En garde! Rousing Swashbucklers
Films of great daring-do and swordplay.
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- DirectorMichael CurtizWilliam KeighleyStarsErrol FlynnOlivia de HavillandBasil RathboneWhen Prince John and the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard's absence in 1190s England, a Saxon lord fights back as the outlaw leader of a resistance movement.Flynn's best, mixing humor, drama, swordplay and archery. There are evil villains and pretty maidens. Still unparalleled.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsErrol FlynnBrenda MarshallClaude RainsGeoffrey Thorpe, a buccaneer, is hired by Queen Elizabeth I to nag the Spanish Armada. The Armada is waiting for the attack on England and Thorpe surprises them with attacks on their galleons where he shows his skills on the sword.The better of Flynn's pirate movies, with the actor more confident and the scenes more epically staged.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsErrol FlynnOlivia de HavillandLionel AtwillAfter treating a Monmouth rebel against King James II in 1680s England, a young Irish doctor is exiled as a slave to Jamaica where he captures a Spanish galleon and becomes the most feared pirate of the Caribbean.Flynn in his early swashbuckling days. His acting is a bit off, but there are some great battles. The first of the Rafael Sabatini adaptations.
- DirectorJohn CromwellW.S. Van DykeStarsRonald ColmanMadeleine CarrollC. Aubrey SmithAn Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.Ronald Coleman stars in the classic dual role, with Douglas fairbanks Jr playing the villain for a change. Court intrigue, romance and an epic sabre battle make this memorable. Created the "Ruritanian" adjective.
- DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsTyrone PowerLinda DarnellBasil RathboneA young Spanish aristocrat must masquerade as a fop in order to maintain his secret identity of Zorro as he restores justice to early California.In my opinion, the best of the Zorro films (sorry Douglas). Tyrone Power plays both the fop and the hero, while Basil Rathbone sneers as only he can. Rousing score adds to the excitement.
- DirectorGeorge SidneyStarsLana TurnerGene KellyJune AllysonD'Artagnan and his Musketeer comrades thwart the plans of Cardinal Richelieu to usurp King Louis XIII's power.Gene Kelly as D'Artagnan adds a bit of dancer flare to things, while Lana Turner is the femme fatale. Pretty good, if a bit long. I prefer the Richard Lester films, but this is very entertaining.
- DirectorGeorge SidneyStarsStewart GrangerJanet LeighEleanor ParkerIn France during the late 18th Century, a man sets out to avenge the death of his friend at the hands of a master swordsman.Stewart Granger as the wronged man in search of revenge. Mel Ferrer is the villain and Janet Leigh the love interest. Granger is never as charming as Flynn, but the climactic sword battle is unequalled.
- DirectorRobert SiodmakStarsBurt LancasterNick CravatEva BartokDuring the 1700s, pirate Captain Vallo seizes a British warship and gets involved in various money-making schemes involving Caribbean rebels led by El Libre, British envoy Baron Jose Gruda, and a beautiful courtesan named Consuelo.Burt Lancaster shows how a pirate should be played. Tons of fun, with the craziest battle ever unleashed in the climax. Nick Cravat, Lancaster's circus partner, plays the mute Ojo, to comic effect.
- DirectorJacques TourneurStarsBurt LancasterVirginia MayoRobert DouglasDardo, a Robin Hood-like figure, and his loyal followers use a Roman ruin in Medieval Lombardy as their headquarters as they conduct an insurgency against their Hessian conquerors.Burt's earlier swashbuckler, an ersatz Robin Hood-meets-William Tell. Virginia Mayo is the love interest. Pretty good, but Crimson Pirate is much better.
- DirectorLewis AllenStarsCornel WildeMaureen O'HaraRobert DouglasIn 1648 France, it's the sons (and daughter) of the Three Musketeers to the rescue!Maureen O'Hara gets to wield a rapier, alongside Cornell Wilde, Alan Hale Jr., and Dan O'Herlihy. Nice bit of intrigue and some pretty good swordplay.
- DirectorGeorge ShermanStarsErrol FlynnMaureen O'HaraAnthony QuinnBrian Hawke of the Royal Navy versus the pirates of Madagascar.Not Flynn's best, but Maureen O'Hara adds a nice twist, as a female pirate captain. her fencing won't win awards, but she has a decent lunge.
- DirectorHenry KingStarsTyrone PowerMaureen O'HaraLaird CregarAn ex-pirate contends with rowdy buccaneers and a love/hate relationship with an aristocratic woman who's tougher than she seems.Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, and George Sanders make for a great pirate film. Sabatini is there only in the title, but the film is fun, even if Power isn't quite the charmer that Flynn was. He is, however, very believable when he is deadly serious.
- DirectorRaoul WalshStarsRobert NewtonLinda DarnellWilliam BendixHonest Edward Maynard finds himself serving as ship's surgeon under the infamous pirate Blackbeard.Robert Newton really gets to chew some scenery. The hero is rather lacking, but Newton is entertaining enough to keep you interested.
