Movie Review // The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh

Howard Pyle’s Men of Iron has always ranked high on my favorites list and I was stunned a few years ago to find out there had been a film adapted from it in the 50’s -- starring none other than Janet Leigh (one of my favorite actresses) as the hero’s love interest!

And as I was writing this, I realized this film actually lends itself to a fun scene-by-scene encapsulation as well so maybe that’ll come along someday, too. ;) Meanwhile, enjoy!

(Also note: I used a varied collection of screenshots for this, so some are better than others. :P As I recall, the quality of the film itself -- at least the digital version -- is quite excellent.)

The following official summary isn’t faultless, but since it’s a little known film I thought it’d be helpful:

“In The Black Shield of Falworth, Tony Curtis woos his real-life bride Janet Leigh, while defending the British throne in a swashbucking tale filled with jousts, jests and medieval heroics. The time is England in the reign of King Henry IV. Myles (Curtis) is a headstrong, handsome peasant determined to learn the name of his slain father and discover his true heritage. His fiery ambition and swift sword lead him to the majestic Mackworth Castle. There he must vie for both knighthood as well as the hand of the fair Lady Anne (Leigh), but her love is claimed by the evil, conniving Sir Walter Blount. All the while the English throne is being challenged to the death - from sinister forces within. With its remarkable supporting cast and stunning set design, this is truly an epic tale of which legends are made!”

I admit I had to get used to Tony Curtis a little in the role of Myles, but by the end I think it’s pretty near impossible not to be desperately rooting for him as he finally locks grips with his deadly enemy.

The supporting cast is all VERY well played.

They take a few plot liberties, but I was honestly amazed at how close they stuck to the original story line. We bought the digital copy at one point and, sadly (due to unrelated computer issues), we haven’t been able to watch it for a while, but indeed, from what I remember, the tweaks in the plot aren’t arbitrary and seemed quite reasonable, condensing and tying things a little tighter for screen purposes.

It’s full-fledged classic medieval drama with sparks of humor here and there. And, seeming at first lighthearted, it’s yet totally weighty with the gravity of serious conflict. 

A resentful hothead, flailing for his place in the world -- uncertain of friends and enemies, puzzled and only seeing the knotted underside of the threads of life and not the full tapestry -- Myles comes one day to find himself at the very center of a huge web of political intrigue.

(Myles and Gascoyne's friendship is so utterly fun and delightful.)

For Black Shield is really a coming of age story. The story of how the headstrong boy of the beginning is taken in hand and given a purpose, a weighty calling.

Because at the last, all that political intrigue tightens to a literal noose. When all the pieces are in place and the conflict is laid out, the stakes are huge and the pressure comes crashing down on our hero… our hero who has been carefully pruned and tempered to be able to bear the crushing weight of expectations and responsibility.

There are some hard questions asked. 

And in the end, it’s about loyalty. And gratitude. 

(Also, we have to have one quick specific note on the ladies… They’re both GREAT. *spoilers* Loyal and daring, in the end, while remaining perfect and utter ladies, they yet manage to pull off an ingenious rescue operation, ultimately saving the day. ;))

So yes, I know I condensed a lot about the plot, etc., but as you can probably guess, it ends with a duel to the death between our hero and his arch-nemesis, a duel which ultimately explodes into a raging full on battle scene.

And…. since I’m trying not to give any more spoilers at the moment, I’ll just set your mind at rest by saying that, yes, it does indeed have a most happy and triumphant ending! ;D

Tell me! Have you read Men of Iron or seen Black Shield?

What do you think?

My fifth and final review for Miss Laurie's Period Drama Challenge 2016!

Movie Review // Love Comes Softly with Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff (2003)

Wow, this is funny. Two movies I chose to review this close together both released in 2003! Funny quirk indeed…

Now I’ve not seen much of the rest of this series (though I read the books a LOT at one point in my life, so when it comes to script inaccuracies I feel Quite Well Informed), but I have seen and researched enough to laugh heartily at certain gently-poking-fun-blog-posts that pop up from time to time. 

But, to take a step back, I really think this one is good as a standalone in its own right and tends not to get its full due sometimes.

Now I don’t agree with all the theology. And yes, the story’s also simple and straightforward, but you know what?? It’s really quite fairly realistic. Sometimes real life isn’t always all that complicated. And sometimes it’s both super hard and very sweet.

The soundtrack -- with its refrain of Come Thou Fount – is beautiful. 

Let’s see… Hmmm. What else? Oh yes. The costuming isn’t completely period, but it’s well done and Marty’s outfits are very pretty. (And I love how they do her hair! I’ve imitated her braided updo multiple times and it’s become one of my quick Sunday standby’s. ;))

And… I just looked it up and I knew it was close, but after I get married I’m actually going to be living within easy driving distance of where this was filmed! How incredible is that?!? Hem. All such exciting rabbit trails aside, as I was getting around to saying, I love the landscape in this! Mountains and dry rolling hills and wind and wide running spaces…. You all know I’m a western loving girl. ;)

So in conclusion, I definitely love this story. A good, clean, simple (also honestly thought provoking at times) dose of sweet romance! 

