THE SCARLET COAT
US, 1955, 102 minutes, Colour.
Cornell Wilde, Michael Wilding, George Sanders, Anne Francis, Robert Douglas, John Mc Intyre, Rhys Williams, John Dehner, Paul Kavanagh, Bobby Driscoll.
Directed by John Sturges.
In the mid-1950s, MGM decided to follow the example of 20th Century Fox in making action adventures in Cinemascope: Moonfleet, The Kings Thief. The Scarlet Coat is another example.
The setting is 1771, five years after the Declaration of Independence and the leadership of George Washington. However, the battles between the Americans and the British continued, fighting in the fields as well as espionage. In the background of this film is the treachery of Benedict Arnold and his betrayal of the American forces to the British. He appears briefly and is played by Robert Douglas.
The main focus is on Cornell Wilde as John Boulton, a loyal American, skilled in fighting but also in infiltration undercover work. His commission is to infiltrate the British, appearing as a businessman. This puts him in contact with the British commander, John Andre, played with urbane charm by Michael Wilding. it also puts in contact with a British-sympathising doctor, played by George Sanders. Also in the picture is Anne Francis, who attracts John Andre, is suspicious of John Boulton but eventually falls in love and helps him.
Cornell Wilde is always a charming hero, sympathetic to everyone, able to cover his tracks and deliver information to the Americans who can then act on it. But he truly befriends John Andre and finds it difficult to hand him over to the authorities.
Andre is captured, tried and executed.
The film was directed by John Sturges who made a number of dramas at this time but came to prominence with Bad Day at Black Rock. He moved into bigger budget action films like The Gunfight at The OK Corral, The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape and The Eagle Has Landed.
1. An MGM historical spectacle of the 1950s? The War of Independence? Audience knowledge and interest?
2. Re-creation of the period, costumes, decor, sets, design? The musical score?
3. The title, the British and their coats? The war of independence, American versus British? The declaration of Independence? George Washington? The years following the Declaration, the fighting, the absence of peace?
4. The heroics, the fights, individuals, squads? Undercover work, infiltration, spying devices, pretences and deep cover? Survival? Skills and the need to be clever?
5. John Boulton, hero, his activity, lone action, relationship with the military? The issue of Benedict Arnold? The spy and his code name? Adventures, being caught, the hotel, the encounter with Sally? Hostility? His sense of mission? Suspicions and his facade?
6. The military authorities, the commander, the role of Benedict Arnold, with the troops, the risks, the need for communication? Young Ben at the hotel, his eagerness to serve, friendship with John Boulton, his involvement?
7. The doctor, his ideology, his friendship with John Andre, with Sally? His waiting rooms? His involvement, suspicions of O’ Dell, Boulton, communicating with them? The doctor proven wrong? Right?
8. John Andre, his role in the command, a gentleman, his love for Sally, espionage? The advice of Dr O’ Dell? His having to trust?
9. Infiltration by Boulton, his cover, his name, his story? Friendship with Andre? The encounters with Sally, the attraction, the revelation of the truth? His being present at crucial moments, the information, his business, sending the information back?
10. Ben, work at the hotel, and helping, becoming involved, his contribution?
11. The attacks, the sieges, the home of the sympathiser, fire? The troops? Realising the truth? Information about Arnold?
12. Going into action, Andre and distrust, his being taken? In prison, condemnation, the discussions with Boulton, the mutual? His execution?
13. American history and the War of Independence?
