10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Dream Of Romance, March 19, 2002
This review is from: Knight Without Armor [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The story is familiar enough: Russian noblewoman abducted, and saved after many adventurers. It seems improbable now, but the material is very close not only to historical accounts of such escapes, or even merely to the fictional Anastasia of stage and film. Eighty years ago, nobody wold have doubted a bit of it. Some aristocrats did escape. Some titled and formerly rich and beautiful Russian women found their various ways to Berlin and Paris. Several founded successful businesses based on their knowledge of and familiarity with beautiful things; they dealt in lingeree, clothing, furs, jewels. During the 20s there actually was such a thing as Russian chic, and this film recaptures some of that romance.
Like all well-made black and white films, KNIGHT has the feeling of a dream, and that feeling is sustained throughout with the most amazing display of understated cinematic skill. The scenario: A beautiful woman living in a cocoon of wealth and privilege, is swept away in the middle of the night. Led and shielded by a handsome stranger, she finds her way to political and emotional freedom, by crossing a final border, and by falling in love with her non-aristocratic guardian and savior. She becoemes a 'real' woman. This is fairly pure Joseph Campbell with a bit of Cocteau and Jung thrown in for good measur. If it is not bluntly erotic enough for our time, perhaps, or for a somewhat earlier time -- think of Dr. Zivago -- it brings us back to a frame of mind that died with the First World War, when what attracted men and women to one another, had to do with character; when admiration combined with sex to form Adoration. It was a time of ideals. Dietrich's exceptional beauty in this film, is more than merely the beauty of an actress. Here, it becomes symbolic of all that was beautiful in Aristocratic Russia before the Revolution. She becomes the embodiment of some a rare and exquisite treasure very much like a Feberge jewel; something fragile, unique, astonishing. She looks the way Rachmaninoff sounds.
This is a cinematic experience of exceptional beauty; much like a fine eau de parfum; Chanel's Russian Leather, perhaps.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful film by the Korda brothers., May 11, 2010
This review is from: Knight Without Armor [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Staring Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat, KNIGHT WITHOUT ARMOUR (1937).
This is a Korda production, so it pretty much goes without saying (at least to anyone that knows Korda Bros. movies) that this is top notch all the way, sets, costumes, everything.
Donat is a writer working in Russia just before WW1. Dietrich is an aristocrat with a father who is none to popular with angry Bolsheviks. Donat is recruited to be a spy for his country when WW1 breaks out and changes both their lives. Donat and Dietrich spend a lot of the movie on the run, getting burned by both bloodthirsty sides during the Russian Civil War.
This is more the suave Donat from COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO as opposed to the more "academic" Donat from things like MR CHIPS and THE CITIDEL. Like Mr. Chips, this movie is based on a book by James Hilton, whose novels RANDOM HARVEST and LOST HORIZON were also adapted into great movies.
Also of note in this movie is John Clements who is really great as a sympathetic "Red". Clements also did some fine work in movies such as THINGS TO COME(1936) and FOUR FEATHERS(1939). This is basically a showcase for Dietrich however. She glows in every shot she's in. There is some lovely cinematography in this by Harry Stradling, an academy award winning cinematographer for THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY and MY FAIR LADY. He has many other fine film credits under his belt, including STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.
There are so many lovely shots in this film. One scene with Marlene running in a flowing white nightgown outside across the grounds of her grand estate. A great opening shot at a race track that fills the screen with men in top hats. A lovely silhouette shot of Donat and Dietrich in a carriage, black against white clouds.
Some really fine work here both technically, musically (it features a great Miklos Rozsa score, early in his career) and in the acting department.
Marlene was still considered box office poison at this point. Her popularity had plummeted shortly after her breakout role in THE BLUE ANGEL. KNIGHT WITHOUT ARMOUR was also considered another Dietrich flop at the box office. It wouldn't be until DESTRY RIDES AGAIN that Dietrich would be back in favor with the studios.
Donat, still two years away from Mr. Chips, suffered from a major asthma attack during filming, something he suffered with until his death. It was so severe that Korda considered replacing him. However, Dietrich went to bat for Donat with Korda and was able to keep him on the project, even going so far as to help nurse him back to health.
Anyways...it's a great dramatic action movie bordering on epic in its history based theme. Very exciting and fun movie.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Marlene is breathtaking!, March 22, 2006
This review is from: Knight Without Armor [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is a must see for Dietrich fans. The chemistry between Dietrich and Donat is amazing especially considering he was sick during filming. This is my favorite Dietrich film, it is beautiful to watch. The beginning when she is overtaken by the mob is poetic eye candy.
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