While I prefer the 1923 version, the 1952 Scaramouche is still one of my favorite popcorn films. It has all the necessary ingredients for a classic old-fashioned swashbuckler: fencing, chases, a sumptuous historical setting, romance, and witty dialogue galore.
All the actors do a fine job, especially Eleanor Parker as Andre's lover Lenore. I don't think she ever looked more beautiful than she does here. Janet Leigh is good, but her character is written as your typical smitten ingénue, giving her little to work with. Mel Ferrer is a great charismatic bad guy. Stewart Granger is adequate as the lead. His acting isn't what I would call stellar, but he's athletic and charming, and that's all that really matters.
The action scenes are the best part of the whole film. I don't think I really need to sing the praises of the lengthy sword fight at the end, do I? Everyone else already has and in detail too.
As fun as this movie is, I do have a few problems with it (SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD): 1) The romance between Andre and Aline is underdeveloped. He goes throughout the film thinking she is his sister, which of course changes his outlook on her entirely. Aline is still madly in love with him though. Andre does not discover the truth until the end and then he dumps Lenore (with whom he had more screen time and chemistry) for Aline. It's very unsatisfying.
2) The reveal that Andre and the Marquis are brothers is handled clumsily. When Andre has the Marquis right where he wants him, he hesitates and does not go through with killing him. WHY? Lewis Stone comes on and explains to Andre that he unconsciously knew it was his own brother and could not kill him. That's a bit too convenient for me.
(SPOILERS OVER) Despite the sometimes clunky writing, Scaramouche is still a fun and timeless adventure flick. I give it a seven.
All the actors do a fine job, especially Eleanor Parker as Andre's lover Lenore. I don't think she ever looked more beautiful than she does here. Janet Leigh is good, but her character is written as your typical smitten ingénue, giving her little to work with. Mel Ferrer is a great charismatic bad guy. Stewart Granger is adequate as the lead. His acting isn't what I would call stellar, but he's athletic and charming, and that's all that really matters.
The action scenes are the best part of the whole film. I don't think I really need to sing the praises of the lengthy sword fight at the end, do I? Everyone else already has and in detail too.
As fun as this movie is, I do have a few problems with it (SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD): 1) The romance between Andre and Aline is underdeveloped. He goes throughout the film thinking she is his sister, which of course changes his outlook on her entirely. Aline is still madly in love with him though. Andre does not discover the truth until the end and then he dumps Lenore (with whom he had more screen time and chemistry) for Aline. It's very unsatisfying.
2) The reveal that Andre and the Marquis are brothers is handled clumsily. When Andre has the Marquis right where he wants him, he hesitates and does not go through with killing him. WHY? Lewis Stone comes on and explains to Andre that he unconsciously knew it was his own brother and could not kill him. That's a bit too convenient for me.
(SPOILERS OVER) Despite the sometimes clunky writing, Scaramouche is still a fun and timeless adventure flick. I give it a seven.