The Black Arrow (1948) User Reviews

Solid swashbuckler

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 12 June 2015]

THE BLACK ARROW, based on a historical novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, is an American-made swashbuckler that's set in England and tells a tale that's very reminiscent of the Robin Hood story. Set in the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses, it sees a soldier return home to find his father murdered, apparently by a rival, although he soon discovers that the murderers lay close at hand and that foul play was involved.

This is a light and breezy affair, with a fast pacing and plenty of action to recommend it. The swordfights are conducted in the classic manner with the opponents adopting fencing stances and a general old-fashioned feel to them. Louis Hayward, the erstwhile hero, is a guy I didn't find particularly charismatic, but the supporting cast of dastardlies and outlaw heroes is a well-chosen one.

Of course, never for a second does this film convince you that it's set in England, and the American accents of some of the cast members don't help much. Nonetheless it's an entertaining piece, with all of the jailbreaks, skullduggery, rescues and escapes you could hope for in an adventure movie. The ferocious jousting climax is a real highlight and surprisingly barbaric for its time.

Joust In Time!

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 27 January 2020]

Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Black Arrow" is NOT another Robin Hood tale even though there are similarities. It takes place a later period following the War of the Roses (in black and white no less).

Louis Hayward swashes his buckle as the dashing Sir Richard Shelton who returns from the wars to find that his father has been murdered and his uncle Sir Daniel Brackley (George Macready) has taken over his father's estate. Brackley explains that the murderer Sir John Sedley (Paul Cavanaugh) has been tried and executed. We learn later in a flashback that Sir John had been rescued by his cohort Lawless (Edgar Buchanan) from the bow man's arrow and is living in the nearby forest with a group of oppressed citizens.

The KIng appoints Sir Daniel as the guardian of his ward Lady Joanna Sedley (Janet Blair) who at first doesn't see eye to eye with Sir Richard. Sir Richard learns that there were four witnesses to his father's murder: Sir Daniel, Sir Oliver Oates (Walter Kingsford), Hatch Rhys Williams and Appleyard (Ray Teal) both of whom were Sir Richard's teachers in his youth. Gradually, Sir Richard begins to doubt Sir Daniel's story and suspects him of the murder.

Sir Richard and Lady Joanna both suspect Sir Daniel as the real murderer and Sir Daniel becomes nervous and attempts to jail Sir Richard. With Joanna's help, Sir Richard escapes the castle but is wounded in his flight. Joanna remains but is distraught to learn that Sir Daniel plans to marry her with the Duke of Gloucester (Lowell Gilmore) the future King in attendance.

The wounded Sir Richard is taken by Lawless to the outlaw camp where his discovers Sir John very much alive, Lawless explains that he has been utilizing black arrows as a means of avenging Sir John on the four witnesses. Appleyard is killed while escorting Joanna to Sir Daniel, Hatch is slain by Sir Richard in a fight and Sir Oliver is killed by accident at the wedding ceremony of Joanna and Sir Daniel all with black arrows.

Sir Daniel catches Sir Richard trying to rescue Joanna before the wedding and jails him. In the presence of the Duke of Gloucester, Sir Richard challenges Sir Daniel to a "Trial By Combat" which is his right as a knight of the Crown. In a bloody combat featuring a joust, a sword fight and an attack by mace, Sir Richard finds his match in his evil Uncle until............................................................

Louis Hayward makes a believable hero and George Macready is as always a slimy hiss-able villain. Lowell Gilmore's Duke of Gloucester is anything but the evil Richard III that he would later become. Janet Blair seems out of place as the heroine. Edgar Buchanan, stepping away from westerns, makes a good sharp shooting bowman with a little comedy relief on the side. Seeing veteran character actors Ray Teal and Rhys Williams in tights was hilarious. And watch for silent comic Billy Bevan as the dungeon jailer.

A bit disappointing-- but not bad.

[artzau · 7/10 · 20 August 2007]

Recently seeing this oldie on VHS reminded me of seeing the first time at the old Nile theater in Bakersfield, CA when I was a kid. I recall how disappointed I was that they had taken such liberties with Robert Louis Stevenson's book and had missed the whole point of the story, i.e., a young man's journey into manhood in war-torn England during the War of the Roses. This film version with its stock of veteran character actors from the old studio days came across like a poor man's Robin Hood, but then, Louis Hayward was kind of a poor man's Errol Flynn; so, in the economic logic of the late 40s, why not make a classic boy's novel into a grade B Hollywood costume romance? To tell the truth, I loved seeing those old faces that had thrilled me and entertained me as a kid: George MacReady, Rhys Williams, Roy Teal and Edgar Buchanan, Lowell Gilmore, Russell Hicks and Paul Cavanaugh were always showing up in films back then. When I ran the tape, there they were again. No, the plot line hadn't gotten any better and the history was tattered, but the visit of these old guys from the past made it a sheer delight. Well, I know now how my Ring Trilogy pals felt when they saw what Peter Jackson did-- but, then I liked those renditions too.

