Cyrano de Bergerac

Almost never shown these days, "Cyrano de Bergerac", one of the best films of 1950, turned up the other night unexpectedly on a cable channel. It was a pleasure to see it again after so many years since we first saw it. Michael Gordon directed the screen version that became a favorite of people who were delighted to make concessions to a man that was far from being endowed with any physical attributes.

The enjoyment of the picture is due to the amazing tour de force by that wonderful actor, Jose Ferrer, a man whose friendship we cherished because he enriched our life with his honesty, frankness and charisma. Mr. Ferrer's contribution to the stage and screen can be best sampled as we watch him become Cyrano, a man in love with his cousin Roxanne, whose great fear is the possible rejection of the beautiful young woman in favor of the handsome, and younger, Christian.

This beloved theater play by Edmond Rostand had been translated by Brian Hooker, in what became the most familiar way American audiences met the illustrious French author. The screen play by Carl Foreman clarifies the text in ways that the movie going public of that era could relate to this man whose wit and charm outweighed his appearance, which was dominated by a big nose that rendered him an unattractive man. The poetry of the play is preserved even though it is not done in verse like the original manuscript. Dimitri Tiomkin's score lent itself to the action.

Mala Powers was a disappointment though. Yes, she was a beauty, but her Roxanne doesn't quite come across; she is at a disadvantage playing opposite an icon of the theater like Mr. Ferrer, who certainly had more experience. William Prince does a fair job as Christian. Morris Carnovsky, another great stage actor, appears as Le Bret and Ralph Clanton makes his contribution with his take of Guiche.

"Cyrano de Bergerac" is recommended to movie fans of all ages to watch the magnificent Jose Ferrer at his best.

Exceptional performance from Oscar winner Ferrer says it all in this adaptation of the famous Rostand classic love story. In one of the greatest characters in dramatic literature, Cyrano is the poet with the long nose who writes tender love letters to a beautiful lady for his friend. Cyrano loves the woman too...and the rest is magic.

Jose Ferrer first performed "Cyrano de Bergerac" on Broadway in 1946, where it achieved a very successful run (for a revival). Ferrer was highly acclaimed in the role and won a Tony for his performance. His success in the role enabled him to be the first actor to bring "Cyrano" to the big screen in English. This was in 1950, in a Stanley Kramer-produced film for which Ferrer won the Best Actor Oscar, beating out such actors as James Stewart in "Harvey", William Holden in "Sunset Blvd.", and Spencer Tracy in the original "Father of the Bride".

Until the 1990 Gerard Depardieu Technicolor spectacular in French, Ferrer's version of "Cyrano" was considered the one to see. But now, Depardieu's film has unfairly thrown this 1950 version into neglect. Part of the reason, perhaps, is the budget involved in this film. Cowardly studio executives who were afraid that a film in blank verse would fail at the box office refused to give this film the kind of budget that Laurence Olivier had enjoyed in his 1940's Shakespeare films, or the kind of budget that was used in films like the 1936 M-G-M version of "Romeo and Juliet" and the 1935 "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

And so, this "Cyrano" looks more like a cheap B-movie than a worthy film version of a classic play. There are no huge sets or spectacular camera shots--just the play, performed (with only a couple of added scenes in ordinary prose rather than the English translation's blank verse) on obvious Hollywood sound stages.

But, this film boasts what is certainly one of the greatest performances in the history of film--and especially American film. José Ferrer, an often maligned actor accused of hamminess and overemphasis, gives the performance of his life as Cyrano. His portrayal is in every way the equal of Depardieu's, and as far as I am concerned, even better. Depardieu relies on sincerity and subtle facial expressions. Ferrer also has these, but he has in addition one of the most beautiful, rich voices ever to come out of the theatre,and magnificent enunciation as well. Unlike Depardieu, who speaks the beautiful French verse as rapidly as if he were firing a machine gun (as do the others in the French film), Ferrer allows us to appreciate the rich poetry in Brian Hooker's translation, long considered the greatest verse translation of a play into English. His portrayal is more flamboyant than Depardieu, and he shows a heartbreaking sense of tragedy as he realizes that the beautiful Roxane will probably never be his. The "big moment" in the final scene is shattering in Ferrer's hands.

As for the rest of the cast, this is where the Depardieu and Ferrer versions differ. Depardieu's supporting cast was excellent, but here Mala Powers is disappointingly ordinary and one-note, though beautiful, as Roxane, and William Prince is quite good as Christian, but Ralph Clanton as De Guiche is rather cartoonish, an ordinary hissable villain until the last half-hour or so. The usually reliable Morris Carnovsky, though, is an excellent LeBret. The role of Ligniere, the drunk, has been eliminated,and his lines given to Rageauneau, the pastry cook (competently played by Lloyd Corrigan).

There are a few cuts in this version, as compared to Depardieu's, but Brian Hooker's English translation is given its due prominence. Michael Gordon's direction is excellent, and the duel at the theatre, while not allowed to roam all over the location, as in Depardieu's version, is well done and more faithful in staging to author Edmond Rostand's intentions.

This "Cyrano", however, definitely should not be allowed to fade away in obscurity, relegated to late-night TV, where it is now often mutilated for commercial breaks. It should be restored and brought back to cable to be fully appreciated.

"Cyrano de Bergerac" is based on the play by Edmond Rostand about a swordsman and poet with a long nose who helps another man to win the woman he loves. The film's story is an abridged version of the play based on the famous English translation from Brian Hooker.

José Ferrer is excellent in the title role as Cyrano de Bergerac. He handles all aspects of the character well, from the sharp poetic dialogue to the reluctance in conveying his feelings to Roxane. The rest of the performances were respectable as well, though clearly the title role requires the most acting ability.

This film is criticized for its minimalist sets. Admittedly they never bothered me, but at times the film was excessively dark, especially during the combat scenes toward the end of the film.

The story is abridged, but for me the essential components of the story were there with clever verse of Hooker's translation and the tragedy and humor of Rostand's story. The swordplay scenes are believable, though not exceptional other than for Cyrano's ability to fight and compose poetry simultaneously. "Cyrano de Bergerac" is a solid adaptation of Rostand's play best known for a striking performance from José Ferrer.

Classy version of Edmond Rostand's play about romantic as well as grotesque-looking /poet Cyrano Bergerac (José Ferrer who provides his most sensitive and believable acting) who fears to reveal his love to the beautiful Roxanne (Mala Powers) because the feels his huge nose makes him unattractive . Cyrano bears the pain of his devotion Roxanne ; however , attempting to help his lover contender . So , he serves as a surrogate lover by encouraging another man's attention to her . As , he supports the good-looking but tongue-tied Christian (William Prince) to romance her . As Cyrano expresses his own feelings by helping handsome fellow soldier woo Roxanne instead . And , finally , declarating his love to the gorgeous Roxanne . Meanwhile , there is developed a bloody war between the French and Spanish Armies and in which the two lovers take part with tragic consequences . The most fabulous hero of all time, with the most famous nose in history! He fought because of it! .He loved in spite of it! He lived to immortalize it! Fabulous Hero! Famous Nose!The Most Loved of All Love Stories!... he was the three musketeers in one, and one lover in a million!

Ths is the vintage retelling around playwright Edmond Rostand's known story of a giant-nose yet poetic cavalier . Settings are well designed to show the environment and piece period . And language attempting to capture the intricate sense and rhymes of the original dialogue written by Edmond Rostand . This is a multi-awarded movie for its cast , costumes, production design , music and photography . José Ferrer gives an extraordinary acting as the large-nosed Musketeer who finds himself too ugly to be loved . Ferrer brings to exhilarating life Rostand's well-loved play , delivering a portentous acting . Ferrer became successful and really famous for this role , which won him a deseved Academy Award . Being based on Edmond Rostand play and Brian Hooke carried out the adequate translation of the play . It displays an evocative cinematography in black and white by Franz Planer . Although , it is also availble in horrible colorized version . An and atmospheric and appropriate musical score by Dimitri Tiomkin . This Stanley Kramer production released thru United Artists was well made by Michael Gordon . Rating : 7/10 . Better than average . Essential and indispensable watching .

Other adaptations about this famous play are the following ones : Cyrano Bergerac 1925 silent recounting by Augusto Genina with Pierre Magner and Ferrari . Cyrano Bergerac 1950 , a nice recounting well played by Derek Jacobi , Sinead Cusack , this is a Royal Shakespeare Company Production , being translated and adapted by Anthony Burgess . 1987 , titled Roxanne directed by Fred Schepesi , this is a marvellous adaptation for the modern age , a contemporary comic take on Rostand's Cyrano with a romantic triangle between a a big-nosed , small town fire chief , a shy fireman and the lovely astronomer they both love , being performed by Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah and Rick Rossovich . And the best : Cyrano Bergerac 1990 by Jean Paul Rappenau with Gerard Depardieu , Anne Brochet , Jacques Wever ,