The Sword and the Rose *** (1953, Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, James Robertson Justice, Michael Gough) – Classic Movie Review 10,987

Director Ken Annakin’s brisk, plush and colourful 1953 Tudor children’s adventure The Sword and the Rose stars Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, James Robertson Justice and Michael Gough.

Walt Disney filmed this lively and engaging historical romance in the same year as Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue with the same four stars. The Sword and the Rose was released in the US 23 July 1953 and then Rob Roy had its Royal Command Film Performance in London on 26 October 1953.

Johns plays the princess Mary Tudor, who escapes from France to England where she hopes to be reunited with her true love, commoner Charles Brandon (Todd), much to the annoyance of the rotten Duke of Buckingham (Gough).

The two young players are captivating, and Justice has fun with his over-the-top rendition of King Henry VIII, Mary Tudor’s brother, who could stand in the way of their love.

The Sword and the Rose is an entertaining romp, expertly aimed at a youthful audience, filmed entirely in Britain. It is written for the screen by Lawrence Edward Watkin, based on the 1898 novel When Knighthood Was in Flower by Charles Major, and shot in Technicolor by Geoffrey Unsworth.

The film was shot between July and November 1952 at Denham Film Studios (Pinewood Studios), Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, and at Wilton Park, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, and was the third of Disney’s British productions after Treasure Island (1950) and The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). It was broadcast in 1956 on American TV in two parts using the book title, Disneyland: When Knighthood Was in Flower.

The first film of Patrick Cargill (as French Diplomat).

Also in the cast are Jane Barrett, Rosalie Crutchley, Peter Copley, D A Clarke-Smith, Ernest Jay, John Vere, Philip Lennard, Bryan Coleman, Phillip Glasier, Jean Mercure as King Louis XII, Gérard Oury as Dauphin of France, Fernand Fabre, Robert Le Béal, Gaston Richer, Helen Goss, Patrick Cargill, Anthony Sharp, Hal Osmond, Ewen Solon and Russell Waters.

The Sword and the Rose is directed by Ken Annakin, runs 92 minutes, is made by Walt Disney Productions, is released by Radio Pictures (1953), is written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, based on the novel When Knighthood Was in Flower by Charles Major, is shot in Technicolor by Geoffrey Unsworth, is produced by Perce Pearce, is scored by Clifton Parker and is designed by Carmen Dillon, with Costume Design by Valles.

The 1898 novel was filmed in the silent era in 1908 and again in 1922 as When Knighthood Was in Flower.

 © Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,987

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