- DirectorByron HaskinStarsBobby DriscollRobert NewtonBasil SydneyThe treasure seeking adventures of young Jim Hawkins and pirate captain Long John Silver.Robert Newton stars in the Robert Louis Stevenson pirate classic. Much of the cast is rather wooden, but Newton carries things with the strength of his personality. Originator of the "arrgh" pirate jokes.
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsOliver ReedRaquel WelchRichard ChamberlainA young swordsman comes to Paris and faces villains, romance, adventure and intrigue with three Musketeer friends.By far the best of the Dumas adaptations, faithful to both the story and the characters, as well as the elements of humor, though played more broadly. The swordplay is far closer to reality than most films, with duels far less elegant and more brutal. Faye Dunaway is delisciously evil, aided by Christopher Lee and Charlton Heston is a rare turn as a villain. Oliver Reed is perfect as Athos and Frank Finlay a wonderfully boastful Porthos.
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsMichael YorkRaquel WelchOliver ReedThe Four Musketeers defend the queen and her dressmaker from Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter.More part two than sequel (it was filmed with the Three Musketeers). This is the darker half of the story, but still manages some great comedy, especially the breakfast amidst a battle.
- DirectorJames GoldstoneStarsRobert ShawJames Earl JonesPeter BoyleA pirate and a hot-tempered noblewoman join forces to protect Jamaica from a tyrant.This tries hard, and succeeds for a great portion of the time, though mostly carried by Robert Shaw and James Earl Jones. Peter Boyle is pretty evil, but lacks the seductive charm that many of the great swashbuckler villains had.
- DirectorKen AnnakinStarsSylvia KristelUrsula AndressBeau BridgesWhen French King Louis XIV (Beau Bridges) learns that his twin brother, Philippe (Beau Bridges), could usurp his crown, he sets out to imprison him in the Bastille prison but four loyal musketeers are protecting Philippe.Beau Bridges, along with father LLoyd, adapt the Man in the Iron Mask. Cornell Wilde and Alan Hale Jr. are back in their roles from At Swords Point, with Jose Ferrer as Athos. Ian McShane is the villainous Fouquet, while Rex Harrison is Colbert. It has its moments.
- DirectorGregory RatoffStarsDouglas Fairbanks Jr.Ruth WarrickAkim TamiroffAfter their parents are killed, co-joined twin boys are separated, with one raised as a gentleman in Paris and the other in the mountains becoming a bandit.Douglas Fairbanks Jr. stars in the classic tale of twin heroes.
- DirectorJames WhaleStarsLouis HaywardJoan BennettWarren WilliamDespotic King Louis XIV discovers he has a twin brother who has grown up under the tutelage of his foster father, the patriotic musketeer D'Artagnan.Louis Hayward is the twin hero in this adaptation of Dumas. Not quite as rousing as the Musketeers.
- DirectorDavid GreeneStarsRichard ChamberlainTrevor HowardLouis JourdanA young officer, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friends," escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.Richard Chamberlain stars in this version of the Dumas' classic tale of revenge. Chamberlain gets more to do than he did in the Lester Musketeer films and handles it well. Tony Curtis didn't quite carry his weight here.
- DirectorMelvin FrankNorman PanamaStarsDanny KayeGlynis JohnsBasil RathboneA hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against an evil ruler who has overthrown the rightful King.Danny Kaye gets to play a bumbling Flynn wannabe. Lots of fun, with Kaye's signature wordplay, songs, and some pretty good stunts.
- DirectorMike NewellStarsRichard ChamberlainPatrick McGoohanLouis JourdanD'Artagnan and his fellow Musketeers plot to replace the ineffectual Louis XIV of France with his secretly imprisoned twin brother Phillipe, who is the firstborn and rightful King.Chamberlain returns in another adaptation of Dumas, with Patrick McGoohan as Fouquet and Ralph Richardson as Colbert. Jenny Agutter is lovely as Louise.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsAntonio BanderasAnthony HopkinsCatherine Zeta-JonesA young thief seeking revenge for his brother's death is trained by the once-great, aging Zorro, who is pursuing his own vengeance.Antonio Banderas gets to live out a dream as a modern Zorro and does it quite well, with Catherine Zeta Jones as the love interest. Very well done.
- DirectorDuccio TessariStarsAlain DelonStanley BakerOttavia PiccoloIn the New World, a new Spanish governor finds the province of Nueva Aragón under the iron fist of the corrupt Colonel Huerta and vows to bring justice under the guise of a masked avenger.Alain Delon dons the black mask, while Stanley Baker assumes the villainous role. Rousing fun, with Moustache adding some comic touches. great battle at the end.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.Mixing elements of the swashbuckler with westerns and war films. The swashbuckling stufff is mostly on the Death Star.
- DirectorRowland V. LeeStarsLouis HaywardJoan BennettGeorge SandersGeneral Gurko Lanen is the dictator of Lichtenburg, a country set in the Balkans. With the help of Napoleon II, the rightful ruler Grand Duchess Zona aims to overthrow the general. She is also helped by the visiting Count of Monte Cristo.One of several Monte Cristo films, it has more in common with the Prisoner of Zenda and succeeds mostly due to George Sanders' villainy.
