SCARAMOUCHE
($20) is a great swashbuckling movie that offers, what is undoubtedly, the
finest (and longest) single sword fighting sequence ever committed to
celluloid. The climax of SCARAMOUCHE is a triumph swordplay,
choreography, camera work, costumes, settings and Technicolor pageantry- a
combination has never been equaled by any other film in the genre. Sure,
there have been bloodier swordfights in the cinema, but nothing to rival
this Hollywood classic for sheer style. Another thing that makes the
climatic clash in SCARAMOUCHE so impressive is the fact that the
film’s opponents, Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer, perform the intricate
swordplay and stunts themselves- without cutaways to obvious fighting
doubles.
Adapted
from the novel by Rafael Sabatini, SCARAMOUCHE tells the story of
Andre Moreau (Granger), the bastard son to a French nobleman, who lives a
comfortable life in pursuit of idle pleasures, in the years leading up to
the French Revolution. However, Andre finds his life irrevocably altered,
when it is discovered that his best friend Philippe (Richard Anderson) is
the infamous author Marcus Brutus, whose writings have helped to spread
the seeds of rebellion amongst the peasantry. As circumstances play out,
Andre is forced to watch Philippe die upon the sword of the Queen’s
cousin, the Marquis de Maynes (Ferrer), and then finds himself a hunted
fugitive of the crown for his association with Marcus Brutus.
Although
Andre goes into hiding as a player in a theatrical troupe, he swears
revenge upon the Marquis de Maynes, and sets out to learn the sword from
the greatest masters in France. While amongst the theater troupe, Andre
also gains a level of fame as a masked clown called Scaramouche, in
addition to his romantic pursuit of an actress named Lenore (Eleanor
Parker). Andre also finds himself in a dangerous relationship with a
beautiful young noblewoman named Aline (Janet Leigh), who is the ward (and
later the fiancée) of his sworn enemy- the Marquis de Maynes. The fine
cast of SCARAMOUCHE also features Henry Wilcoxon, Nina Foch, Rbert
Coote, John Dehner and Lewis Stone, who portray the villain in the 1923
film version of the Sabatini novel.
Warner
Home Video has made SCARAMOUCHE available on DVD in a wonderful
looking transfer that frames the film in its proper 1.37:1 full screen
aspect ratio. This presentation really captures the flavor of an IB
Technicolor print, offering the viewer a world of vibrant hues that are a
true feast for the eyes. Crimson reds, bright blues and greens are a
genuine visual treat, as well as being reproduced without noise or
smearing. The image itself proves to be quite sharp and very nicely
detailed, allowing one to appreciate the intricacies of the film’s sets
and costumes. Blacks appear highly accurate, as do the crisp, stable
whites. Contrast is generally excellent, which also helps bring out the
sheen of the film’s Technicolor hues. The film element used for the
transfer displays relatively minor blemishes- looking nothing like a movie
that is more than a half a century old. Additionally, a grain structure
can be gleamed on occasion, although usually in sequences that were shot
outdoors. Digital compression artifacts remain well concealed throughout.
SCARAMOUCHE
comes with a fine sounding Dolby Digital monaural soundtrack that doesn’t
betray any excessive signs of age. As expected, the track has been spruced
up digitally to remove background hiss and surface noise. Fidelity is
limited by age, however Victor Young’s delightful score is worth
amplifying and remains very pleasant sounding at typical volume levels.
Dialogue is fairly crisp and always completely understandable. A French
monaural soundtrack is also encoded onto the DVD, as are English, French
and Spanish subtitles. The basic interactive menus provide access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a few extras.
Actor Mel Ferrer is on hand for a seven minute Retrospective
program in which he offers up his remembrances on the production of SCARAMOUCHE.
Other extras include an MGM Animated Commercial for the
film, as well as an essay on screen sword fights, theatrical trailer and
cast & crew listing.
SCARAMOUCHE
is a personal favorite, in addition to being a classic swashbuckler that
features the cinema’s finest single swordfight. If swordplay isn’t
your cup of tea, SCARAMOUCHE also offers comedy, drama, romance,
old time Hollywood star power and glorious Technicolor. Warner really has
done a wonderful job with the DVD, offering fans a truly beautiful
presentation. If you are a movie buff, enjoy old style adventure flicks,
or just like being thoroughly entertained, then SCARAMOUCHE is a
DVD you will want to add to you collection. Very highly recommended.
