L'archet magique

The Magic Bow is usually known as the "worst" of the Gainsborough costumers - to call it that shows how very good all the others are, because this one is by no means poor, though the ending falls a little short. The actresses, who apparently hated the whole thing, don't let a bit of that show, although Stewart Granger looks a bit uncomfortable at times - perhaps the daggy long hair? The main three assume almost identical roles to those in Madonna Of The Seven Moons - Stewart Granger is perfectly content with his mistress Jean Kent until beautiful Phyllis Calvert comes on the scene - then it's watch out Bianchi! In this, he's a poor violinist and she's a noblewoman who falls for him, but is unfortunately betrothed to another, and can not get out of the situation. The whole thing is filled with some very lovely music, and is terribly romantic, probably more so than most of the other costumers. But, the plot is pretty thin, and Granger's performance is a little tired. 9/10 - raised an extra point by both the girls who really give it their all.

1st watched 4/22/2000 - 4 out of 10 (Dir-Bernard Knowles): Slow-moving romanticized story of classic violinist named Paganini. The movie seems to want to woo the women and share the man's story but doesn't do either very well.

This movie is pretty a good costume drama from the Gainsborough stable about famous Italian violinist Nicolo Paganini, set in the 17th century around the time of Napoleon. The Film on a basic level, is a rags to riches tale and also includes a love story, various complications amount as a result. On a technical level I was really impressed with how Stuart Granger did all the violin finger movements and bow strokes himself, all seemingly in synchronization with all the musical selections played in the film. No double or close up shots here, ala Hurmoresque with John Garfield. He's quite convincing as the 17th century violinist. The music in the film is great and a real treat for anyone who likes the violin, (though I'm no expert here, just very pleasing to the ear). The title might be seen as a little misleading, as the bow isn't really magic at all, though I suppose some might beg to differ when talking about a Strativarious. This is definitely one of the better Gainsborough costume pictures. All in all a great film with good performances all around, and I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5.

Just one postscript, if anyone is after a good read I can wholeheartedly recommend Stuart Granger's autobiography "Sparks Fly Upwards". His real life was as much of a drama and adventure as it was in any of his movies.

Stewart Granger as Niccolò Paganini? Not an obvious choice, I'd have said - but he actually carries it off quite well; especially since much of his scenes involve quite a lot of fairly sophisticated violin playing and his rather tousled locks get in his eyes once too often, too! Sadly, though, the rest of this rarely ascends beyond the mediocrity of a period melodrama - a love story between him and Phyllis Calvert ("Jeanne") whose mother has aspirations for a far more advantageous marriage for her daughter than this mere musician. Enter a very dapper Dennis Price as her suitor "Paul de la Rochelle" who rarely looks comfortable either with his spray-on uniform or his rather stilted lines. It's rescued, as is so often the case, by Cecil Parker as Luigi Germi, his manager/friend who somehow manages to keep Paganini on the straight and narrow as his rise to international stardom coincides with his rather complicated love life. The musical score is marvellous - though the sound mixing on this does rather drown out any dialogue - and the costumes all look the part excellently. At times it is all just a bit too theatrical, but as an introduction to the music of this particular maestro, it is well worth a watch (or maybe just a listen...?)

The Magic Bow is the alleged story of 19th century violin virtuoso and composer Niccolo Paganini as played by Stewart Granger. Granger looks the part and plays it well, at least what I heard of it.

I'm not sure if it was the film or the VHS copy I saw, but the music score drowned out the players during much of the film. It would have helped to have been a lip reader and then only if the players were facing the camera head on. The great Yehudi Menuhin did the playing for Granger and if this had been one of his concerts that would have been just fine.

After consulting the Wikipedia article on Paganini I found the Magic Bow to be quite a work of fiction. The plot has Granger as the young violin prodigy, seemingly content with his music and mistress Jean Kent who is also a budding singer. But one sight of Phyllis Calvert, a noblewoman quite a bit above him on the social scale and Granger starts losing sight of his career goals. It also doesn't help that French nobleman Dennis Price is also interested in Calvert and he's willing to back his desires up with a sword.

The article contains no mention of Calvert or Price's character, but in real life Paganini and Bianca did have a kid out of wedlock before they broke up. In real life Paganini never married.

I'm reluctant to criticize a film knowing that it could be my bad copy, but if it was the original film with the heavy handed soundtrack, be forewarned.