In the late 50s Errol Flynn hosted and co-produced his own anthology TV series, in which he occasionally appeared. This instalment has him in a swashbuckling role; he plays a Royalist during the English Civil War who tries to rescue a captured general from the Parliamentarians. Pro-royalist swashbucklers are always a bit wonky because even though the cavaliers had the glamour, they’re still fighting against democracy for a dictator.
This story tries to duck around it by having the villain be an ambitious soldier who wants to get on to Cromwell’s staff – but it still leaves a bit of a nasty taste in the mouth. Not much action – most of this has Errol running around taverns, getting up to spy escapades. Unlike Sword of Villon, Errol’s age and weeziness counts against him here; it’s alright, but really only for Errol completists.
Andrew Keir has a support role.
No comments:
Post a Comment