Copyright 2 April 1954 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 6 April 1954. U.S. release: April 1954. U.K. release: 27 May 1954. Australian release: 2 September 1954. Sydney opening at the Plaza. 9,020 feet. 100 minutes.
COMMENT: Although it doesn't go anywhere near matching the appealingly diverse characters, the intriguing plots or the vivid background detail of Harold Foster's popular and deservedly famous Sunday newspaper comic strip, "Prince Valiant", the movie, is actually rather fun.
Fortunately, it doesn't really matter whether you laugh at this movie or with it, the whole energetic yet juvenile quality of the movie's luscious three million dollars production (a really huge sum back in 1954) spreads itself right across the vast CinemaScope screen.
Aside from the somewhat inadequate, if appropriately boyish Robert Wagner in the title role of the valiant prince, plus the casting of a decidedly incongruous Sterling Hayden as Sir Gawain, there's a great cast, led by James Mason, really in his element here as the villainous Sir Brack.
COMMENT: Although it doesn't go anywhere near matching the appealingly diverse characters, the intriguing plots or the vivid background detail of Harold Foster's popular and deservedly famous Sunday newspaper comic strip, "Prince Valiant", the movie, is actually rather fun.
Fortunately, it doesn't really matter whether you laugh at this movie or with it, the whole energetic yet juvenile quality of the movie's luscious three million dollars production (a really huge sum back in 1954) spreads itself right across the vast CinemaScope screen.
Aside from the somewhat inadequate, if appropriately boyish Robert Wagner in the title role of the valiant prince, plus the casting of a decidedly incongruous Sterling Hayden as Sir Gawain, there's a great cast, led by James Mason, really in his element here as the villainous Sir Brack.