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsTony CurtisNatalie WoodJack LemmonIn the early 20th century, two rivals, the heroic Leslie and the despicable Professor Fate, engage in an epic automobile race from New York to Paris.Not really a swashbuckler, but it has a great send-up of the Prisoner of Zenda in the second half, with a nice recreation of the climactic sabre battle; this time, with Tony Curtis and Ross Martin. Jack lemmon steals the film as Prof. Fate and it has probably the single greatest pie fight in cinema history.
- DirectorHarold YoungStarsLeslie HowardMerle OberonRaymond MasseyA noblewoman discovers her husband is The Scarlet Pimpernel, a vigilante who rescues aristocrats from the blade of the guillotine.Leslie Howard as Sir Percy Blakeny, with Raymond Massey as the villain. A bit low key for modern tastes, but good.
- DirectorClive DonnerStarsAnthony AndrewsJane SeymourIan McKellenParis, 1792: After France becomes a republic, aristocrats are guillotined. The English Sir Percy tries to save as many as he can as The Scarlet Pimpernel in disguises.Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour star in this update of the Baroness Orczy classic, with Ian McKellan in the villain role. Andrews shows a bit more here than in some of his other roles, carrying off the fop well.
- StarsRichard E. GrantRonan VibertGerard MurphyDuring the turmoil of the French Revolution, English aristocrat Percy Blakeney, often aided by his League of friends, secretly undertakes various daring missions as the Scarlet Pimpernel.TV series, with Richard E Grant. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Grant captures the adventure elements and the swashbuckling well, while Martin Shaw is an excellent Cheuvelin, though somewhat less fanatical than in the stories. The Blakeny's are quite nicely essayed, as a couple, by Grant and Elizabeth McGovern.
- DirectorBertrand TavernierStarsSophie MarceauPhilippe NoiretClaude RichFrance, 1654: D'Artagnan's girl grows up in a convent. When the mother superior is murdered, Eloïse suspects a plan to murder the king and hopes to prevent this and revenge the murder by finding her father and the 3 musketeers.Nice modern take on the Musketeers, with Sophie Marceau as the daughter of D'Artagnan (Phillipe Noiret). Much better than the Randall Wallace Man in the Iron Mask and Marceau is pretty wild with the sword. There is a nice "curtain bow" at the end, featuring the main performers.
- DirectorDon McDougallStarsFrank LangellaRicardo MontalbanGilbert RolandWhen Don Diego returns to California only to find the people overrun and overtaxed by corrupt politicians, he takes matters into his own hands as the masked crusader Zorro.Frank Langella stars in this remake of the Tyrone Power classic, using the same script and score. Ricardo Montalban easily steals the film as the villain, stepping into Rathbone's boots. Fostered a love of Zorro in my childhood.
- DirectorLewis R. FosterNorman FosterStarsGuy WilliamsHenry CalvinGene SheldonA masked vigilante battles a corrupt commandant by night while masquerading as an aristocrat by day.Feature version of the Disney TV series, starring Guy Williams. It does a decent job, even if it is a bit slower than the orignal theatric versions. The favorite of baby boomer swashbuckler fans.
- DirectorMichael GordonStarsJosé FerrerMala PowersWilliam PrinceThe charismatic swordsman-poet helps another woo the woman he loves.Jose Ferrer in his Oscar winning role. More a romance than a swashbuckler, but with some great sword scenes, especially the famous theater duel, where Cyrano delivers much better insults, while cutting his opponent to ribbons.
- DirectorRichard ThorpeStarsStewart GrangerDeborah KerrJames MasonAn Englishman vacationing in a Ruritarian kingdom is recruited to impersonate his cousin, the soon-to-be-crowned king, after the monarch is drugged and kidnapped.Remake of the classic. Granger isn't as good as Coleman, but the Technicolor really brings the costumes and sets alive. James Mason is excellent as Rupert of Hentzau. The sabre battle is as well done as the original.
- DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.Luke gets to walk a plank, swing on a rope, do some swordplay, and jump around on a sailing ship that hovers over the desert terrain. Not too shabby.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsCary ElwesMandy PatinkinRobin WrightA bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.Great fun, as Rob Reiner delivers William Goldman's script, based on his own book. Cary Elwes gets to play Errol Flynn and does it well, while Mandy Patinkin gets to swing a sword as well. The duel between the pair is up there with anything from the golden era oof swashbucklers.
- DirectorJake ScottStarsRobert CarlyleJonny Lee MillerIain RobertsonTwo robbers are persecuted by the law, whose servants are not much better and even worse.More than a bit silly and anachronistic; however, it is a lot of fun. It tells the tale of a pair of highwaymen; Johnny Lee Miller as the high born MacLeane and Robert Carlysle as the more humble birthed Plunkett. Plunkett has the brains and uses MacLeane's position in society to get close to their targets. It's pulpy fun and not to be taken seriously. Alan Cumming steals the film, though.