Black Arrow

This good story, by Robert Louis Stevenson, is almost well done here, in what seems to be a British production filmed in Spain.

The leading lady is exotically gorgeous beyond words, reminding me a bit of Ina Balin. The young leading man is also gorgeous, but not very believable as a master fighter.

The title character mostly poses, but the actor portraying him seems totally capable of giving full flesh, if provided a better script.

Ah, then there is "Oates," magnificently played by Donald Pleasance, one of the greatest, most capable actors of the last hundred years. I just can't imagine him ever playing a part wrong.

The chief bad guy, played by Oliver Reed, is as rotten as a villain can be in a TV movie, and the performance is what we would expect from one of the masters.

There are, though, writing and directorial and editorial flaws, and they do detract, at least a bit. There are moments of corn, of misplaced action, and not-well-matching scenes.

Still, suspend your disbelief, admire the amazing beauty of Georgia Slowe, and you can enjoy this version of "The Black Arrow," which is available in a wobbly version at YouTube.