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This 1948 swashbuckler set in the aftermath of the War of the Roses has three things that makes this mildly enjoyable programmer: the underrated Gordon Douglas directing, the menacing scene stealer George Macready, and the dashing Louis Hayward isn't Errol Flynn, which is a good thing, as Hayward has got his own unique style; he looks the part, acts really well as the son who returns to find his father murdered, and his sword fights are executed with cat-like agility.

The story - A young British nobleman comes back from fighting in the War of the Roses to discover that his father has been murdered by an old family friend who is now an outlaw. However, he becomes suspicious about the exact circumstances of his father's death and determines to find out exactly what happened.

As the storyline suggests, there's a little intrigue, especially with the black arrows left for Hayward's character to read. It implies that his uncle, Macready, is the real culprit. The first half moves slightly ponderously, but it's still captures your attention. There are sword fights, secret passages, rebellious bandits on the side of good, and an exciting jousting sequence. Enjoyable swashbuckler, though I wish it was in technicolour. Check out the brilliant Disney 1985 version of this Robert Louis Stevenson penned adaptation.

Lois Hayward is capable of much better than this. It was slow and awkward...some of the cast was good but over all I did not feel the casting was a great asset...certainly the script and direction were not...the cast deserved better to work with. Still if you are an afficianado of sword and swash be prepared to sit around for awhile and wonder why you bothered to wade thru this...definitely "not" a keeper...but watch it only if you love Louis Hayward movies.

The film takes place after the War of the Roses ;now the York rule the country and the Lancaster ,should we believe the screenwriters ,have become rebels , their leader, John the dispenser of justice ,has his camp in the forest .Many scenes seem to have been taken by force from the numerous Robin Hood adventures; besides ,there's a younger hero (Hayward) a heir deprived of his valuable castle and lands by wicked greedy uncle MacReady ; Lady Marian is represented by the daughter (Janet Blair)of the lord ,who was slain : to make the matters worse,it's the uncle's brother (therefore the nephew's daddy) who was falsely accused of the crime. So nephew and future dad-in-law join their forces. Best moment is the Ordeal, rather violent for the time. As it is often the case,it's the baddie , cynically played by George McReady ,who walks away with the honors.

Based,like this other Gordon Douglas "roguess of Sherwood" on a vague screenplay inspired by Robin Hood,"black arrow" shows more originality ,in spite of two lackluster principals: Louis Hayward is a million miles from Eroll Flynn,being rather clumsy -I remember he was pretty mediocre as Lombard in Clair's "and then there were none" ;Janet Blair is a little better as another Lady Marian avatar,but she is not Olivia De Havilland either.George McReady easily stills the show,being nasty ,treacherous,unctuous ,the perfect baddie .

The story takes place after the Wars of the Roses but history is quickly forgotten and we have another story à la Robin Hood.That said,the movie is entertaining,it's action-packed and there's never a dull moment .

Starkly made in classic black and white, this medieval adventure is set and in England at the end of the War of the Roses. The main character must cope with the death of his father, apparently at the hand of a once trusted neighbor. Naturally, a love interest is provided for him in the person of the daughter of his father's killer. The `Black Arrow' is the mysterious missive that keeps flying in, to suggest that things are not what they seem, and to motivate young Shelton to search for truth. Some good sword play, chase sequences, and a classic joust scene for the grand finale. A good film for a late afternoon unwind.