Sword of Villon

Screen Directors Playhouse: Sword of Villon (1956)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

I think it's rather clear that this entry in the Hal Roach series was meant to try and bring star Errol Flynn back to his popular days. By this time Flynn was certainly on the downside of his career and sadly he was just three years away from his death but this actually turned out to be a pretty good swan song to some sorts. In the film Flynn plays Francois Villon, a real Frenchman who learns that his King is about to be murdered, which could set off a war between the English and French. With the assistance of a woman Villon must try and thwart the plot. There are some very good things in this film but there are also a couple weak ones. The biggest problem is that the film tries to have an epic feel but it's obvious that they're shooting on small sets and there are several times that things just seem way too tight for their own good. Another problem is that the screenplay really isn't all that interesting as we get a basic murder plot, weak dialogue and nothing is every all that exciting. What makes the film worth watching is the performance of Flynn. He's certainly far from his days as Robin Hood but I thought the 47-year-old did a nice job in the role and he still had that charm that everyone remembers him for. The scenes with the sword fights were nicely staged and we at least get to see the star doing this type of role one last time. Flynn's career would take a nose dive from this point on but this short at least gives viewers a chance to remember him for something other than the controversy that was surrounding him at this point in time.

In this episode of SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE, Errol Flynn plays Francois Villon, the 15th Century poet who acquired a reputation as a rogue and general scallywag. Here he's doing his best to save the beautiful Lois Collier and her brother from the rapacious and evil Hillary Brooke.

Flynn is getting a little long in the tooth and broad in the face to play the swashbuckler as blithely as he had twenty years earlier, but he acquits himself well enough under the direction of George Waggner. Waggner had come to Hollywood seeking an acting career in the 1920s, but that had not been very successful. By the 1930s he had switched to writing, editing, song composition and by 1938, directing. Although never very distinguished, he had some decent hits, moving into television in the early 1950s. He retired in 1967 and died in 1984 at the age of 90.

Bob.

Flynn's roguish role here is tailor made, including the three lovely ladies that surround him. At this point, the 47-year old actor's best days were behind him, plus being only 3-years away from an untimely death. Nonetheless, he still looks good and swashbuckles in typical Captain Blood fashion. The story too is appropriate—thwarting a plot against the French king. But what impresses me is the costuming (catch the Count's rich costume and the ladies' finery at the ball), along with the period sets, all of which are much more elaborate than expected from half- hour TV. Good also to see the always regal Hillary Brooke, well cast as a courtly conspirator. It all adds up to a well produced and lively half-hour of Flynn hokum.

This is another episode of the TV anthology series--one that featured some outstanding directors and actors in some very nice made for TV mini-movies. Generally the show was very impressive--and I looked forward to seeing this one as it starred Errol Flynn shortly before his very premature death--playing one of his most famous sort of roles as a swashbuckler and lover.

The story is about Francis Villon--a real 15th century Frenchman whose exploits Hollywood has fictionalized many times. How true any of this is very doubtful but entertaining. A messenger comes to Villon at night to alert him about a plot to kill the King. Why she seeks out this one man is a bit confusing--a general might seem more useful. Regardless, Villon and his merry men agree to go to a 'fancy dress ball' to foil the evil Count's plans.

Overall, this is far from a great episode (mostly due to poorly written dialog and a cramped feel on the set) but I was happy that it was not bad--Flynn did a fine job and did not embarrass himself. Flynn looked older but pretty healthy here. Although he'd be dead within three years, his puffy and sadly dissipated look he'd soon develop was not all that evident here. His last films, however, were pretty sad to watch due to his drinking and carousing--and they were also pretty poorly written. At least his TV appearance was pretty decent.