Scaramouche

Plot synopsis:
In France just prior to the French Revolution, Queen Marie Antoinette (Nina Foch) asks her cousin Noel, the Marquis de Maynes (Mel Ferrer), to uncover the identity of "Marcus Brutus", a dangerous pamphleteer rousing hatred of the aristocracy.
Meanwhile, André Moreau (Stewart Granger), a nobleman's bastard, kidnaps his beloved Lenore (Eleanor Parker) to keep her from marrying another man. Afterwards, Moreau learns that his father is the Count de Gavrillac. While traveling to meet his parent, Moreau runs into Aline de Gavrillac (Janet Leigh), the Queen's ward, when her carriage breaks down the road. They are strongly attracted to each other, but Moreau's ardor suddenly cools when he learns that she is his half-sister. He hides that information from her.
By chance, de Maynes encounters Marcus Brutus, who turns out to be Moreau's best friend, Philippe de Valmorin (Richard Anderson). A master swordsman, de Maynes provokes de Valmorin into a duel, then toys with his inexperienced opponent before finally dispatching him. Enraged, Moreau attacks, but does no better than his dead friend. After de Maynes easily disarms him several times, Moreau chooses discretion over valor and flees for his life, vowing to kill de Maynes the same way he slew de Valmorin:
"You're going to die as he died, by the sword. You'll be driven back step by step, until you stand helpless as he did. Then I, Andre Moreau, will kill you as you killed him. I swear it, Philippe. By all that I hold sacred, I swear you this man's death!"
Chased by de Maynes's henchmen led by the Chevalier de Chabrillaine (Henry Wilcoxon), Moreau hides out in the commedia dell'arte troupe in which Lenore performs. Forced to disguise himself as the character Scaramouche, he discovers a hidden talent for acting. Burning for revenge, Moreau seeks out de Maynes' personal fencing instructor, Doutreval (John Dehner), and trains diligently in secret for weeks, while also performing with the troupe. However, de Maynes interrupts one such training session and they fight for a second time. Moreau is still overmatched. He is saved only when Aline and Doutreval unexpectedly intervene, allowing Moreau to escape.
Moreau decides that, to surpass de Maynes, he needs to learn from Doutreval's teacher, Perigore (Richard Hale), so he takes the troupe to Paris. There, Dr. Dubuque (John Litel), a deputy of the new National Assembly, seeks his help. The aristocrats in the assembly are systematically killing off the deputies representing the common people by provoking them into duels. Moreau is not interested, until Dubuque mentions that de Maynes is one of the duelists. Then he eagerly accepts the seat of a deceased deputy. Each day, he shows up at the assembly to challenge de Maynes, only to find his enemy absent on trivial but official duties, arranged by Aline and Lenore working together to protect the man they both love. However, other nobles in the National Assembly are eager to fight the newcomer, challenging him on a daily basis. Moreau wins each duel, gaining valuable experience with the sword in the process.
In the meantime, de Maynes becomes engaged to Aline. Overhearing de Maynes' intention to confront Moreau that night, Aline persuades him to take her out instead. At the suggestion of de Chabrillaine (who had been lucky to survive his duel with Moreau), they attend a performance of the De Binet Troupe. At last, Andre has his opportunity for revenge. The two men engage in a spectacular, prolonged duel (reputedly the longest in screen history at about seven minutes) that ranges throughout the theater, from the balcony boxes, to the lobby, through the main seats, onto the stage, into the backstage area, and finally back on the stage itself. At the end, Moreau has de Maynes at his mercy, backed against the proscenium arch, defeated, helpless as Philippe de Valmorin had been; but something he cannot explain stays his hand. Moreau stabs his sword into the stage and stalks off, leaving de Maynes bloodied but alive.
Later, Moreau learns from Philippe's father (Lewis Stone) that his father was not the Count de Gavrillac, but rather the old Marquis de Maynes, the Count de Gavrillac's friend; Noel de Maynes, the man he could not kill, is his half-brother. He then realizes that he is not related to Aline after all, so they can be married. Lenore, after giving him her blessing, consoles herself with a certain Corsican officer.

Tags: revenge, action, murder

Review:
An 18th century nobleman (Stewart Granger) avenging the death of a friend sets in motion the action-filled plot of this Rafael Sabatini tale filmed in gorgeous technicolor and done in rollicking tongue-in-cheek style by an able cast.
Eleanor Parker and Janet Leigh both look beautiful as the women in love with Granger's character, who, to hide his true identity must wear the mask of an actor called Scaramouche.
It's all done in high style with some beautifully filmed sets and costumes that are breathtaking in color.Not for a moment can the improbable plot bear close scrutiny--nor is it intended to judging from the over-the-top performance of Stewart Granger in the kind of role that brought stardom to actors like Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power.
Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer are dueling opponents throughout, including the final seven minute duel that takes place in a crowded theater where the astonished audience is treated to one of the most skillful duels ever filmed.The finale would have been even more impressive if the film hadn't already offered a number of extensive dueling scenes.
A breathtaking display of sword-fighting at its best, excellent acting from all the main characters, brilliant direction, superb over-the-top script and dialogue, first-class photography.The final duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer is the longest in screen history.
This is not just a sword fight, though: it's a display both of acrobatics and of the characters' personalities, with Granger's character exhibiting courage and magnanimity; Ferrer's is less generous but equally brave.The drama is punctuated by scenes of low humour (at the clowns' theatre) and high irony (in the National Assembly).Both of the female leads - Janet Leigh and Eleanor Parker - are stunningly beautiful.
The story goes that the day my twin brother and I were taken home from hospital after our birth, Scaramouche was the evening film on the BBC and we were given our baths completely oblivious to the movie gem we were being treated to on our first night in our new home.I personally do not remember this but I have been reliably informed that this is so.Over the years however, I have acquired a great passion for the films of the golden age and Scaramouche, although not the best of films, is definitely a classic.Stewart Granger plays Andre Moroe a free spirit, who's life has amounted to nothing more than his constant pursuit of fun and wealthy ladies in 17th Century France.
It also contains one of the best uses of the English Language I have ever seen on film....or maybe I'm just easily pleased.'if i can no longer be taught by the man who taught my enemy, then what is more fitting in a mad world,than to be taught by the man who taught the man who taught my enemy' Catchy eh?However all this time Moroe is evading the villain's men by hiding out in a circus of sorts where he has adopted the role of the masked Scaramouche.....the clown.It is at one of his performances where Moroe comes face to face with his friends killer and in true Hollywood fashion, they duel in and out of the shocked spectators hanging over perilous ledges and high theatre balconies and of course up and down grand staircases.Mel Ferrer is wonderful as the evil Demain and gives his role an almost Bond villain presence with his charm ans sophistication, and for love interest we have both Eleanor Parker and Janet Leigh (before she started taking showers) Yet for once Hollywood decided to put romance on the back burner and these two beauties, although great in the roles, have nothing more to do than parade around in cleavage inducing bodices, although that's fine with me.
If this film is your cup of tea or not, it's worth watching for that alone.There are other aspects of the plot which I need not go into here except that they amount to the "he was my father which makes you my sister" scenario and when the unknown brother is revealed, you will be forgiven in thinking you had tuned into a period edition of EastEnders but despite all this is definitely worth the watch.Incidentally the final sword fight was the longest sword fight in movie history until Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones fenced their way into the record books in The Mask of Zorro.
A third way is to build the main plot around a few well-choreographed action scenes -- and in this respect the movie is superb."Scaramouche" reminds one of Errol Flynn at his best, in "The Adventures of Robin Hood." Instead of Saxons and Normans, we have aristocrats and poor people.
For the second time is adapted in the greatest Hollywood splendor , the complete romance , the historical characters, the full novel just as Rafael Sabatini write it ; it stars Stewart Granger as the rake young who turns revenger when his best friend is killed and he , subsequently , becomes the role Scaramouche and finally faces off his deadly enemy , featuring a top-notch seven-and-a-half minute sword battle .
The film is well set in the days of the French revolution and it starts with the youngster Andre Moreau (Stewart Granger , this is one of Granger's best movies at MGM) , a bastard nobleman searching for his family .
Nice acting by Stewart Granger as Andre-Louis Moreau , a nobleman bastard become an actor in a Commedia troupe and vowing to avenge his friend ; being his nemesis , Mel Ferrer , as Noel De Maynes , a marquis in love with two women : the queen , Marie Antoinette , well played by Nina Foch , and the gorgeous aristocrat Janet Leigh .
I actually recommend that if you really like the films, you should also try to track down the novels as well (if you can find them--they have been out of print for MANY years).Granger's character, Andre Moreau, sees his friend murdered in a sword fight with the incredibly detestable Marquis, played to the hilt by Mel Ferrer.
Although Granger would LOVE to kill Ferrer, he is in no way his equal with the sword, so he hides in a traveling acting company and dons the mask of the character "Scaramouche" to hide his real identity (and save his tush).Time passes, during with Granger has a lot of time for romance and to hone his skills with the sword.
I had never heard of this film before but the line up of stars, Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Mel Ferrer and Janet Leigh, and the description intrigued me.
Directed by George Sidney (Anchors Aweigh/Kiss Me Kate), it stars Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer and John Dehner.
the middle section of the piece involves escape, disguise, and practice, leading to the time when he can avenge his brother.Andre takes up with an old girl friend in a commedia dell'arte troupe, wearing the mask of the buffoon "Scaramouche", and training with first one swordmaster--de Maynes' teacher-- then old Perigore of Paris, the swordmaster's master.
