Moviecut—Sir Walter Scott's Quentin Durward

source: Sir Walter Scott's Quentin Durward

Quentin Durward

This movie stinks! Although I have always liked Robert Taylor to some degree I do not find him believable in any period piece I have ever seen him in, including "Quo Vadis." He was a very handsome man and he did, at times, command your attention in some roles but I find his vocal inflections simply too American to be real. Taylor did come to stardom through the studio system and I have always thought they should have insisted he work with a dialect coach for these types of roles. Despite a cast that included Robert Morley, this film simply did not hit the mark. In my opinion the best movie I've ever seen him is was "Waterloo Bridge" where he co-stars with Vivien Leigh.

The Richard Thorpe 'Chivalry Trilogy' is hardly brilliant but highly watchable: Knights of the Round Table, Ivanhoe, and Quentin Durward. They sum up the lovely tales of (i) the height of Chivalry and Knighthood (Ivanhoe); (ii) its romantic-yet-tragic beginnings (Knights) and (iii) finally its bitter end (Durward, which is an underrated swashbuckler that climaxes with a sword-fight on bell ropes over a raging fire!)

This film was absolutely a step above awful. In fact, it was just terrible. Had we had a decent script, Joan Fontaine would have easily landed the Kay Kendall part. How fortunate for Joan. Kendall was way off her mark here. She was far better known for light comedy along with some singing and dancing. The plot here is absolutely ridiculous. An old uncle sends his nephew, Taylor, to view the woman of his dreams in 1465. You don't have to have a doctorate to realize what will occur. In the middle of all this nonsense, there is intrigue between factions in France and some character who hides in the woods to make mischief. No, it's not Robin Hood. Robert Morley is again King Louis, but this time with a different Roman numeral from his wonderful performance 17 years before in the memorable "Marie Antoinette" with Norma Shearer. That was a Louis and that was a film.

The fifth team-up of Robert Taylor and Richard Thorpe is a pretty good movie... I only have one complaint. Robert Taylor is supposed to be playing a Scot in France but he has a very American accent and even uses modern American slang. Couldn't he have at least spoken articulate, non-modern English, and maybe attempt a Scottish accent? Also odd is all of the English accents, surrounded with one or two people who use French or American accents. I don't care what accent they use, but they should have all settled on just one. Also, every time they say the name "Durward" it sounds like "Durwood" and I think of Agatha from Bewitched. Otherwise, the movie is slow-moving but saved by a good basic story and nice sets. 7 out of 10.

In swashbuckling 1465, poor iron-clan Robert Taylor (as Quentin Durward) of Scotland agrees to fetch a bride for his elderly uncle. Meanwhile, targeted rich young Kay Kendall (as Isabelle) of France says she doesn't want to get married, and runs away. When Mr. Taylor catches up with Ms. Kendall, the obvious happens. They don't catch on fast, though. This film is strengthened by the beautiful European locations, carefully produced in colorful CinemaScope. The supporting cast is nicely selected, with rascally Robert Morley (as Louis XI) most obviously in his element. And, George Cole (as Hayraddin) goes gypsy. Otherwise, it's a little long in the tooth. ***** Quentin Durward (11/23/55) Richard Thorpe ~ Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall, Robert Morley, George Cole