It's almost bad manners to criticize a much loved old film. Like seeing something for what it really is rather than view it with a keen eye. It might cynically remove the pleasure. Well, so be it: Scaramouche is ridiculous and oh so obvious movie.
Below are some of the major flaws:
Flat lighting where everything is lit in equal scale. Bad sets where plaster dues not look like stone. Cavalry chases in open countryside that looked like far ways on golf courses. Eucalyptus trees in the outdoor scenes. Costumes and a color map look borrowed from an operetta: Der Rosenkavalier seems to have been a reference. Incorrect uniforms for the time. Incorrect French throughout – use of pronouns and articles, names appropriate for geographical region and grammar. An infinitive cannot be 'split' in French. Timeline of the French Revolution and Convention is nonsensical.
While the list may seem pedantic it also says much about how Hollywood treated history and its audience. It is sloppy, sentimental, like a La Vegas show on ice, with wigs and big dresses and syrupy music. And well, the story and the plot that makes it work, is hackneyed and predictable.
The theatrical scenes are, however, good and there the color and costumes work as does the ever reliable Eleanor Parker whose character has a touch of humor but the irrepressible and optimistic Scaramouche is like Candide, just over stays his time.
Below are some of the major flaws:
Flat lighting where everything is lit in equal scale. Bad sets where plaster dues not look like stone. Cavalry chases in open countryside that looked like far ways on golf courses. Eucalyptus trees in the outdoor scenes. Costumes and a color map look borrowed from an operetta: Der Rosenkavalier seems to have been a reference. Incorrect uniforms for the time. Incorrect French throughout – use of pronouns and articles, names appropriate for geographical region and grammar. An infinitive cannot be 'split' in French. Timeline of the French Revolution and Convention is nonsensical.
While the list may seem pedantic it also says much about how Hollywood treated history and its audience. It is sloppy, sentimental, like a La Vegas show on ice, with wigs and big dresses and syrupy music. And well, the story and the plot that makes it work, is hackneyed and predictable.
The theatrical scenes are, however, good and there the color and costumes work as does the ever reliable Eleanor Parker whose character has a touch of humor but the irrepressible and optimistic Scaramouche is like Candide, just over stays his time.