THE GALLANT BLADE
US, 1948, 81 minutes, Colour.
Larry Parks, George Macready, Marguerite Chapman, Victor Jory.
Directed by Henry Levin.
The Gallant Blade is one of several swashbuckling films made by Columbia after World War II, including Lorna Doone, The Swordsman, The Bandit of Sherwood Forest, also directed by Henry Levin.
The setting is France in the middle of the 17th century – rather Americanised by the accents of the cast. It has a swordsman hero played by Larry Parks, loyal to the general who wanted to bring France to peace after the 30 Years War – an unlikely casting of George Macready in a sympathetic role rather than as a villain. The villain this time is Victor Jory, ambitious to get his troops to invade Spain and wanting the help of the sympathetic general who sees through him and refuses. Also in the background is Marguerite Chapman as a double agent who eventually sees through the wiles of the villain and is attracted, of course, to the hero.
Standard ingredients for this kind of small-budget costume drama, which moves at a swift pace and is quite enjoyable.
1. The popularity of this kind of action adventure? Costume drama?
2. How necessary for the audience to know anything about the 30 Years War or of the situation in France and Spain in the 17th-century?
3. Colour photography, settings, costumes, decor, a sense of period? Musical score?
4. After the war, the possibilities for peace in France, the sympathetic general and his wanting to maintain peace? The loyalty of his swordsman and presenting him with the Gallant Blade?
5. The devious general, his wanting the troops, trying to persuade the general, his deceptions, his ambitions to invade Spain? His allies? His hold over Nanon and her having to act as a double agent? The scenes of banquets and dancing and the underlying tensions?
6. The hero, personality, the verve, going into action, his skills as a swordsman, exercising them? his loyalty to the general? His going undercover, those helping him, the encounter with Nanon, attracted, her sharing in his adventures, his discovery of the truth?
7. Nanon, the general’s hold over her, acting as a spy, her deceptions? A society woman, yet the dark side? With the hero, discovering the truth, risking her life, helping with the overthrow of the general?
8. Intrigues, swordfights, betrayals, soldiers, loyalties, plans of war? Entertaining ingredients for this small film?
