashbuckler ,inspired by Robin Hood's well-known story : a young noble whose father was accused of treason and thus was deprived of his valuable properties .However ,he does not take refuge in the woods, but in one of daddy's friend's castle : but he's not given a preferential treatment :he's trained as a squire and he's always on fatigue ; he does not who he really is and he searches the library of the castle to penetrate the secret of his birth .

The Tony Curtis/Janet Leigh glorious team makes the movie a winner in the field.She teaches Curtis' sister (Barbara Rush ) how a lady must behave herself and is happy to find a more enthusing lady in waiting than the austere matrons in charge of educating her.

The movie only knows one tempo:accelerated ,and there's never a dull moment .Eminently predictable denouement ,but pleasant on a rainy day.

I 've decided to let everyone else concern about accents,costumes,Tony Curtis being miscast etc etc..for now,my only pinpoint would be the title of my review- let meexplain myself: watching this presentation, made me remember and connect the (underlying maybe) dots to mostly a saga and a legendary -for what its worth-series of books-made-tv series, Star Wars and its offsprings and undeniably "Song of ice and fire" (yes,GoT). The plot involving two siblings,have to be kept safe and hidden, the "black crowish" guard, where to begin of.. rewatching it today, after almost 25 years since i first saw it as a child ,brings more scenes in favor of that.

Well played mr director, well indeed!! Enjoy folks..

Looking back, it seems like they showed this movie every other Sunday afternoon (and I watched it everytime). It's of a time when knights were bold and their women were beautiful. And, a time when you settled your disputes on the 'field of honor'. Tony Curtis looks a bit awkward in the role of 'knight wannabe', but you soon suspend belief and accept him in the part.

The story unfolds in nicely presented vignettes (over the course of years), that are assembled effortlessly and almost seamlessly. Battles and glory await our hero (the girl awaits too). It's an entertaining journey to the climatic finish. Enjoy....

It's enjoyable story, OK its Hollywood inaccuracies but the support cast is excellent which covers for utter wooden spoon acting from Tony can't act Curtis.

At least it was when I was 7! If you like The Vikings, Scaramouche, The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Crimson Pirate, you absolutely can not go wrong with this. Curtis is excellent (in an anachronistic sort of way) and Torin Thatcher is one of cinema's greatest villains. I wish someone would bring it out on DVD!

Rather bland and boring sword and sandals movie here with Tony Curtis playing the son of a gentleman who was unfairly called a traitor and put to death, and therefore The Son Must Die Too! but unfortunately, no one seems to know who he is (including Curtis himself) because a relative had hidden him from harm. Now, all grown up, Curtis decides to be a servant of the king, and maybe get some answers while he's at it. Answer-seeking is pretty much all that happens during the first 3/4 of the film, and well, that's pretty boring. When the lad's secret IS figured out, and oh, something about the bad guys wanting to take over the king's throne, then the film somewhat comes to life, and offers a nice battle scene for all our suffering for the first three quarters. But really, do yourself a favor and spare yourself.

In the days of Henry IV, Myles (Tony Curtis) and his sister Meg (Barbara Rush) are raised as peasants although their true heritage is kept secret from them. Lord Mackworth would train him to be a knight and he would fall for Lady Anne (Janet Leigh).

Tony Curtis' New York accent became notoriously antithesis to his British medieval costume roles. One can hear it, but it's not as bad or cartoonish as legend would have it. It is only one of many authenticity issues. It all looks like fake old Hollywood from the artificial sets to the costumes to how some colors look in Technicolor. It adds up to an old Hollywood costume blah with sprinkling of action until ninety minutes later. They have a nice joust although the foley artists could chill a little. Then they have a nice swashbuckling battle and we're done.