Posts
This week’s Thursday Movie Picks
(about The Renaissance), hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves, has an entirely
unintentional link. That link is Orson Welles, he starred in two of the films I
selected and in the final pick Welles starred in another film adaptation of the
famous Scottish Play.
As this week’s theme is The Renaissance
it seems appropriate that we lay our scene in fair Italy, the heart of the
resurgence in knowledge regarding art, science, and culture. Prince of Foxes stars Tyrone Power and Orson
Welles, and concerns Cesare Borgia (Welles) who assigns Andrea (Power) to infiltrate
nearby Ferrara (which is halting Cesare’s conquest of Italia) but Andrea falls
in love with Camlia (Wanda Henridix) and betrays the powerful lord Cesare Borgia.
I don’t think colour is a necessity
to enjoy a film, but there are cases where colour may have enhanced the
picture. Prince of Foxes, where
possible, makes use of the real locations (that is actually Venice). As good as
the black and white cinematography was, a colour picture would really make the
most of the rolling Tuscany fields, epic battle scenes and make Leon Shamroy’s
fine cinematography stand out even more. Minor quibbles aside, Prince of Foxes is a fine film with
Welles in great form.
.gif)
Kings tend to get their own way
so when The Pope refused to grant Henry VIII a divorce, Henry threw his toys
out the pram and created the Church of England so he could get his own way.
Many people accepted the oath to accept this church, except for Thomas More who
stood up the most well-known King in English History and suffered the consequences.
A Man for All Seasons won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1966 and it
remains a film with top class performances from the likes of Robert Shaw (Henry
VIII), Paul Schofield (More) and a very young John Hurt (a back-stabbing
arsehole who name doesn’t deserve a mention). Orson Welles makes an appearance as
Cardinal Wosley in this pretty accurate and interesting historical drama.
 |
| Throne of Blood |
I am so pleasantly surprised to see a second mention of Prince of Foxes this week! Wouldn't have expected that. It's a fun film with a dashing Power and Orson chewing the high grade ham every chance he gets. It is unfortunate, and a bit puzzling considering Power's superstar stature, that Fox decided against filming it in color.
ReplyDeleteLove A Man for All Seasons, an expertly put together film on a fascinating chapter in history. Scofield is brilliant and is supported by that amazing cast with assured direction.
Throne of Blood is a major blind spot for me but I've constantly heard it's fantastic and it is on my long, long list to see.
As many have you picked one film outside of Europe which sparked me to remember that the Renaissance happened worldwide. I'm sure I realized on some level that it did but to me when I think about it the setting is always Europe which is where all my choices are located.
The Advocate aka The Hour of the Pig (1993)-Richard Courtois (Colin Firth) a lawyer in 15th century France tired of the chicanery and lawlessness of Paris moves to the small rural town Abbeville along with his clerk Mathieu (Jim Carter) when he’s offered a job as a public defender. This being a period when animals were held accountable for crimes with the same punishments handed out to humans he soon finds himself defending a pig accused of murdering a Jewish boy. Pitted against a determined prosecutor (Donald Pleasance) and Catholic priest (Ian Holm), Richard defends the animal and becomes enamored of its owner, beautiful gypsy Samira (Amina Annabi). Along the way he finds out about the strange goings on behind the doors of the seemingly tame townspeople. The medieval justice system and local superstitions mingle as the case plays out. A strange and quirky film this is based on the journal of an actual barrister of the period.
Queen Margot (1994)-Dark and dire tale of the 16th century religious battle between the Catholics and the Huguenots for control of France. King Charles IX and his mother the dower queen Catherine de ’Medici (a simply sensational and scary Virna Lisi as a merciless woman whose soul has turned to dust) offer the Princess Margot (Isabelle Adjani-brilliant) to the Protestant King of Navarre in marriage as a political pawn. Trapped and unhappy Margot soon starts an affair with a soldier (Vincent Perez) as her mother orchestrates the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre of thousands of Huguenots as well as murderous intrigues to place her other son on the Navarre throne. Blood splattered revenges and double crosses follow.
Quentin Durward (1955)-Plush version of Sir Walter Scott’s tale of a Scottish knight, the Quentin of the title (Robert Taylor) sent to France by his cash strapped uncle to propose to a wealthy and titled lady, the fair Isabelle (Kay Kendall) who is at the moment at the castle of King Louis XI (the amusing Robert Morley-owner of the stupidest looking crown in any movie ever). Once arrived there is intrigue aplenty with attacks and sword fights including one where the protagonists dangle from bell tower ropes inside a burning church. Entertaining derring-do was one of the few leads that the luminous Kay Kendall had before leukemia claimed her at 33.
I was actually quite surprised how much I liked Prince of Foxes.
DeleteQueen Margot has been picked a few tmes this week. Tempted to check it out. Certainy interested by The Hour of the Pig...sounds very different.
Wow, I don't know any of your picks, I guess you've really added to my list today!
ReplyDeleteGreat. Haha. Bringing some unknown films to your attention
DeleteNope, haven't seen any of these. I need to step my game up.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I often haven't seen your picks either
DeleteI haven't seen any of these, but I've seen Seven Samurai and it was great.
ReplyDeleteSeven Samurai is perhaps Akira's best film
DeleteThis is the second time I have seen Prince of Foxes and that it was a shame it was not done in colour...now I want to see this film for sure! I have seen A Man For All Seasons which is an excellent film and so well acted. I haven't seen the last one
ReplyDeleteI was quite suprised how much I liked Prince of Foxes
DeleteI've never seen them. In fact, I've only heard of A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS.
ReplyDeleteAll worth checking out
DeleteI'm joining the choir of people who haven't seen any of these - you won! ;) No, honestly, they all sound really interesting.
ReplyDelete-Mette
Haha. I do try to pick somewhat unknown films
DeleteOh I love A Man For All Seasons.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of links...do remember to have a link back to my blog when your participate.