In the very good cast, Eleanor Parker stands out as the actress who lets Andre join the troupe,; Janet Leigh is too young for a good part as the fiancée, and Mel Ferrer good at an understated de Maynes.
One of the finest swashbucklers of its time, Scaramouche pits the dashing rogue Stewart Granger against smarmy nobleman duelist Mel Ferrer.
The robust Stewart Granger is "Scaramouche" in this 1952 adaptation of the Sabatini novel, and it's a good example of the kind of film MGM excelled at - it's a fast-moving adventure in beautiful color, with great production values.Granger plays Andre Moreau, who watches a friend killed in a sword fight with the Marquis (Mel Ferrer).
Finally, he and the Marquis meet again, in a long, exciting, swordfight that takes place in a theater, the highlight of the film.Very exciting movie in spots, gorgeous to look at, with strong performances by the well-cast Granger, Mel Ferrer, and the beautiful Eleanor Parker.
This adaptation of Rafael de Sabattini's novel "Sacaramouche" set in the pre-French revolution days is certainly a great film.George Sidney handles the story of Andrè Moraeu -a bastard born who doesn't take life too seriously and has "...
Everything is alright here: great color and photo, good adequate music score, accurate settings and gowns, consistent dialogues and one of the best achieved sword duels in film's history.The cast is perfect too.
Nina Foch has the required class to play the Queen of France and Henry Wilcoxon is right too as de Maines's sidekick.I insist: this is perhaps the best cape and sword film ever.Trivia: I read in a review here that Scaramouche's final sword fight was the longest one in movies until the one between Banderas and Zeta Jones in "The Mask of Zorro".
Janet Leigh, (Aline De Gavrilae Due De Bourbon) is very young and beautiful in this picture and her charm captures Scaramouche immediately until he finds out some things about her that will effect how he really feels about her and who she will become in his lifeMel Ferrer, (Noel Marquis De Maynes) is a young man who loves to duel with men and kill everyone who encounters his great skills as a swordsman and does meet up with Andre Moreau/Scaramouche, and they both have a ten minute duel with each other in balcony's, a stage and over seats in a big theater.
The hero of this movie is Stewart Granger and it has a great cast that includes Janet Leigh, Eleanor Parker and Mel Ferrer.
And well, the story and the plot that makes it work, is hackneyed and predictable.The theatrical scenes are, however, good and there the color and costumes work as does the ever reliable Eleanor Parker whose character has a touch of humor but the irrepressible and optimistic Scaramouche is like Candide, just over stays his time..
I have no doubt that they had fun filming those.Stewart Granger gets top billing, but I feel compelled to talk about Eleanor Parker's and Janet Leigh's characters.
I won't go into details of the plot, largely because others have done so before me.I will say that I am a huge fan of movies made in Technicolor - they seem so much more vibrant than today's pictures - and this doesn't disappoint.It's a well shot film, with a star studded cast; 'eye candy' for both guys AND gals - in the forms of Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh and Stewart Granger.There's action a-plenty, a love story (of sorts) and humour.
Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer are all perfectly cast.A great movie is loved for its memorable "moments"—and Scaramouche is full of them: the "revelation scene," the Marquis pinned to the wall, André and Leonore's poignant farewell, etc.The film owes much of its success to the superb score by Victor Young.
Good action scenes but quite dull at times too.Set in 18th century France, the story of a man (played by Stewart Granger) who sets out to avenge the death of his friend at the hands of a master swordsman (played by Mel Ferrer).Set up is long and tedious.
The movie only really gets interesting towards the end, once Andre Morou ends up in government.From then it is quite interesting, with some good intrigue, humour and action scenes.Overall though, so-so.Good performance by Stewart Granger in the lead role.
André Moreau (Stewart Granger) Sets out to revenge his friends death at the hands of Noel, Marquis De Maynes (Mel Ferrer) Aline (Janet Leigh) falls for André even though she Noel has his eye on her for himself.
Stewart Granger is at his very best in this film and Mel Ferrer exceptional as the villain and it is one of Cinemas most memorable performances.
He finds a major foe in swordsman Mel Ferrer (as the Marquis de Maynes) and romances two beautifully figured women...Red-haired Eleanor Parker (as Lenore) and white-tressed Janet Leigh (as Aline) are well-costumed, as is this swashbuckler from MGM.
This production's greatest strengths are the colorful art/set direction and a nicely choreographed sword duel between Granger and Mr. Ferrer.****** Scaramouche (5/8/52) George Sidney ~ Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer.
Although there is a silent film version of the novel, it is the 1952 version with Stewart Granger, Mel Ferrer, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, and Nina Foch that people remember.
But the change of the relationship is actually more acceptable for the film plot - it makes the dueling somehow more acceptable if the antagonists are contemporaries.SCARAMOUCHE is probably the best fencing movie ever made.