Black Arrows for Black Hearts.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 27 July 2014]

The Black Arrow is directed by Gordon Douglas and adapted to screenplay by Richard Schayer, David P. Sheppard and Thomas Sellar from the novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson. It stars Louis Hayward, George Macready and Janet Blair. Music is by Paul Sawtell and cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr.

A little known swashbuckler, the Black Arrow has all the requisite touches for fans of such dashing fare. Story is set just after The War of the Roses has ended and pitches the returning Sir Richard Shelton (Hayward) into a hunt for the truth behind his father's murder. Political intrigue, fights, brutal jousting and romance does follow. It doesn't give the Flynn or Power swashbucklers a run for their money, but it's good honest family entertainment with medieval literacy at the core and red-blooded machismo bulging at the seams. 6/10

Most foul means

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 7 October 2014]

The Black Arrow casts Louis Hayward as the son of a noble family returned from the War Of The Roses where he's fought for the Yorkist side which has just gained the crown again at Tewksbury. But there's trouble at home where his greedy uncle George MacReady has obtained the estate of Lancastrian Paul Cavanaugh by most foul means including the stabbing death of Hayward's father Russell Hicks which we see in flashback.

Hayward has to take to the forest where legends of Robin Hood abound and he gathers his own group of merry men. In Cavanaugh's daughter Janet Blair, Hayward has his own Maid Marian whom MacReady wants to marry and solidify his hold on now both Hayward's and Cavanaugh's holdings. That would make him a most powerful baron indeed.

Of some interest here is MacReady's patron the Duke of Glouscester who as we know later became Richard III. He's played here by Lowell Gilmore, most ambiguously.

As for how this works out the ending was used again in MGM's far bigger budgeted production of Ivanhoe a few years later.

Hayward who played a variety of roles and well is most identified with the costume swashbuckler. Although he could be a charming heel in many films, he's a straight Black Arrow hero in this one. Those fond of the genre will have little reason for complaint.

Slow and somewhat ponderous adventure flick.

[margot-6 · 7 December 1998]

Lois Hayward is capable of much better than this. It was slow and awkward...some of the cast was good but over all I did not feel the casting was a great asset...certainly the script and direction were not...the cast deserved better to work with. Still if you are an afficianado of sword and swash be prepared to sit around for awhile and wonder why you bothered to wade thru this...definitely "not" a keeper...but watch it only if you love Louis Hayward movies.

Black arrows and swords

[guisreis · 7/10 · 17 April 2021]

While far from innovative, it is an amusing adventure film. The Robin-Hood-like story is nice, the art direction is good, and it entertains, although a more convincing leading actor than Louis Hayward would be desirable. My favourite character was, by far, Lawless, the real black-arrowman, the hands of John Amend-all.

Saved by the Bible.

[ulicknormanowen · 6/10 · 25 May 2023]

The film takes place after the War of the Roses ;now the York rule the country and the Lancaster ,should we believe the screenwriters ,have become rebels , their leader, John the dispenser of justice ,has his camp in the forest .Many scenes seem to have been taken by force from the numerous Robin Hood adventures; besides ,there's a younger hero (Hayward) a heir deprived of his valuable castle and lands by wicked greedy uncle MacReady ; Lady Marian is represented by the daughter (Janet Blair)of the lord ,who was slain : to make the matters worse,it's the uncle's brother (therefore the nephew's daddy) who was falsely accused of the crime. So nephew and future dad-in-law join their forces. Best moment is the Ordeal, rather violent for the time. As it is often the case,it's the baddie , cynically played by George McReady ,who walks away with the honors.

Why is not good?

[rune_of_ruin · 4/10 · 7 July 2019]

This is a very short movie, but for some reason it seemed very, very long. After 30 minutes it felt as I had watched it for 90 minutes. I really cant tell why, but this film couldnt keep my interest up at all. I was pretty much just waiting for it to be over. And Im not sure why. Because its not a terrible movie by any means, it's just not interesting at all. So a little warning, you might enjoy it though, since I cant even tell why I didnt like this movie. Except for a weak story that is.

Nice family entertainment

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 5 May 2021]

This 1948 swashbuckler set in the aftermath of the War of the Roses has three things that makes this mildly enjoyable programmer: the underrated Gordon Douglas directing, the menacing scene stealer George Macready, and the dashing Louis Hayward isn't Errol Flynn, which is a good thing, as Hayward has got his own unique style; he looks the part, acts really well as the son who returns to find his father murdered, and his sword fights are executed with cat-like agility.

