THE SWORD AND THE ROSE

UK, 1952, 91 Minutes, Colour.
Richard Todd, Glynnis Johns, James Robertson Justice.
Directed by Ken Annakin.

The Sword and the Rose is entertaining Disney historical material of the early 50s. There had been a film with Richard Todd of the Robin Hood legend and he and Glynnis Johns were to star in a version of Scott's Rob Roy. The film is based on the novel 'When Knighthood was in Flower' and shows the story of Charles Brampton, to become the Duke of Suffolk, and his love for Mary Tudor. Richard Todd and Glynnis Johns are quite engaging in these central roles. However, James Robertson Justice makes a huge impression as Henry VIII and especially in his machinations to marry Mary to the King of France. Michael Gough is the sinister Duke of Buckingham and the villain.

Attractively photographed and costumed, the film does not stay close to historical fact but gives a flavour for introduction to Elizabethan times for a family audience. The film was directed by Ken Annakin who had directed some minor British features, who was then to move into major films in the 60s and directed Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines amongst other action films and comedies.

1. An entertaining costume adventure? The appeal of the Tudor period, the personality of Henry VIII? For what audience were they presented here?

2. The film was a Disney production although set and filmed in England, How much contribution of British film-making and style was there? How much the Disney and American treatment? A satisfying co-production?

3. The symbols in the title and their reference? The original story was 'When Knighthood was in Flower'. The significance of these titles? The stars and their attractiveness? Richard Todd and his heroic style, Glynnis Johns and her humorous heroine as Mary Tudor? James Robertson Justice's style as Henry VIII and audience expectation of his bluff and bluster?

5. The picture of Henry VIII's court, the world of chivalry and elegance, international intrigue, planned marriages and treaties, war, sport and wrestling, the court and dancing and parties, the whims of monarchs influencing behaviour and policies?

6. The portrait of Henry VIII himself, his character and his bluff and heartiness, at the time of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon (and her being presented as a severe and dour person?), Henry's relationship with Mary and their mutual stubbornness, his relying on the Duke of Buckingham, his initial hostility towards Charles Brandon and his final favour with him, the intrigues with France and the planned marriages, the using of Mary? How enjoyable a presentation of Henry VIII - at least as a partial picture?

7. The contrast of the English court with the French court? Louis the 12th and his sinister, lecherous attitude towards Mary? The irony of the banquet, Mary's treatment of him, their riding together, his death? The sinister overtures of the Dauphin and the negotiations for Mary's marriage?

8. How well portrayed was Mary herself - strong character, woman at court, her place in the court, her pride, the initial fascination with Charles and his offhandedness towards her, her love for him? The wrestling sequence, the dancing sequence and her exhilaration? The quality of her love? Her hiding from the King - and the humorous pretending to be taking a bath? Her escape, the strategy in being disguised as a page-boy, her being caught, sacrificing herself for Charles? The effect of her time in France? Her yearning for Charles and accepting Buckingham's offer to escape from France? Her disillusionment with Buckingham? The heroics and her re-uniting with Charles? An attractive heroine for this kind of adventure?

9. How heroic was Charles Brandon for this kind of adventure film? A Tudor gentleman, his wrestling, his diplomatic background, the dance and its seeming daring and Catherine of Aragon's response? The offhandedness with Mary and yet his love? A man of honour? His sailing to America at the King's behest, his experience of prison on Mary's behalf? His being betrayed by the Duke of Buckingham and the clash with him? The happiness of his being reunited with Mary? His astute strategy for Henry's keeping the French gold?

10. Buckingham as villain and the nature of his villainy - attraction towards Mary, his false promises, his imprisonment of Brandon, the strategy of his escape and attempted murder? The build-up to the final fight and Buckingham's death?

11. Audience response and attraction to costume melodrama. the presentation of the past.. the comparison of the present age with the past? The rights and wrongs of differing ages in such comparisons? The old traditions, heroism. adventure and romance?