Échec à Borgia

I seem to recall reading somewhere that one of Darryl F. Zanuck's reasons for not bestowing three-strip Technicolor on this otherwise all-the-amenities production was that he was peeved at Tyrone Power, still under contract to 20th-Century Fox at the time, for turning down numerous scripts. That's probably an apocryphal bit of trivia since it wasn't very easy for contractees to turn down very many scripts without a dreaded (and costly) suspension, and also one might guess that the amount of frozen lira available for the extensive location shooting of this stunning swashbuckler wasn't as munificent as would have been needed to ship those cumbersome three-strip Technicolor cameras to Italy and to complete the expensive process of photography and the preparation of final release prints. But there's no doubt that color cinematography would have enhanced the final result.

Nevertheless, as other comments on this title attest, the completed film is one that repays repeated viewings. When I first saw it on a TV broadcast I was especially impressed with Henry King's direction, somehow more flexible and attuned to his actors' capabilities than many of the productions which he helmed on U.S. soundstages. I'll certainly add my praise to other IMDbers' encomiums for the male members of the cast, but there should also be a word of thanks for the lovely Wanda Hendrix's portrayal, convincing as a devoted wife of a much older husband, and the brief appearance as the treacherous Angela Borgia by Marina Berti, whose beauty was soon to grace the Technicolored screen as Eunice in M-G-M's "Quo Vadis?" two years later.

And this film also boasts one of my favorite scores by Alfred Newman. From the main title's opening bars, one knows that this is one of his best achievements, with an exciting sweep and, as the film unfolds, a masterful enhancement of the script's many nuances. This one truly deserves a video release. How about it, Fox Studio Classics?

Just this weekend I stumbled across this lovely film on American Movie Classics (AMC)while fiddling around with the old remote. I was absolutely astounded by the realism of the sets: one felt transported to Renaissance Italy. Castles, palaces, towers were all faithfully replicated. The costumes were gorgeous. The armor and weaponry appeared accurate and deadly. Even the catapults were genuine; they did not appear to be models.

The acting was superb! You take for granted that the performances of Welles and Sloane would be excellent. But the very pleasant surprise came with Tyrone Power's portrayal of Orsini. I never considered Power more than just a pretty face (and an excellent swordsman). However, this film changed my opinion of his acting talents completely. In fact, all the supporting cast turned in satisfying performances.

This is a true gem of a film, I would love to see it on the big screen.

This is a highly unusual movie simply because of the subject matter--the Borgias and the consolidation of power in the Italian states during the 15th and 16th centuries. I've gotta admit that this earns an extra point or two just for originality. Power plays a soldier of fortune--a role he is well suited for, as in many ways, it's almost like his pirate movies or Zorro! So, the transition is smooth. Also, the story and supporting actors are excellent. I recommend this film especially to lovers of old films and adventure movies. I think some teens and kids would also enjoy it, but considering the short attention-spans of most kids these days, you might think twice before having them watch this movie (or just force them to watch because it's good entertainment by gum!).

This is the only film whose producer ever rented a country. The tiny country rented to become "Citta del Monte" in Samuel Shellabarger's well-plotted "Prince of Foxes" was actually the real country of Andorra. The historical novel on which this beautifully-paced and emotionally satisfying film was made left Milton Krims, scenarist, with an unsolvable problem--which he proceeded to solve. The plot line involved Tyrone Power as ambitious young Andrea Orsini with Cesare Borgia's scheme to unite and rule Italy; Orson Welles does well as a charismatic Borgia, whose plan it is to marry his sister played by Marina Berti to the Duke of Ferrara; poison will follow, and the key to Italy will drop from the dying Duke's hand into his own grasp. But Andrea must first perform a mission involving the betraying of the strategic Citta Del Monte into Borgia's hands. His Mother, played by Katina Paxinou, is horrified when she hears what he is becoming; and during the mission, undertaken with Everett Sloane as an assassin he takes into service-- his own death having been the one planned--he decides to serve the Lord of the city, ably played by Felix Aylmer and also his daughter, with whom he if falling in love, miscast but hard-working Wanda Hendrix. The final battle is fought, and a happy ending is achieved--for all save Cesare Borgia and those whose death his schemes have wasted. This is a beautiful B/W drama, with lovely sets by Thomas Little,, Alfred Newman's fine music, Leon Shamroy's exquisite photography and period costumes by Vittorio Nino Novarese that I found unforgettable. Kudos also go to Roy D. Webb as 2nd Unit Director for the action scenes that relieve the very competent dialogue portions expertly crafted by director Henry King. This film, which could have been badly made, glows like a ruby set in the hilt of a dagger flashing back the rays of a spring sun. It is well-remembered, and a benchmark of a production against which other historical dramas are measured still.

The filming of Prince Of Foxes started a two year run for Tyrone Power in which he worked abroad. This film was shot in Italy and following its completion, Power married his second wife Linda Christian. His next project was The Black Rose filmed in Great Britain and then he appeared in the London production of Mister Roberts on stage and then another British film, I'll Never Forget You. I guess we should call this Power's European period.

One thing that Prince Of Foxes was sorely lacking was color in a film that cried for it. I can't conceive of going to Italy and shooting a film about the Renaissance on the very sites of the same and not spending the extra dollars for color. The bean counters at 20th Century Fox got to Darryl Zanuck. As it was one of the two Academy Award nominations that Prince Of Foxes got was for black and white cinematography and the other for costume design.

Tyrone Power certainly looked and acted the part of a Renaissance man. His character is peasant born whose parents worked hard to get him an education because of his talent for painting. But in the Renaissance tradition, Power plays a man of many accomplishments. An excellent duelist, a diplomat, courtier, and military strategist, Power serves Orson Welles who plays Cesare Borgia and his sister Angela played by Marina Berti in all those capacities.

The assignment he takes on for Welles calls for a combination of all those talents, Power is sent to the duchy ruled by Felix Aylmer and his young wife Wanda Hendrix. The mission is to maybe seduce the wife and cause the old duke to die in some manner and then to turn the strategically located duchy over to Welles without loss of life.

Easier said than done after Power sincerely falls for Hendrix, but also becomes friends with the aged Duke.

Orson Welles was in a European period of his own so to speak. Right around this time Welles was busy filming Othello and financing it intermittently. He took roles in Prince Of Foxes and Tyrone Power's next film, The Black Rose for just such financing. He makes an impressive, but subtly sadistic Cesare Borgia, almost my perfect conception of what that gentleman has come down in history as.

Everett Sloane has the most interesting role in the film, but it's also the films chief weakness. His character motivations, his capriciousness are never quite explained. But as it turns out it's Sloane's very caprice on which the plot of the story turns. He plays a professional assassin, loyal to no one.

Director Henry King staged some impressive battle sequences and with the location got the proper feel for what Renaissance Italy might be like. In some sense this film ought to be seen back to back with The Agony And The Ecstacy which essentially is the next generation of Italian politics mixed with art played out on screen.

Even without color Prince Of Foxes holds up remarkably well today. This is one case where Ted Turner's coloring techniques might really come in handy.