Mon 11 Sep 2017
A Movie Review by Jonathan Lewis: THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE (1953).
Posted by Steve under Action Adventure movies , Reviews[4] Comments
THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE. Warner Brothers, 1953. Errol Flynn, Roger Livesey, Anthony Steel, Beatrice Campbell, Yvonne Furneaux, Felix Aylmer, Mervyn Johns. Screenplay: Herb Meadow, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Director: William Keighley.
I didn’t go into this one with the highest of expectations. After all, the Errol Flynn of the 1950s was a far cry from his earlier more exuberant self. Similarly, while I can appreciate costumers for what they primarily are – escapist entertainment – I can’t say that I find many of them to be among my favorite movies. Still, with a script loosely adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel of the same name, there were reasons to be hopeful that this feature would surpass some of Flynn’s other movies from the same era.
So consider me pleasantly surprised. For The Master of Ballantrae happens to be an entertaining, fun, and thrilling adventure film that has something to offer everyone apart from the most jaded cynic. Flynn, despite being significantly older and heavier than he was when he portrayed Robin Hood, is in top form. He’s charming, daring, and yes, has a thing for a lady. Or ladies.
Flynn portrays Jamie Durie, the titular Master of Ballantrae. He’s a Scottish nobleman who decides to fight for the Scottish side in the Jacobite rebellion. It’s also the losing side.
Forced into exile in the West Indies along with his right-hand man, Irishman Colonel Francis Burke (Roger Livesey), Jamie plans his return to Scotland wherein he will seek revenge for his brother Henry’s (Anthony Steel) alleged betrayal. He also has his mind set on reuniting with his fiancée, Lady Allison.
Although the plot is rather formulaic and predictable, it nevertheless moves forward at a steady pace. Flynn’s character is a totally likable rogue, one the audience will be rooting for throughout his many escapades. As I said, it’s a fun escapist adventure that benefits greatly from its own location photography, especially in the Scottish Highlands.
September 11th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Roger Livesey was a major presence in British movies and BALLANTRAE benefits from his appearance and some well-choreographed swordfights. Flynn can be seen visibly holding in his gut and trying to focus his eyes in some scenes, but he’s well-suited to the part. I might add that Robert Louis Stevenson’s book is well worth your time.
September 11th, 2017 at 9:53 pm
A superb cast stands behind Flynn including Livesey, Steel, Johns, and Alymer. The film is gorgeous to look at and buckles a swash more than competently.
By all means read the splendid and serious novel, Stevenson’s most adult novel save the incomplete WEIR OF HERMISTON. You might also want to see the handsomely done made for television version with Michael York a splendid Jamie and Richard Thomas a snively Henry.
But this film is everything Jonathan says. It is Flynn’s last great swashbuckler though THE WARRIOR has its moments.
September 12th, 2017 at 2:04 am
Lindsey really makes this film work. Remember that in Flynn’s best movies he always had good costars to play off of. Olivia De Havilland, Alan Hale Sr, Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone, Raymond Massey, and Ronald Reagan, to name a few. In his later years, as a big star, he could be expected to carry a whole movie by himself with there being no money to bring on an actor which he would work with. This is one of his later movies that he has a nice cast to work off of.
Also a plus, is the film’s location work. The film production appears to actually travel to the Caribbean for the pirate sequences. Whose bright, sunlit scenes provide a stark contrast to the misty highlands, and storm swept sea cliffs of Scotland.
This could even be a first, a pirate movie actually shot in the historic location of the Spanish Main, instead of in the studio? Soon after this, a British company would actually start shooting Tarzan movies in Africa. And, not too long after that, the James Bond movies would be shot all over the world. This could be a landmark British film?
And speaking of Errol Flynn and his co stars, check out the 1938 version of The Dawn Patrol Flynn starred in. The original 1930 Hawks version is a little shaky. And, all the action sequences are reused in this remake. Which Hawks did some uncredited writing on. With David Niven and Basil Rathbone backing Flynn this version is a real showcase of solid performances. Especially the scenes between Rathbone and Flynn, where they are just talking with each other and are not going to end up at each other’s throats. Probably Flynn’s best performance.
In a recent biography, it is suggested that Flynn didn’t have a long attention span, but could brazen most things in his younger life through with his charm. Which could explain a lot about his performances and life choices. But, if Flynn were working with the right director and a good cast,even in his later years, as seen in The Master of Ballantrae, Flynn could more than deliver the necessary lead performance a certain story needs.
September 12th, 2017 at 2:09 am
This is indeed a very good film and it’s nice to see that others appreciate it as much as I do. Flynn had a great cast to work with and an esteemed director who knew his craft very well. The score by William Alwyn works well too
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005944/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr2