A breathtaking display of sword-fighting at its best, excellent acting from all the main characters, brilliant direction, superb over-the-top script and dialogue, first-class photography.
The final duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer is the longest in screen history. But more than that: its staging is first class. The protagonists fight up and down the theatre steps (of course), but also along the edge of balconies, in the foyer and even in the props warehouse. This is not just a sword fight, though: it's a display both of acrobatics and of the characters' personalities, with Granger's character exhibiting courage and magnanimity; Ferrer's is less generous but equally brave.
The drama is punctuated by scenes of low humour (at the clowns' theatre) and high irony (in the National Assembly).
Both of the female leads - Janet Leigh and Eleanor Parker - are stunningly beautiful. You feel sorry one of them has to lose Granger to the other; but at least the loser gets together in the end with a famous historical personage ...
Granger is Granger: suave, handsome, commanding. He is supposed to have done most of his own stunts: riding, duelling and climbing.
Highly recommended!
The final duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer is the longest in screen history. But more than that: its staging is first class. The protagonists fight up and down the theatre steps (of course), but also along the edge of balconies, in the foyer and even in the props warehouse. This is not just a sword fight, though: it's a display both of acrobatics and of the characters' personalities, with Granger's character exhibiting courage and magnanimity; Ferrer's is less generous but equally brave.
The drama is punctuated by scenes of low humour (at the clowns' theatre) and high irony (in the National Assembly).
Both of the female leads - Janet Leigh and Eleanor Parker - are stunningly beautiful. You feel sorry one of them has to lose Granger to the other; but at least the loser gets together in the end with a famous historical personage ...
Granger is Granger: suave, handsome, commanding. He is supposed to have done most of his own stunts: riding, duelling and climbing.
Highly recommended!