The Black Shield of Falworth

Instead of trying to portray real historical events, Hollywood instead opts for a fictitious story set in the England of Henry IV. Nothing wrong with that, of course. Unusually for Hollywood, they actually make an effort to get things right historically, and broadswords are used as broadswords and not as rapiers. The weaponry and military techniques are pretty OK for a Hollywood film, and are, on the whole, accurate.

The fight sequences are very exciting and, along with the training methods, are probably the best bits of the film.

As to Tony Curtis's accent. Well, we have in Geoffrey Chaucer an authentic idea of what the English language in London was like in the early 15th century. It is ridiculous to write the script in Chaucerian English - not if you want to fill the cinemas, at any rate. Compare Tony Curtis in Black Shield with Olivier in Henry V. Is Olivier's accent any more correct or authentic? This is not the deepest film ever made, but there is plenty to enjoy about it.

This is an adaptation of Howard Pyle's "Men of Iron", and an unusually enjoyable film from start to finish. Ignore Tony Curtis's accent; it hardly matters to anyone that young and everyone in the film is bright, lively and suitable to his/her part. The direction by Rudolph Mate gives a light, sunny feel to the entire piece, and he keeps the action moving splendidly in my judgment. The storyline is classic. Myles and his sister Meg have been raised as peasants. One day they journey to Mackworth Castle and enter a new world, the world of noble landowners, quarrelsome young prigs and knights. Myles continues to search for the secret of his origins and finds it in the Library finally, the Black Shield of Falworth, shield of an attainted traitor--his father; of course he was innocent; and when Myles turns out to be a promising young knight of courage and natural skills, he is willing to be knighted in order to fight it out--at Prince Hal (the future Henry V's) plan--with the villain of the piece to claim his rightful heritage and wear the family symbol again. Along the way, he falls in love with the daughter of the household and his sister with his best friend in the dangerous and unruly body of young knights. In the cast along with Curtis and Barbara Rush as Meg are Janet Leigh, then Curtis's wife, as his love, Torin Thatcher in top form as the master of knights, David Farrar, Herbert Marshall as Mackworth, Dan O' Herlihy as Prince Hal, Patrick O'Neal as Walter Blunt (very good), and Craig ill as his friend Frances; others in the stellar cast include Ian Keith as Henry IV, Doris Lloyd, Rhys Williams, Maurice Marsac and others. Music was supplied by Hans J. Salter, and the screenplay adaptation of Pyle's novel is the work of Oscar Brodney. Irving Glasberg's cinematography is delightfully rich,the art direction by Alexander Golitzen and Richard H. Ledel very good indeed. Rosemary Odell's costume are worth the price of admission. But this is an in-depth adventurous look behind the grim tapestries that usually baffle the seeker into the late Medieval Age, There is humor in this film, much hard learning for the young knight-to-be, mystery, skillful dialogue and unusually well-developed characters. This is an enjoyable and memorable work that is bright and lively from start to finish.

The Black Shield of Falworth is directed by Rudolph Mate and adapted to screenplay by Oscar Brodney from the noel Men of Iron written by Howard Pyle. It stars Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Barbara Rush, Torin Thatcher, Herbert Marshall, Craig Hill, David Farrar and Dan O'Herlihy. Music is by Hans J. Salter and cinematography by Irving Glassberg.

1954 proved to be quite a year for fans of swords and shields movies, spoilt for choice really. Demetrius and the Gladiators, The Black Knight, King Richard and the Crusaders, Prince Valiant and The Black Shield of Falworth, all got trundled out with colourful ebullience and a willingness to entertain the genre faithful. Naturally budgets and quality of picture varied, while for more serious fare there was the option of seeking out The Egyptian or The Silver Chalice insteadLeonard Matlin famously called The Black Shield of Falworth a juvenile picture, well yes, that's pretty much what it is, it wasn't trying to be Ben-Hur etc, it knows its niche in the genre scheme of things and lets rip in a whirl of tights, colour, smirks, bravado and romance.

It's ultimately a rompathon, it's predictable in story arc and awash with iffy accents that adorn a very simple historical plot. In short order it's an excuse for Curtis to be athletic and butch, fighting the good fight for his birthright, the fair maiden's affections and Henry IV's honour. The men are either splendidly handsome or crotchety villains, the ladies radiant and dressed to the nines. The fights are aplenty and decently choreographed, the colours sharp and the music a montage of medieval flavourings. If not taken seriously, and why would you? Then it's a fine rainy day movie to be enjoyed with drinks and snacks. Hooray for Olde England shenanigans. 7/10

I guess this qualifies as an overdue "thank you" to this movie for getting me started in a lifelong love of history. I saw this movie originally as an 8 year old. I knew nothing about movies, stars, plots, directors or anything else about film, but Oh how I wanted to swash and buckle after seeing it!

It also got me interested in reading more about the era, and beyond that to other eras as well. Since then I have always been sympathetic to historical epics and movies on screen--and elsewhere. No matter how horrendous they might be (and some of them are pretty horrendous), I figure if it gets people interested they can go from there. The funny thing is is that the real history is often much more fascinating--and can be more fun--than the Hollywood variety. In fact I never fully understood why people thought history was boring--perhaps it was too many dates.

So thanks Tony, Janet, David, and Craig for getting me started.

At least it was when I was 7! If you like The Vikings, Scaramouche, The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Crimson Pirate, you absolutely can not go wrong with this. Curtis is excellent (in an anachronistic sort of way) and Torin Thatcher is one of cinema's greatest villains. I wish someone would bring it out on DVD!