The Sword and the Rose (1953)

Tells the story of Mary Tudor and her troubled path to true love. Henry VIII, for political reasons, determines to wed her to the King of France. She tries to flee to America with her love ... See full summary »

Director:

Ken Annakin

Writers:

Lawrence Edward Watkin (screenplay), Charles Major (novel)

Stars:

Glynis Johns, Richard Todd, James Robertson Justice

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glynis Johns	...	Princess Mary Tudor
Richard Todd	...	Charles Brandon
James Robertson Justice	...	King Henry VIII
Michael Gough	...	Duke of Buckingham
Jane Barrett	...	Lady Margaret
Peter Copley	...	Sir Edwin Caskoden
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Queen Katherine
D.A. Clarke-Smith	...	Cardinal Wolsey
Ernest Jay	...	Lord Chamberlain
John Vere	...	Lawyer Clerk
Philip Lennard	...	Chaplain
Bryan Coleman	...	Earl of Surrey
Phillip Glasier	...	Royal Falconer
Jean Mercure	...	King Louis XII
Gérard Oury	...	Dauphin of France (as Gerard Oury)

Storyline

Tells the story of Mary Tudor and her troubled path to true love. Henry VIII, for political reasons, determines to wed her to the King of France. She tries to flee to America with her love but is captured when she is "un-hatted" on board ship. In return for her consent to the marriage with France, Henry agrees to let her choose her second husband. When King Louis of France dies, Mary is kidnaped by the Duke of Buckingham. He tries to force her to marry him but she is rescued by her love in an exciting battle on the beach.

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Plot Keywords:

king | dagger | martial arts | ambush | kiss | 

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Taglines:

NOW! WALT DISNEY BRINGS NEW EXCITEMENT TO ROMANCE!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | History

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 July 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

When Knighthood Was in Flower

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film of Patrick Cargill.

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Quotes

Charles Brandon: O Mary mine, wert thou a burgher's daughter, and with thy fair self in every other way, I'd take thee with me o'er the perilous water to the New World, where none could say us nay. O Mary mine - fair jewel, star set in the heaven above - thou art a Princess in a world apart... of castles, diadems, and of courtly love beyond my dreams. For kings will give thee gold, and princes bring thee gems from distant lands. The only wealth that I may ever hold are these fair flowers for thy maiden hands - ...

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Connections

Version of When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922)

User Reviews

Some Comments on the Characters

Disney was,of course,the best one for family entertainment.He really did create the market for films and television programs designed specifically for children.My only observation that can be seen as at all less than glowing is that,while violence per se is never eschewed,moral ambiguities are.Evil,for example,is portrayed in a relatively straightforward fashion,but bias,bigotry,and viciousness usually aren't.Consequently, the characterizations seen in his films are often less than 3 dimensional.His good characters,consequently,lack the flaws and failings that would round them out.

It's my understanding that Disney himself came from an emotionally and physically abusive background,characterized by alcoholism and a lack of love.I think,therefore,that his OWN search for nurturing figures,safety,and security show up in many of his films,reflected in the struggles and psychological journies of his protagonists.Not at all unusual,and indeed,perhaps inevitable.Nonetheless,as a result,his films need to be interpreted with this in mind.

This splendid,well-done,and highly enjoyable romance gives a delightful performance by Mr. Justice,which is historically less than accurate.Justice's portrayal of King Henry is that of a hearty,virile,good-natured and larger than life figure,who possess not only a sense of humor,but one of fun.He's both lovable and loving.This is the monarch that we wish Henry HAD been!And,sad to say,he wasn't.The really Henry VIII was a selfish,lustful,bloodthirsty,and boorish tyrant and monster,who crushed anyone who stood in his way.So,enjoy Justice's performance,based on the lusty,witty,drunken Falstaff.