The Master of Ballantrae
|
Our Price: $23.64 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $23.61 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Master of Ballantrae
Movie Review: Hard to find this late Flynn color movie
Summary: 4 Stars
This Flynn feature film in color has long been out of print, but is available from third parties. I don't understand why it isn't still available through normal channels, but it was reasonably priced, arrived promptly by air mail from iNetVideo in Canada and in perfect condition. Picture and sound are perfect and the action and sword play enjoyable to watch again and again. I
recommend this DVD and this supplier.
Movie Review: Still worth a look!
Summary: 3 Stars
This is an interesting film as it has always gained mixed opinions. For fans of Errol Flynn it is a highly regarded late career film. Certainly it is the best (and most widely available) of his 1950's swashbuckler movies. Although his looks had matured by the time he reached his mid forties (he was 43 when this movie made filmed in late 1952) Flynn still looked good in costume and was still agile enough to indulge in some well staged swordfights.However, although this film is highly regarded by Flynn fans, it is not by general reviewers. I think this is because they are reviewing the film as a adaption of a famous novel, and in that sense, the film is a let down.
However, it is still a colourful swashbuckler from the 1950's and the last to show off Flynn to good advantage and give him a 'meaty' role.
Movie Review: Flynn tries to recapture his "Captain Blood" days...
Summary: 3 Stars
...And does a so-so job. The plot of "Master of Ballantrae" is somewhat similar to "Captain Blood" (our hero gets on the wrong side of a tyrant, escapes danger to live the life of a pirate, and returns home and/or to his one true love) but in comparing the two "Ballantrae" comes off the worse; Flynn looks his age and then some (although he still looks fabulous in tights, even if they are plaid), and his lady love (Beatrice Campbell) is certainly no Olivia de Havilland. On the plus side, Roger Livesey, as Col. Francis Burke, is a suitably entertaining sidekick. I couldn't get into the other characters enough to care what happened to them (the parts of the storyline without Flynn are only average at best), but it's always fun to watch Errol swashbuckling away.Movie Review: Downside
Summary: 3 Stars
As a huge Flynn fan I had never seen this film before. It certainly is not one of the best Flynn films, but it is a decent action adventure. Flynn is older and heavier looking, but still has the spark of a great leading man. The film itself is not faithful to the book, but it covers an awful lot of ground in 89 minutes. The color is very rich for a 50 year old film. The location scenes are beautiful. The stage sets are a little cheesey, but they do not take away from the overall film. If you are a Flynn fan, then this is a must buy for you. Pirates, swordplay, romance and more swordplay, everything you could want from a Flynn movie.Movie Review: An Underrated Flynn Adventure
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Master of Ballantrae" (1953) was an appropriate finale to Errol Flynn's 18-year career at Warner Brothers. Reunited with "Adventures of Robin Hood" co-director William Keighley, the aging star adds plenty of zest to this Robert Louis Stevenson adaptation. Jack Cardiff's on-location Technicolor photography is a tremendous asset. No classic, but far superior to the actor's latter-day vehicles.