O Duque de Ferro

George Arliss continues his string of historical characters with his portrayal of the Duke of Wellington from 1814-1818, covering the first restoration of the Bourbons, the Hundred Days, and through the occupation of France while the details of the peace are hammered out.

Producer Michael Balcon puts a lot of money on the screen, both with leading actors, including Emlyn Williams, Gladys Cooper and A. E. Matthews, and a lot of spectacular set-pieces. Major battles, large crowds of extras and huge sets alternate with close-ups and two-shots of Arliss speaking his lines in a manner that always seems carefully considered and amused. It's a first class production and good to see, but in the end, it's Arliss's show, and all the production does is serve as scenery for him.