Quentin Durward

Director: Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe

Overview

Sir Walter Scott's medieval take on the "John Alden" story formed the basis of Quentin Durward. Robert Taylor dons armor in the title role, playing the son of an aging Scottish nobleman. He has been dispatched to propose to a high-born Frenchwoman (Kay Kendall) on his uncle's behalf, but one look at the lady and Quentin Durward falls head over heels. But there are villains to vanquish in several sword fight setpieces, the best of which is the climactic battle in which the hero and the head bad guy (Duncan Lamont) dangle on bell ropes. Quentin Durward was the fifth MGM Robert Taylor picture filmed in whole or in part in England; the others were Conspirator, Quo Vadis, Ivanhoe and Knights of the Round Table.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/2009
UPC:	0883316125397
Original Release:	1955
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	29,780

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Taylor	Quentin Durward
Kay Kendall	Isabelle
Robert Morley	Rei Louis XI
Alec Clunes	Actor
George Cole	Hayraddin
Duncan Lamont	Count William de la Marck
Laya Raki	Gypsy Dancer
Marius Goring	Count Philip de Creville
Wilfrid Hyde-White	Master Oliver
Eric Pohlmann	Gluckmeister
Harcourt Williams	Bishop of Liege
Michael Goodliffe	Count de Dunois
John Carson	Duke of Orleans
Nicholas Hannen	John Cardinal Balue
Moultrie Kelsall	Lord Malcolm
Frank Tickle	Petit Andre
Bill Shine	Trois-Eschelles
Ernest Thesiger	Lord Crawford,Lord Crawford
Fiona Clyne	Lady-in-Waiting
Eric Corrie	Man-at-Arms
Mark Dignam	Innkeeper
Philip Gilbert	Louis' Messenger
Arthur Howard	Injured Priest
George Mossman	Coach Driver
Michael Mulcaster	Landlord
Ambrosine Phillpotts	Lady Hameline
Roy Purcell	Troop Leader
John Stevenson Lang	Painter
Bronislau Kaper	Composer

Technical Credits

Robert Ardrey

George Froeschel

Richard Thorpe	Director
Robert Ardrey	Screenwriter
George Froeschel	Screenwriter
Pandro S. Berman	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Quentin Durward is good swashbuckling fun, a popcorn movie that doesn't pretend to be anything else. In other words, creating capital-A Art was not on anyone's mind when Quentin was made, just something that would prove diverting to audiences. The result is flawed, certainly, but fans of medieval tales of romance and swordfights will be nicely entertained, even if the pace occasionally lags and if the story gets too tangled up in its own intrigues and never really gets straightened out. Naturally, modern viewers will wince at some of the stilted dialogue, but they'll also get drawn in by the yummy cinematography, which makes excellent (if spare) use of on-location castles and chateaux. The studio sets are also commendable, and the costumes are as lavish as one expects of an MGM period film. In the title role, Robert Taylor, who tended toward woodenness unless handled just right, is as lively and dashing as one might wish. It goes without saying that he looks the part, even if he is perhaps a bit older than the character's real age. Kay Kendall is also an eyeful, and if she remains a bit remote, she still brings considerable skill to the part. Best of all is Robert Morley, hamming it up and having a fine old time as Louis XI.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler