My love for adventure/swashbuckler films was the main attraction in seeing 'The Black Shield of Falworth', and there are many ones out there. As well as seeing Tony Curtis in an early role and having Janet Leigh, Torin Thatcher and David Farrar in the cast, it was an opportunity too hard to pass up and it turned out to be a worthwhile opportunity.
'The Black Shield of Falworth' may not be an amazing or great film and there may be better adventure/swashbuckler films out there. It is however so much fun and it is very hard to be too hard on such a good-natured film that knows what it wants to be, who its target audience is and doesn't try to be any more than necessary. It is not a film to be taken seriously, this was something learnt from watching other early films of Curtis, and 'The Black Shield of Falworth' does very well in that respect without treating the audience/viewer like idiots or getting too silly.
Sure 'The Black Shield of Falworth' is predictable in how it's structured, what happens and the outcomes. Sure people looking for authenticity will be disappointed, with many anachronisms to be found. Sure it can get a little too campy.
Curtis may have some awkward moments and his accent jarring with the period somewhat.
However, 'The Black Shield of Falworth' looks great. Very colourful, handsomely designed and lovely use of early CinemaScope. The music is suitably peppy and fits well, while the film is ably directed and contains some truly exciting action (namely in the climactic moments). Curtis is an athletic and also dashing and likeable hero, and he is supported well by suave Herbert Marshall and radiant Janet Leigh and Barbara Rush. Torin Thatcher, enjoying himself a lot, and a suitably dastardly David Farrar steal the film though. The chemistry between the cast is great and it was clear that they were having fun and with knowledge what tone to take.
Regardless of what one's thoughts on the script is, the script doesn't sparkle and doesn't get too wordy that it bogs down the pace and action, of which it does neither. The pace is lively throughout and the story is told with constant energy and charm with the right amount of tension when necessary.
In conclusion, a lot of fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox
'The Black Shield of Falworth' may not be an amazing or great film and there may be better adventure/swashbuckler films out there. It is however so much fun and it is very hard to be too hard on such a good-natured film that knows what it wants to be, who its target audience is and doesn't try to be any more than necessary. It is not a film to be taken seriously, this was something learnt from watching other early films of Curtis, and 'The Black Shield of Falworth' does very well in that respect without treating the audience/viewer like idiots or getting too silly.
Sure 'The Black Shield of Falworth' is predictable in how it's structured, what happens and the outcomes. Sure people looking for authenticity will be disappointed, with many anachronisms to be found. Sure it can get a little too campy.
Curtis may have some awkward moments and his accent jarring with the period somewhat.
However, 'The Black Shield of Falworth' looks great. Very colourful, handsomely designed and lovely use of early CinemaScope. The music is suitably peppy and fits well, while the film is ably directed and contains some truly exciting action (namely in the climactic moments). Curtis is an athletic and also dashing and likeable hero, and he is supported well by suave Herbert Marshall and radiant Janet Leigh and Barbara Rush. Torin Thatcher, enjoying himself a lot, and a suitably dastardly David Farrar steal the film though. The chemistry between the cast is great and it was clear that they were having fun and with knowledge what tone to take.
Regardless of what one's thoughts on the script is, the script doesn't sparkle and doesn't get too wordy that it bogs down the pace and action, of which it does neither. The pace is lively throughout and the story is told with constant energy and charm with the right amount of tension when necessary.
In conclusion, a lot of fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox