Crossed Swords [Blu-ray]

Overview

A poor commoner and a young prince each find out how the other half lives in this adventure story based on the classic tale by Mark Twain. Tom Canty (Mark Lester) is a young man from a laboring family who bears a striking resemblance to Prince Edward (also played by Lester), the son of King Henry VIII (Charlton Heston) and heir to his throne. Tom and Edward meet by chance, and they decide to exchange places briefly as a lark; Edward will get to live as an ordinary boy, and Tom will be able to enjoy the perks of royalty. But the two are separated before they can let everyone in on the joke, and Tom discovers as he pretends to be Price Edward that the castle is awash in corruption. Originally released as Crossed Swords, The Prince and the Pauper also features Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, George C. Scott, and Rex Harrison.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/2021
UPC:	0738329245221
Original Release:	1977
Rating:	PG
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:53:00
Sales rank:	33,018

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Mark Lester	Tom Canty
Oliver Reed	Miles Hendon
Raquel Welch	Edith
Ernest Borgnine	John Canty
George C. Scott	Ruffler
Rex Harrison	Duke of Norfolk
David Hemmings	Hugh Hendon
Harry Andrews	Hertford
Julian Orchard	St. John
Murray Melvin	The Prince's Dresser
Graham Stark	Jester
Sybil Danning	Mother Canty
Lalla Ward	Princess Elizabeth,Forester
Felicity Dean	Lady Jane
Charlton Heston	Henry VIII
Preston Lockwood	Father Andrew
Arthur Hewlett	Fat Man
Harry Fowler	Nipper
Richard Hurndall	Cranmer
Dan Meaden	1st Guard
Don Henderson	Burly Ruffian
Sydney Bromley	Peasant
Ruth Madoc	Moll
Dudley Sutton	Hodge
Roy Evans	Night Owl
William Lawford	Mandrake
Peter O'Farrell	Linklight
Anthony Sharp	Dr. Buttes
Peter Cellier	Mean Man
Andrew Lodge	Capt. of the Guard
Michael Ripper	Edith's Servant
Tommy Wright	Constable
Maurice Jarre	Composer

Technical Credits

Pierre Spengler

Berta Dominguez D.

George MacDonald Fraser

Berta Dominquez Spengler

Richard Fleischer	Director
Ilya Salkind	Executive Producer,Producer
Pierre Spengler	Producer,Screenwriter
Berta Dominguez D.	Screenwriter
George MacDonald Fraser	Screenwriter
Wally Veevers	Special Effects
Roy Charman	Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer
Berta Dominquez Spengler	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Whatever its flaws, The Prince and the Pauper is certainly a lavish and visually stylish adaptation of the Mark Twain classic. The sets and costumes are quite eye-catching, and Jack Cardiff has photographed the proceedings to take advantage of every opportunity to show them and the cast off. And quite a few members of that cast are well worth showing off. Even if Oliver Reed could perhaps have benefited from at least a hint of a sense of humor, the intensity that he brings to his role is still quite impressive. Raquel Welch has rarely looked better; what's surprising is that she has also rarely acted better, turning in a delightful performance with more depth to it than usual. Ernest Borgnine and George C. Scott chew up the scenery in a most delightful manner, and Rex Harrison is dry, wry and commanding. On the other hand, Charlton Heston is a bit too broad (and American) as Henry VIII and David Hemmings is a bit too one-note as the villain in a role that requires at least a modicum of Basil Rathbone-like charm. Much more problematic is Mark Lester in the title roles. He's too old for the parts, and while he seems to be trying to act young, his physical presence works against him. In addition, it's an awkward and unconvincing pair of performances; if his Prince just barely passes muster, his Pauper falls far short of the mark. He's not helped by the lackluster direction of Richard Fleischer, which lacks the imagination that is required. Fleischer's work here is literal-minded when what is required is flamboyance. The Prince and the Pauper survives the direction and the miscasting, but these deficits do drag it down.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler