What a wonderful swashbuckling adventure movie!! It stacks up well with the best of them--Captain Blood, The Mark of Zorro, Adventures of Robinhood and The Sea Hawk. Like 3 of the previously mentioned films (all but Zorro), this movie is loosely based on a Raphael Sabatini novel by the same name. And, like the others, the plot diverges from the book in many key points. I actually recommend that if you really like the films, you should also try to track down the novels as well (if you can find them--they have been out of print for MANY years).
Granger's character, Andre Moreau, sees his friend murdered in a sword fight with the incredibly detestable Marquis, played to the hilt by Mel Ferrer. Although Granger would LOVE to kill Ferrer, he is in no way his equal with the sword, so he hides in a traveling acting company and dons the mask of the character "Scaramouche" to hide his real identity (and save his tush).
Time passes, during with Granger has a lot of time for romance and to hone his skills with the sword. Eventually, he and Ferrer meet again and their showdown in the theater is reportedly the longest sword fighting sequence in Hollywood history! It's an incredible sight to behold!
FYI--the end (the REAL identity of Granger's character) is VERY different in the original book. Also, there was an excellent silent version of this film which starred Ramon Novarro--though it doesn't come close to this 1952 version, which is so perfect in every way.
Granger's character, Andre Moreau, sees his friend murdered in a sword fight with the incredibly detestable Marquis, played to the hilt by Mel Ferrer. Although Granger would LOVE to kill Ferrer, he is in no way his equal with the sword, so he hides in a traveling acting company and dons the mask of the character "Scaramouche" to hide his real identity (and save his tush).
Time passes, during with Granger has a lot of time for romance and to hone his skills with the sword. Eventually, he and Ferrer meet again and their showdown in the theater is reportedly the longest sword fighting sequence in Hollywood history! It's an incredible sight to behold!
FYI--the end (the REAL identity of Granger's character) is VERY different in the original book. Also, there was an excellent silent version of this film which starred Ramon Novarro--though it doesn't come close to this 1952 version, which is so perfect in every way.