THE SWORDSMAN
US, 1948, 80 minutes, Colour.
Larry Parks, Ellen Drew, George Macready, Edgar Buchanan.
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis.
The Swordsman is an enjoyable piece of Hollywood historical hokum. Hollywood enjoys Scottish stories (echoes of Scott and Stevenson) with the clans fighting each other in the 18th. century.
Larry Parks is alive as the hero, Ellen Drew a charming if Americanised heroine. George Macready, as always, is the villain. Edgar Buchanan is there as the reliable friend.
The screenplay echoes most of the familiar themes of the life of the clans, their hostilities and stubbornness, their battles - with a touch of the Romeo and Juliet and the attempt to reconcile families.
The film was - directed by Joseph H. Lewis whose reputation has increased over the decades, especially with such small-budget films as My Name is Julia Ross, The Halliday Brand.
1. Enjoyable historical matinee material? The appeal of Scottish settings and stories?
2. The re-creation of Scotland, the mountains and the highlands, the 18th century castles and homes? The musical score?
3. The title and the focus on Alexander? As hero, reconciler, as swordsman?
4. The theme of the clash between the clans? The stubbornness, the lack of point of hostilities? The continuance through generations? The breaking of social interaction? Violence and battles? The need for reconciliation?
5. The focus on Alexander, his return, attraction to Barbara, concealing his identity? His father and Angus? His going to the fair, winning the competition? The clash with Robert and the other brothers? His being trapped, blaming Barbara? Imprisonment? The fair fight? Barbara and her plans for the exchange? His role as a mediator? His welcoming Robert
and the brothers? Their betrayal, the fights? Heroism? The happy ending with Barbara? Conventional matinee hero?
6. Barbara as the heroine, attraction to Alexander, being a woman of vitality, her interventions, helping Alexander, setting the trap for the brothers? Her warning about the betrayal? The happy ending?
7. Robert and the brothers as villains? Fomenting the hostility between the clans? Robert getting his own brothers murdered and their being, set up for hostilities? Going along with the reconciliation, the visit to the clan, the banquet, the attempt at betrayal? The confrontation with Alexander?
His sinister brothers, especially the murderer?
8. The heads of the clan, their continuing hostilities, the reconciliation? The various personnel in the castles?
9. The friends of Alexander, Angus and his support? The clergyman?
10. The basic themes of heroism and battles, betrayal, reconciliation? Life in Scotland in the 18th century? The touch of the Romeo and Juliet story with the reconciliation of families?
