Main Cast: Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, Michael Gough, Jane Barrett
Release Year: 1953
Country: UK/US
Run Time: 91 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
The second of Disney's British-produced "historicals" (the first was Robin Hood, the last was Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue), The Sword and the Rose eschews historical accuracy in favor of wall-to-wall adventure and eye-filling pageantry. The film takes place in the court of King Henry VIII (James Robertson Justice), whose sister Mary Tudor (Glynis Johns) has fallen in love with soldier of fortune Charles Brandon (Richard Todd). Mary appoints Brandon Captain of the Guards, which rests not at all well with her erstwhile suitor, the Duke of Buckingham (Michael Gough). Rather than foment court intrigue, Brandon decides to move on to America, only to end up in the Tower of London when Mary tags along with him, disguised as a boy. Mary is ordered by Henry to wed the aging King of France (Jean Mercure), who promptly dies, leaving the girl at the mercy of the evil Dauphin (Gerard Oury). When rescued by the Duke of Buckhingham, Mary is informed that Charles is dead, but in fact her true love still lives, as he proves beyond doubt in a climactic battle with the duplicitous Duke. Sword and the Rose was based on Charles Major's novel When Knighthood Was in Flower, previously filmed in 1923 with Marion Davies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Romance, chivalry, pageantry, skulduggery are all here in this lavish 1953 Walt Disney production about England's Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII. Filmed through the rose-colored lens of the Disney camera, the Sword and the Rose turns Princess Mary's life into a great adventure that's a jolly good show for the whole family, even if it occasionally ignores the facts of history. Glynnis Johns portrays Mary, a woman of charm and beauty who captures the heart of Charles Brandon, First Duke of Suffolk, played with gallantry and panache by Richard Todd. Johns and Todd have the right chemistry to concoct the kind of sweetly innocent love affair that enthralled audiences of an earlier film era. But they cannot run off and simply live happily ever after, for the redoubtable Henry (James Robertson Justice) forces Mary to wed the King of France. Lurking in the background is the villainous Duke of Buckingham (Michael Gough), who also has eyes for Mary. Luck, derring-do, and the death of the King of France combine to move the film toward its inevitable happy ending. With his stentorian voice and imperious manner, portly Justice makes a quite believable Henry, and Gough is despicably wonderful as the sinister Buckingham. The Sword and the Rose will not be remembered as an artistic film triumph, but as a purely escapist film that provides welcome relief from the rigors of reality. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
Peter Copley - Sir Edwin Caskoden; Rosalie Crutchley - Catherine of Aragorn; D.A. Clarke-Smith - Cardinal Wolsey; Ernest Jay - Lord Chamberlain; John Vere - Lawyer Clerk; Philip Glasier - Royal Falconer; Jean Mercure - Louis XII; Gérard Oury - Dauphin of France; Fernand Fabre - De Longueville; Robert Le Beal - Royal Physician; Gaston Richer - Antoine Duprat; Helen Goss - Princess Claude; Patrick Cargill - French Diplomat; Caven Watson - Capt. Bradhurst; Richard Molinas - Father Pierre; Norman Pierce - Innkeeper; Douglas Bradley-Smith - Squire; Ewen Solon - Guardsman; Paddy Ryan - Bargeman; Arthur Brander - 1st Mate; Russell Waters - Sailor; John Serret - French Squire; Bob Simmons - French Champion; Brian Coleman - Earl of Surrey; James Robertson Justice - Henry VIII; Hal Ormond - Costermonger; Anthony Sharp - French Diplomat; Rupert Holliday Evans
Credit
Carmen Dillon - Art Director, Sigurdur Sverrir Palsson - Choreography, Arlington F. Valles - Costume Designer, Irene Valles - Costume Designer, Ken Annakin - Director, Gerald Thomas - Editor, Clifton Parker - Composer (Music Score), Geoffrey Rodway - Makeup, Geoffrey Unsworth - Cinematographer, Perce Pearce - Producer, Lawrence Edward Watkin - Screenwriter, Peter Ellenshaw - Matte Artist, Charles Major - Book Author
