Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955)

Fictionalized account of events leading up the famous nude ride (alas, her hair covers everything) of the militant Saxon lady.

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Oscar Brodney (screenplay), Oscar Brodney (story),

Stars:

Maureen O'Hara, George Nader, Victor McLaglen

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Maureen O'Hara	...	Lady Godiva
George Nader	...	Lord Leofric
Victor McLaglen	...	Grimald
Rex Reason	...	Harold
Torin Thatcher	...	Lord Godwin
Eduard Franz	...	King Edward
Leslie Bradley	...	Count Eustace
Arthur Shields	...	Innkeeper
Robert Warwick	...	Humbert
Arthur Gould-Porter	...	Thorold
Grant Withers	...	Pendar
Anthony Eustrel	...	Prior
Kathryn Givney	...	Abbess
Sim Iness	...	Oswin
Thayer Roberts	...	William, Duke of Normandy

Storyline

In 11th-century England, King Edward the Confessor wants saxon Lord Leofric to marry a despised Norman woman, and has him jailed when he refuses. In jail, he meets Godiva, the sheriff's daughter, and soon they are wed. The times are turbulent and Godiva proves a militant bride; unhistorically, unrest between the Anglo-Saxon populace and the increasingly influential Norman French lead to her famous ride.

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Plot Keywords:

lady godiva

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Taglines:

The First Startling Story Of The World's Most Famous Ride!

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

21st Century Lady Godiva

Filming Locations:

Court of Miracles, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Columbo: Murder, Smoke and Shadows (1989)

User Reviews

Go, Diva! Go, Diva! Go, Diva!

That's what I found myself yelling at the screen every time leading lady Maureen O'Hara got feisty, which was pretty much every scene she was in. It seems that this Saxon lass can toss a heavy tree log onto a fire without effort, and slap strong men, leaving not only their pride bruised, but their faces as well. It's a battle of the sexes, as well as the Saxons and Normans, when Saxon Lord George Nader weds feisty lass Godiva (O'Hara) and finds that she stands up to him on every level. This is no normal middle-ages woman, as Godiva is beyond feisty, yet compassionate. She demands to be treated as an equal, not asking for more or less. This makes O'Hara always delightfully likable, while Nader can't help but be amused in this age of cod-pieced men.

While the first half is a variation of "Taming of the Shrew", the second half is a political thriller of the conflicts of the Saxons and Normans which ends with Godiva's famous ride. The film's theme goes from lighthearted to serious. Overall, the film is pure entertainment, with a great leading lady, sumptuous photography, and a lot of fun. Probably historically inaccurate, it's still a step above the campiness of Universal's Maria Montez series which Ms. O'Hara took over and turned into a classier act.

Go Diva!