SCARAMOUCHE
($20) is a great swashbuckling movie that offers, what is undoubtedly, the
finest (and longest) single sword fighting sequence ever committed to
celluloid. The climax of SCARAMOUCHE is a triumph swordplay,
choreography, camera work, costumes, settings and Technicolor pageantry- a
combination has never been equaled by any other film in the genre. Sure,
there have been bloodier swordfights in the cinema, but nothing to rival
this Hollywood classic for sheer style. Another thing that makes the
climatic clash in SCARAMOUCHE so impressive is the fact that the
film’s opponents, Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer, perform the intricate
swordplay and stunts themselves- without cutaways to obvious fighting
doubles.
Adapted
from the novel by Rafael Sabatini, SCARAMOUCHE tells the story of
Andre Moreau (Granger), the bastard son to a French nobleman, who lives a
comfortable life in pursuit of idle pleasures, in the years leading up to
the French Revolution. However, Andre finds his life irrevocably altered,
when it is discovered that his best friend Philippe (Richard Anderson) is
the infamous author Marcus Brutus, whose writings have helped to spread
the seeds of rebellion amongst the peasantry. As circumstances play out,
Andre is forced to watch Philippe die upon the sword of the Queen’s
cousin, the Marquis de Maynes (Ferrer), and then finds himself a hunted
fugitive of the crown for his association with Marcus Brutus.
Although
Andre goes into hiding as a player in a theatrical troupe, he swears
revenge upon the Marquis de Maynes, and sets out to learn the sword from
the greatest masters in France. While amongst the theater troupe, Andre
also gains a level of fame as a masked clown called Scaramouche, in
addition to his romantic pursuit of an actress named Lenore (Eleanor
Parker). Andre also finds himself in a dangerous relationship with a
beautiful young noblewoman named Aline (Janet Leigh), who is the ward (and
later the fiancée) of his sworn enemy- the Marquis de Maynes. The fine
cast of SCARAMOUCHE also features Henry Wilcoxon, Nina Foch, Rbert
Coote, John Dehner and Lewis Stone, who portray the villain in the 1923
film version of the Sabatini novel.
Warner
Home Video has made SCARAMOUCHE available on DVD in a wonderful
looking transfer that frames the film in its proper 1.37:1 full screen
aspect ratio. This presentation really captures the flavor of an IB
Technicolor print, offering the viewer a world of vibrant hues that are a
true feast for the eyes. Crimson reds, bright blues and greens are a
genuine visual treat, as well as being reproduced without noise or
smearing. The image itself proves to be quite sharp and very nicely
detailed, allowing one to appreciate the intricacies of the film’s sets
and costumes. Blacks appear highly accurate, as do the crisp, stable
whites. Contrast is generally excellent, which also helps bring out the
sheen of the film’s Technicolor hues. The film element used for the
transfer displays relatively minor blemishes- looking nothing like a movie
that is more than a half a century old. Additionally, a grain structure
can be gleamed on occasion, although usually in sequences that were shot
outdoors. Digital compression artifacts remain well concealed throughout.
SCARAMOUCHE
comes with a fine sounding Dolby Digital monaural soundtrack that doesn’t
betray any excessive signs of age. As expected, the track has been spruced
up digitally to remove background hiss and surface noise. Fidelity is
limited by age, however Victor Young’s delightful score is worth
amplifying and remains very pleasant sounding at typical volume levels.
Dialogue is fairly crisp and always completely understandable. A French
monaural soundtrack is also encoded onto the DVD, as are English, French
and Spanish subtitles. The basic interactive menus provide access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a few extras.
Actor Mel Ferrer is on hand for a seven minute Retrospective
program in which he offers up his remembrances on the production of SCARAMOUCHE.
Other extras include an MGM Animated Commercial for the
film, as well as an essay on screen sword fights, theatrical trailer and
cast & crew listing.
SCARAMOUCHE
is a personal favorite, in addition to being a classic swashbuckler that
features the cinema’s finest single swordfight. If swordplay isn’t
your cup of tea, SCARAMOUCHE also offers comedy, drama, romance,
old time Hollywood star power and glorious Technicolor. Warner really has
done a wonderful job with the DVD, offering fans a truly beautiful
presentation. If you are a movie buff, enjoy old style adventure flicks,
or just like being thoroughly entertained, then SCARAMOUCHE is a
DVD you will want to add to you collection. Very highly recommended.