Andre-Louis Moreau is a nobleman's bastard in the days of the French revolution. Noel, the Marquis de Mayne, a nobleman in love with the Queen, is ordered to seek the hand of a young ingenue, Aline, in marriage. Andre also meets Aline, and forms an interest in her. But when the marquis kills his best friend Andre declares himself the Marquis's enemy and vows to avenge his friend. He hides out, a wanted man, as an actor in a commedia troupe, and spends his days learning how to handle a sword. When de Maynes becomes a spadassinicide, challenging opposing National Assembly members to duels they have no hope of winning, Andre becomes a politician to protect the third estate (and hopefully ventilate de Maynes). In France during the late 18th Century, a man sets out to avenge the death of his friend at the hands of a master swordsman. André Moreau (Stewart Granger) Sets out to revenge his friends death at the hands of Noel, Marquis De Maynes (Mel Ferrer) Aline (Janet Leigh) falls for André even though she Noel has his eye on her for himself. This film has lots of swashbuckling action as well as romance and comedy. It is a real feel good film that you can watch on a rainy afternoon to lift your spirits. Stewart Granger is at his very best in this film and Mel Ferrer exceptional as the villain and it is one of Cinemas most memorable performances. The sword fight at the end is one of the best ever captured on film. I really love this film and it is in my top ten list of films I can watch again and again. The sword fight at the end is one of the best ever captured on film. Jimmy Grainger,lovely chap that he was,did not take many of his roles too seriously.Certainly in "Scaramouche"(more erudite pens than mine have gone to a lot of trouble in filling out the historical context) he had a lot of fun and even in his unhappy moments his sense of fun was never too far hidden. A nice line in striped tights did little to hide the fact that his legs were a bit muscular for a fencer,and Mr Mel Ferrer was much better equipped to wield the epee which he does with much aplomb. In the climactic swordfight(which was a devil of a long time coming,I must say)he comprehensively outplays Jimmy but contrives to lose;almost as though he was betting against himself. The French revolution is a fertile ground for film makers with good goodies and horrible baddies although I must say Miss Nina Foch made Marie Antoinette into a far more likable character than is usual. Thousands of innocents went to Madame La Guillotine in a bloodletting that is chilling to contemplate 220 - odd years later. But real life is never allowed to sneak into "Scaramouche",and it is all the better for it. All the same,if I was Mr Mel Ferrer I would be asking to see the judges' cards…….
Georgosmo replied
293 weeks ago