DennisHinSF Review of The Master of Ballantrae

The Master of Ballantrae (1953)

Has Everything Going For It But Flynn

[6/10 · 17 June 2017]

I really wanted to love this; it has so much of what makes a great adventure romp work: Gorgeous Technicolor, A Wonderful music score, and rousing direction. Sadly the fatal element here was the film's star: Errol Flynn. Just 15 years away from Robin Hood (1938), Flynn looks easily 35 years older, as well as bloated, tired, and not a little surly. And what a shame, as he's only in his mid 40's here. But it isn't simply aging; he looks ill and broken. Flynn lived and loved all his life just as he pleased; sadly here his way of life has caught up with him and then some. Think I'll go watch Robin Hood & Elizabeth and Essex so I can remember the great performer as he should be remembered.