How about you?

Reviewed for Miss Laurie’s Period Drama Challenge 2016.

Movie Review // The Music Man (2003) with Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth

Hello everyone!

Glorious, wonderful, amazing, emotional, rollercoaster ups and downs of engagement and wedding planning notwithstanding, I’m determined to get as close as I possibly can to finishing Miss Laurie’s period drama challenge (up this Saturday!). (Especially as I mostly have everything all in my head, the words are just begging for a few somehow unemployed minutes on my laptop to spill out and form some sort of coherency.)

Which leads us into our actual review here for one of my very favorite musicals. (Incidentally, reviewing it at the moment is actually very fitting as it’s something that’s helped me through a couple tough spots in the last few years and as it’s also tied more than a little into all the wedding planning.) And the story takes place over the course of the three weeks between Flag Day (June 14th) and the 4th of July. So it’s the absolutely perfect time.

Now where to actually start?

First, to get the quick FYI negatives out of the way, the language etc. is all very clean, but there are a couple inappropriate uses of God's name, particularly in the song Iowa Stubborn (so we usually just skip that one). And now for some background. I have indeed seen the 1962 version as well and I won’t spend much time on all that (as this isn’t about all the reasons why I didn’t/don’t like the ’62), but suffice to say, this one fixed every single thing I didn't like in that one and I love it!! Indeed (with a surprise twist at the end), I think they made it five times better. Which is also why the story jumped from the bottom of the scale to become one of my tip top favorites. 

From beginning to end it’s just so happy. 

As aforementioned, it happens in June 1912, right at the tail end of the Edwardian period, with an absolute wealth of delicious colors and incredible styles. Some of them are a bit stylized, but the costuming altogether -- textures, colors etc. -- is just breathtaking. Not to mention the hats. Those are stunning.

I feel like Kristin Chenoweth’s acting as Marian takes a bit of getting used to, but the story pulls you in and altogether she does a very nice job. I really like how they change her make-up and dresses over the course of the film, too, highlighting how she changes -- warming and softening. And her voice is incredible.

One aspect I particularly love in this version (seeming to make a lot of sense) is that she’s a little older. It’s fascinating to see how the town has ostracized her (and how she’s grown accordingly) and then as Harold Hill publicly values her -- pursuing her in a thoroughly gentlemanly fashion -- she starts becoming valuable in other people’s eyes as well. It’s lovely.

Matthew Broderick does a great job with the singing and an excellent job as Harold Hill. A con artist, he’s yet genuinely concerned for other people, looking out for their best interests and noticing the smallest details; entering into their lives and into their stories -- understanding their secret fears and hopes and dreams.

And, with perfect and utter courtesy, he turns their strait-laced, straight-buttoned, neat-as-a-pin world upside down, bringing life and resurrection to little, stubborn, holier-than-thou River City Iowa. (So yes, there’s some incredibly neat Biblical imagery there about which much could be said -- including the role music plays in all of it.) But, even with all that wonderfulness aside, the story is just pure and delightful fun.

In short, it’s quintessential small town America. In the summertime. And the humor throughout is priceless.

The cinematography is beautiful and -- energetic and dynamic from the very first scene -- with the vibrant tweaks in storytelling it’s an absolutely top notch remake of an old classic!!

Tell me! Have you seen this Music Man and what do you think?

(Reviewed for Miss Laurie’s Period Drama Challenge 2016.)

Period Drama Challenge: April & May Tag Answers

(For Miss Laurie's Period Drama Challenge here.)

1. What period dramas did you view in April & May?

Let's see.... Among a couple more here and there, The Music Man 2003 (hoping to have a review coming soon! :)), parts of The Slipper and the Rose, Little Women 1978 (which I quite loved and can't wait to see again), Pride & Prejudice '95, The Magic of Ordinary Days on a 'ladies afternoon' with a friend, and The Thin Man Goes Home.

2. Do you prefer to watch period dramas that have a happy ending or a bittersweet ending?

I prefer the ending to be thoroughly happy, but (thinking about it) I do love it when everything's tied together so well that the ending is tinged with echoes of all the deep places the characters have been. So that can lend itself to a thoughtful bitter sweetness at times.

3. What media forms do you prefer to use when watching period dramas (i.e. purchased DVDs, rented/borrowed DVDs, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu)?

At the moment I really like purchased dvd's, but I prefer viewing something before purchasing so I (generally) watch a given movie/tv series via the library first.

4. Which period drama character's wardrobe would you like to own?

Ohhh... slightly modified in a few areas, of course (i.e. the necklines), but at the moment I'll say Cinderella 2015.

5. What period dramas are you looking forward to viewing in June 2016?

Well I just watched Song of the Thin Man (#6 in the series and also starring Keenan Wynn) twice this month with different combinations of siblings and as I'd really been wanting to see that one I'm feeling pretty satisfied. :)

(FYI, these screencaps have all been colorized differently. The movie itself is b/w.)

And this one's not from the movie, but it's too fun not to put on. ;)

Tell me! Have you seen Song of the Thin Man? Or any of the others I mentioned?