The story - A young British nobleman comes back from fighting in the War of the Roses to discover that his father has been murdered by an old family friend who is now an outlaw. However, he becomes suspicious about the exact circumstances of his father's death and determines to find out exactly what happened.

As the storyline suggests, there's a little intrigue, especially with the black arrows left for Hayward's character to read. It implies that his uncle, Macready, is the real culprit. The first half moves slightly ponderously, but it's still captures your attention. There are sword fights, secret passages, rebellious bandits on the side of good, and an exciting jousting sequence. Enjoyable swashbuckler, though I wish it was in technicolour. Check out the brilliant Disney 1985 version of this Robert Louis Stevenson penned adaptation.

Slow by today's standards, but with a great joust scene at the end!

[jersey-16 · 8/10 · 28 November 2000]

Starkly made in classic black and white, this medieval adventure is set and in England at the end of the War of the Roses. The main character must cope with the death of his father, apparently at the hand of a once trusted neighbor. Naturally, a love interest is provided for him in the person of the daughter of his father's killer. The `Black Arrow' is the mysterious missive that keeps flying in, to suggest that things are not what they seem, and to motivate young Shelton to search for truth. Some good sword play, chase sequences, and a classic joust scene for the grand finale. A good film for a late afternoon unwind.

The Black Arrow

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 5 January 2023]

This film is really all about the last ten minutes. When Louis Hayward ("Sir Richard") returns from fighting in the Wars of the Roses, he discovers all at home is not so rosey. His father has, allegedly, been slain by a neighbour and his uncle "Sir Daniel" (George Macready) has taken over his estate. Soon, though, our young knight starts to smell a rat. When the daughter of his father's purported murderer (Janet Blair) arrives at their castle, the plot positively thickens as lifelong friends start to look more and more untrustworthy, and it transpires that there is more to a marauding rebel hiding in the forest than first might have been expected. Of course it's a "Robin Hood" spin off and it's quite a talkie film, but there are some enjoyable action scenes and there's a certain chemistry between Hayward and Blair until the arrival of the the King's brother, the Duke of Gloucester (Lowell Gilmore) who facilitates the exciting denouement. It's got some good supporting efforts from Edgar Buchanan and the ever reliable Rhys Williams to keep it diverting enough, too. Not the best swashbuckler Hayward did, but it's still well worth 1¼ hours of anyone's time.

Oh Daniel my uncle !

[dbdumonteil · 9 January 2012]

Based,like this other Gordon Douglas "roguess of Sherwood" on a vague screenplay inspired by Robin Hood,"black arrow" shows more originality ,in spite of two lackluster principals: Louis Hayward is a million miles from Eroll Flynn,being rather clumsy -I remember he was pretty mediocre as Lombard in Clair's "and then there were none" ;Janet Blair is a little better as another Lady Marian avatar,but she is not Olivia De Havilland either.George McReady easily stills the show,being nasty ,treacherous,unctuous ,the perfect baddie .

The story takes place after the Wars of the Roses but history is quickly forgotten and we have another story à la Robin Hood.That said,the movie is entertaining,it's action-packed and there's never a dull moment .

The truth will out.

[Web_Of_Doom · 6/10 · 22 December 2022]

A nice action adventure set after the war of the roses, with a good moral tale where the desire for true honour ( good ) can defeat evil.

Of course things could have easily gone the other way & evil could have won if not for a lot of good fortune for the heroes, however the film is definitely worth watching once, as the acting is very good as all the actors take their parts seriously like acting in a good play.

A good example of a film with a good script, good directing & a good acting cast who show the audience can except this so long as all the involved take the story seriously & give the story the respect it needs.

Unfortunately the film is a basic formula & does not really stand out in any special way, however I enjoyed the actors giving it their all.

A hidden screen gem of derring-do

[NewEnglandPat · 8/10 · 12 August 2003]

This fine film is a dramatic, tense and action-packed story set at the close of the War of the Roses when a young man returns home to find that his father has been murdered and his estate confiscated. Louis Hayward is the dashing hero of the proceedings and Janet Blair supplies the romance in this film of treachery and palace intrigue. Hayward's search for the truth about his father's death places him and Blair in grave danger as sinister forces remain in the shadows, watching and waiting for the right time to move on him. George Macready is excellent in his role as the suave but evil landowner who also covets Blair for his marriage bed. Edgar Buchanan supports the headliners as an aide-de-camp of the outlaw band that hides out in the forest, reminiscent of the familiar Robin Hood legend. The movie has a classic good vs. evil theme and is accompanied by a fine score by Paul Sawtell.

Pretty Good Movie

[Rainey-Dawn · 8/10 · 16 December 2021]

This film might not be to every Swashbuckler lover's tastes but I enjoyed it. It's quite different as it is set after the War of the Roses ended. It's not Errol Flynn but it is good clean medieval entertainment.

8/10.