IMDb plot summary: In France during the late 18th Century, a man sets out to avenge the death of his friend at the hands of a master swordsman.
Directed by George Sidney. Starring Stewart Granger, Janet Leigh, and Eleanor Parker.
Scaramouche is a 1952 film about a young Frenchman who embarks on a quest to avenge his friend's death, along the way finding his lost family, joining a theater troupe, and becoming a master swordsman. I am kind of astonished that this movie isn't better known, because it is delightful. It jumps full-on into swashbuckling adventure, creating a rogueish protagonist who certainly has his flaws but nevertheless is easy to root for, and the various settings it puts in place for his adventures are so much fun. I particularly loved the eight-minute final swordfight that takes place all over a theater, including on top of the opera box railings (with audience members sitting right next to them). I also appreciated how much time this movie spent just showing off commedia dell'arte and the various characters and tropes that made it so successful. There are definitely some dated elements to this movie, but it seems so thoroughly of its time that they didn't strike me as out of place, and the good definitely outweighs the bad. This is definitely one I plan to revisit someday!
How it entered my Flickchart:
Scaramouche > Vampyr
Scaramouche > Anna Karenina
Scaramouche > The White Tiger
Scaramouche > Deathtrap
Scaramouche < The Producers (1968)
Scaramouche < Sleepless in Seattle
Scaramouche > Paths of Glory
Scaramouche < Schindler's List
Scaramouche < Repulsion
Scaramouche > Chicken Run
Scaramouche < Breaking the Waves
Scaramouche < Strangers on a Train
Final spot: #199 out of 3728, or 95%.
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