Produced by Sol C. Siegal for 20th Century Fox in 1949 PRINCE OF FOXES is a splendid romantic adventure story set in Renaissance Italy. Stylishly directed by Henry King on actual Italian locations it has one unforgivable drawback - its Monochrome cinematography! So for once I cannot say - for the life of me - in glorious black & white! For if ever a movie needed to be filmed in colour PRINCE OF FOXES is the prime example! One story has it that there was not adequate funds to film in colour. But the preferred excuse was when the company arrived in Italy in 1948 to begin shooting they found that there was not a colour camera to be had in the entire country. And being behind schedule already the unfortunate decision was made to film in Monochrome. But Fox Video should have made an effort in making some kind of amends for this by colorizing the movie for this DVD release, thereby preserving - to some degree - the scenes in the magnificent ornate palaces and churches of the Renaissance whose interiors were used in the picture. After all they had done an excellent job with colour on the DVD re-release of the classic "The Mark Of Zorro" (1940) a couple of years back, surely PRINCE OF FOXES was a more deserving cause! Ironically the only Acadamy Award nomination the picture garnered was for Leon Shamroy's Monochrome cinematography!
As it stands however it is still a fine movie with a cracking screenplay by Milton Krims based on the novel by Samuel Shellabarger. Tyrone Power is excellent in it and brings great depth to an already well written part. Also there's a striking performance by Orson Welles in the plum role of Cesare Borgia. The story involves a young adventurer, Andrea Orsini (Power), who is appointed as a sort of ambassador by Borgia to some kingdoms he hopes one day to acquire. When he goes to a mountain state ruled by the kindly and elderly Count Verano (Felix Alymer) and his attractive much younger wife Modonna Camilla (Wanda Hendricks) he becomes aware of a better way of life. He turns against the Borgias, is imprisoned and tortured (in a startling sequence his eyes appear to be gouged from his head). Later he is freed and leads a revolt routing the Borgias. Finally the old count dies from his battle wounds leaving Andrea and the young widow free to marry.
Despite the shameful absence of colour Shamroy's Monochrome cinematography does however lend King's well told story a certain visual style. Also an outstanding addition to the overall picture is Alfred Newman's ravishing baroque score. After the exhilarating Main Title music there is the sumptuous main theme. First heard hauntingly sung by solo male voice over the Venice canal sequence it is then fully developed in glowing orchestral form and is used to point up the growing love between Andrea and Modonna Camilla. An exquisite broad rapturous theme full of engaging warmth which positively surges with passion. It is arguably Alfred Newman's loveliest melodic inspiration! This dazzling score can be heard for its own merits isolated on the audio track.
Performances in PRINCE OF FOXES are throughout generally well played with Power and Welles being particular standouts. Excellent also is Felix Alymer and Everett Sloane but Wanda Hendricks in the female lead is terribly miscast. She doesn't suit the picture at all! One wag observed "She looks like a bobbysoxer lost in a great Cathedral". My sentiments exactly!
The DVD is of exceptional quality! With well defined imagery that is sharp and clear. Extras, besides Newman's arresting score, include a still gallery, a good trailer and a very appropriate Movitone News excerpt showing Ty Power and Linda Christian being wed in Italy which took place while he was making the movie there. NICE ONE FOX! BUT IT IS A SHAME YOU DIDN'T COLOURIZE IT!
As it stands however it is still a fine movie with a cracking screenplay by Milton Krims based on the novel by Samuel Shellabarger. Tyrone Power is excellent in it and brings great depth to an already well written part. Also there's a striking performance by Orson Welles in the plum role of Cesare Borgia. The story involves a young adventurer, Andrea Orsini (Power), who is appointed as a sort of ambassador by Borgia to some kingdoms he hopes one day to acquire. When he goes to a mountain state ruled by the kindly and elderly Count Verano (Felix Alymer) and his attractive much younger wife Modonna Camilla (Wanda Hendricks) he becomes aware of a better way of life. He turns against the Borgias, is imprisoned and tortured (in a startling sequence his eyes appear to be gouged from his head). Later he is freed and leads a revolt routing the Borgias. Finally the old count dies from his battle wounds leaving Andrea and the young widow free to marry.
Despite the shameful absence of colour Shamroy's Monochrome cinematography does however lend King's well told story a certain visual style. Also an outstanding addition to the overall picture is Alfred Newman's ravishing baroque score. After the exhilarating Main Title music there is the sumptuous main theme. First heard hauntingly sung by solo male voice over the Venice canal sequence it is then fully developed in glowing orchestral form and is used to point up the growing love between Andrea and Modonna Camilla. An exquisite broad rapturous theme full of engaging warmth which positively surges with passion. It is arguably Alfred Newman's loveliest melodic inspiration! This dazzling score can be heard for its own merits isolated on the audio track.
Performances in PRINCE OF FOXES are throughout generally well played with Power and Welles being particular standouts. Excellent also is Felix Alymer and Everett Sloane but Wanda Hendricks in the female lead is terribly miscast. She doesn't suit the picture at all! One wag observed "She looks like a bobbysoxer lost in a great Cathedral". My sentiments exactly!
The DVD is of exceptional quality! With well defined imagery that is sharp and clear. Extras, besides Newman's arresting score, include a still gallery, a good trailer and a very appropriate Movitone News excerpt showing Ty Power and Linda Christian being wed in Italy which took place while he was making the movie there. NICE ONE FOX! BUT IT IS A SHAME YOU DIDN'T COLOURIZE IT!