While he waves to her, we see Parker (the loser in this triangle with Granger and Leigh) being shown in her room with her latest boyfriend - and a glimpse into the Revolution's future path.Frequently (on this board) SCARAMOUCHE is compared to Erroll Flynn's movies.Flynn's first film in Hollywood was another great swashbuckler, CAPTAIN BLOOD.
The quality of content seems to suffer, inventive slapstick replaced by elaborate choreography, but when Scaramouche on stage challenges Noel in his box, the theatre world spills into real life, the working class into the aristocracy, foreshadowing the  Revolution itself.This script brilliance should not take away from the sheer fun of 'Scaramouche', the energetic action scenes, where the hero is not required to be superhumanly invincible; the game acting, where modest talents - Granger and Ferrer - surpass themselves - and great talents - Eleanor Parker - have a ball; the splendid art direction, creating a period look that strikes the right balance between artifice and evocative detail; and a general tongue-in-cheek tone that sees the deadly serious sword-fights mockingly (and very suggestively) parodied in the pot-fight in the caravan between Moreau and Lenore..
Stewart Granger's cheerful cynicism and dashing good looks carry this film through the warmth and cinematic colour of pre-revolutionary France, Hollywood style (it took me years to work out that Marquis 'Domain', the character played by a brilliantly menacing Mel Ferrer, was the American pronunciation for 'de Mayne').
'Scaramouche' is rightly famous for the breathtaking sword fight at the end, but there is much else by way of humour and atmosphere throughout, not to mention a fine supporting cast: in addition to Ferrer, Eleanor Parker is beautiful and funny as Granger's feisty girlfriend, and a very young Janet Leigh is also good as the aristocrat who loves him.
Scaramouche is a reasonably average swashbuckling Technicolor extravaganza with great sword fights, but the story, the characters and the performances just didn't impress me as much as I had hoped.Set in France in the period leading up to the French Revolution we follow the story of André Moreau the bastard son of a nobleman.
If you love seeing dashing leading men running around in tight trousers,with sword fighting left right and centre then Scaramouche is right up your street.There are many scenes that wouldn't seem out of place in a silent comedy act and you actually don't need dialogue in many parts as everything is conveyed in the actors faces and actions.Credited with what is the longest on screen duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer this is a film filled with boundless energy,action and a mischievous spirit.This 1952 offering is a remake of the 1923 film of the same name.Set during the days of The French Revolution,Scaramouche follows the dashing playboy Andre Moreau(Stewart Granger)who is the illegitimate son of a wealthy nobleman.He is in love with the feisty and beautiful travelling player Lenore(Eleanor Parker)who tired of waiting for him to return to her agrees to marry a wealthy man who showers her with diamonds.On the day of her wedding Andre wins her back and she agrees to marry him instead.He ends up having to leave her when his best friend Phillipe De Valmorin(Richard Anderson)is suspected of writing material supporting the Revolution and writing under the name Marcus Brutus.The two go on the run and come up against the best fencer in all of France(who is also the cousin of Queen Marie Antoinette).The Marquis DeMaynes(Mel Ferrer)who after killing Phillipe makes an enemy in Andre who trains in the art of fencing to avenge the death of his friends.To escape the clutches of the Maquis Andre meets up with Lenore's travelling troupe and assumes the identity of masked comedian Scaramouche.It all leads to a breathtaking showdown in a Paris theatre that's a must for fans of sword fights.Try and see past the illogical and frankly daft plot holes that pop up along the way and just get lost in it's humour and fun.Featuring an enchanting performance from Janet Leigh as Aline De Gavrillac De Bourbon who may be Andre's half sister,who is also engaged to the Maquis.If your a fan of the dashing Stewart Granger and love adventure films filled with romance then this is one you should enjoy..
I enjoyed the fighting scenes immensely, especially the offense and defense that moved André Moreau (Stewart Granger)and Marquis De Maynes (Mel Ferrer) from every inch of the theater balcony, down the stairs, into the fully seated auditorium, to the rear props storage rooms, then onto the stage, to finish with a surprising end.I also discovered Jean Heremans, a European fencing champion, was hired by MGM in 1948 to supervise the swordfighting on The Three Musketeers.
However, if a strong voice arises from among the peoples' representatives, they are quickly eliminated through a gentleman's duel, most often initiated by the superior swordsmen that support the King and Queen (Nina Foch appears briefly as Marie Antoinette): Mel Ferrer plays the Marquis de Maynes, the best swordsman in France, and Henry Wilcoxon plays his right-hand man Chevalier de Chabrillaine."He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad" - Stewart Granger is perfect as Andre Moreau, a quick witted ladies' man with a mysterious parentage and no interest in politics.
Stewart Granger spends most of this 1952 film hiding in the character of Scaramouche, a fool playing on the comedy stage of pre- revolutionary France.