Under the Red Robe (1937)

Cardinal Richelieu spares the life of a convicted duelist (Veidt) provided he will capture the leader of the Huguenots.

Director:

Victor Sjöström

Writers:

Lajos Biró (screenplay), Philip Lindsay (screenplay),

Stars:

Conrad Veidt, Annabella, Raymond Massey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Conrad Veidt	...	Gil de Berault
Annabella	...	Lady Marguerite of Fiox
Raymond Massey	...	Cardinal Richelieu
Romney Brent	...	Marius
Sophie Stewart	...	Elise, Duchess of Fiox
Wyndham Goldie	...	Edmond, Duke of Fiox (as F. Wyndham Goldie)
Lawrence Grant	...	Father Joseph
Balliol Holloway	...	Clon
Shale Gardner	...	Louis (as Shayle Gardner)
Frank Damer	...	Pierre
James Regan	...	Jean
Edie Martin	...	Maria
Haddon Mason	...	Count Rossignac
J. Fisher White	...	Baron Breteuil
Graham Soutten	...	Leval (as Ben Soutten)

Storyline

In 1620s France, dreaded swordsman Gil de Berault returns from carrying out a mission for Cardinal Richelieu, and finds the Cardinal worried about growing opposition from the Huguenots in the south. The Cardinal also warns de Berault that dueling has been outlawed, and will henceforth be punishable by death. Gil, however, promptly disobeys the law and is indeed sentenced to death. The Cardinal offers to cancel the sentence if de Berault is able to capture the duke who is organizing plans for an uprising. Gil travels to the duke's castle and is allowed to stay as a guest, but the duke's wife and sister immediately suspect that he is a spy. He and his servant still make good progress, until he falls in love with the duke's sister, which complicates everything.

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Plot Keywords:

duke | huguenot | capture | cardinal richelieu | swordsman | 

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Taglines:

Swashbucker Gil De Berault is bound for the guillotine when he is given one last chance for a pardon.

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1937 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Unter der roten Robe

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Pictures Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Romney Brent (Marius) was also the Dialogue Director for this film.

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Quotes

Lady Marguerite of Fiox: I had to hate you; because from the very first moment, I had to love you.

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Connections

Remake of Under the Red Robe (1923)

User Reviews

Cheers for the Victor

Congenital swashbuckler Conrad Veidt (as Gil de Berault) can't keep his sword in its sheath, despite a law against dueling; so, he is sentenced to death. Mr. Veidt receives an offer of exoneration from ruthless and powerful Raymond Massey (as Cardinal Richelieu); but, he must first capture Mr. Massey's enemy, a revolutionary Duke. Veidt manages to install himself as a guest in the Duke's castle, with its master away. While waiting for his prey to return, Veidt becomes smitten with the Duke's sister, Annabella (as Lady Marguerite).

Notable as Victor Sjöström final film as director; and, the direction of "Under the Red Robe" is certainly a highlight. The performances of the three leads are also excellent, intensified by Mr. Sjöström, a master filmmaker. Unfortunately, this re-make of a 1923 swashbuckling silent doesn't offer very much action, which doesn't help its already slow-moving story. Romney Brent (as Marius) contrasts the intense lead performances, as Veidt's light-heeled lackey.

****** Under the Red Robe (5/31/37) Victor Sjöström ~ Conrad Veidt, Annabella, Raymond Massey