Friday, October 03, 2008

TV review – “Errol Flynn Theatre – The Duel” (1957) **

Errol Flynn didn’t often play villains during his career – the closest he got was something like That Forsyth Woman or Master of Ballantrae – so it’s fascinating to see him as an out-and-out black hat in this episode of his own television anthology. 

He plays an English lord, a skilled duellist and scoundrel. He’s short of money so he plans to marry his ward – despite the fact his ward wants to marry an officer. The officer would challenge Errol to a duel but the ward is scared of Errol’s ability. Eventually the duel happens… but Errol freaks out and dies of apoplexy.

It’s a rather intriguing ending to an intriguing episode. The period detail is pleasing for a low budget, but the acting is poor; Errol is the best, but even he is a bit too obviously “acting – still, he’s better than the ward and her boyfriend, both of whom are atrocious.

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