10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful telling of history, February 9, 2001
This review is from: The Warriors [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This movie is based on history of England's fight against France for Aquitaine during the 100 Years War. 'Errol Flynn' in the role of Edward, Prince of Wales (the Black Knight) is England's greatest hero of the period. 'Peter Finch' is Comte Robert de Ville the Frenchman who refuses to surrender. Joanne Dru is Lady Joan Holland (playing the love interest). I love this movie. It is "Flynns" last romantic swashbuckler. Unfortunately "Flynn's" drinking has taken it's toll on his health. Even so I find this to be a great movie, well told & "Flynn" is great in the role. I recommend this movie to all who are either fans of "Flynn" or in history. The actors bring this little bit of history to life in wonderful detail. The sets & costumes are beautiful. The musical score is magnificent. Yvonne Furneaux is perfectly charming as Marie. Don't allow others who look only for perfection to sway you. You will love this movie & will watch it again & again. When I saw this movie for the first time the screen stated that it is recommended by the National Education Association.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of good fighting between Knights., February 11, 2007
This review is from: The Warriors [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I think it's one of Flynn's best older films. I like the Armor and Costumes, very nice. The fighting in armor is not too mild and not too clumsy and looks brutal enough for what a Knight would really do. I like the movie shots of the charging knights.
Plot is good, solid medieval action. Edward Prince (Errol Flyyn) has won a battle over the French, now he stays in France to rule it. Comte Robert de Ville (Peter Finch) and the other French Knights don't want English lords lording over them. So they first try to assasinate him, then kidnap his lady, Joan of Kent(Joanna Dru. Edward tries to rescue her, fails, has a swordfight, joins the enemy to learn their plans, tries to rescue her again, fails, ect, until the final big battle where the good guys have to win if it's going to make sense.
I do want to say that Errol is 46 in this film. That is not too old an age to fight as a knight. In the medieval times, the aged warrior was the most qualified to lead younger knights. He had the experiance that was vital, for there was no proffessinal Arny as we know it in those day. A man with experiance in battle was more important than youthful energy. Nobles in those days would go into battle, on horseback in the front line, well past their 70th year. So Errol running around in armor at his age is not an error. In fact, The real Black Prince Edward was still fighting wars at Errol's age, abeit he died of illness when he was 7 days short of his 46 birthday. And Errol was a heavy drinker so maybe thats why he doesn't look the part. But I thought it was ok.
The love story has stuff added in such as the kidnapping, but the love between Errol and Joanna is not contrived, as history tells us Prince Edward and Joan of Kent loved each other very much. Prince Edward had a crush on her since boyhood as they grew up together. but when he grew up he decided after he to marry her off to a lordly friend of his. But after he told Joan his intention, she professed her deep love for Edward, perhaps in a similar love scene as the movie shows it, kisses and all. Edward decided Joan was better off as his wife, not his friend. They were first cousins so that was frowned opon, but the Pope gave his permission so they were married in England and THEN went to France to rule.
In the movie Joanna Dru is too young compared to Errols age. The real Joan of Kent was two years the elder of Edward. So she should be 48 years old in the movie.
Peter Finch is a great French Knight, not a demon rebel. You can feel sorry for him, how he hates seeing France under the thumb of Edward. But in the end, you don't shed a tear at his death. But you say, there were brave men on both sides and this movie jolly well shows that bravely.
Watch it for a good time.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Flynn's 'Last' Swashbuckler, August 5, 2000
This review is from: The Warriors [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This was in fact the last cinema outing for Errol Flynn as a swashbuckler.(there did lay ahead a few television appearances during the period of 1956-7 where Flynn played various costume roles).
No one would deny that this is the least of Flynn's costume dramas. Although he is playing an actual historical character, Flynn, who was 45 at the time, does appear bloated and somewhat tied in several scenes. In particular his sword fight with a young Christopher Lee, is a sad reminder of his previous encounters with Basil Rathbone and Henry Daniel.
However, there is still much to enjoy in the film. The cast is good, featuring Peter Finch and Michael Horden. The picture is well mounted (at least for a British picture of the 1950's) with excellant exterior shots.
Although not hugely successful when it was first released, the film did gain some respectful reviews (particularly in the New York Times).
The film is not as enjoyable as the 'Master of Ballantrae' made in 1953, however it is by no means disgrace and is worthy of respect by any Flynn fan.
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