Quentin Durward (1955)

A Scottish knight in France to facilitate a marriage between a rich and beautiful countess and his aging uncle becomes involved in court intrigue.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Robert Ardrey (screenplay), George Froeschel (adaptation),

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall, Robert Morley

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Taylor	...	Quentin Durward
Kay Kendall	...	Isabelle, Countess of Marcroy
Robert Morley	...	King Louis XI
George Cole	...	Hayraddin
Alec Clunes	...	Charles, Duke of Burgundy
Duncan Lamont	...	Count William De la Marck
Laya Raki	...	Gypsy Dancer
Marius Goring	...	Count Philip De Creville
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Master Oliver (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
Eric Pohlmann	...	Gluckmeister
Harcourt Williams	...	Bishop of Liége
Michael Goodliffe	...	Count De Dunois
John Carson	...	Duke of Orléans
Nicholas Hannen	...	John, Cardinal Balue
Moultrie Kelsall	...	Lord Malcolm

Storyline

In 1465 Quentin Durwood travels to France to meet Isabelle, Countess of Marcroy, on behalf of his elderly Scottish uncle whom, for political reasons, the Duke of Burgundy intends she marry. A man of honour who may have sworn too many oaths, Durward finds he and Isabelle being used as pawns in a deadly game by the Duke and devious King Louis XI. One look at Isabelle has convinced Durward this is where he and his heart have to be.

---

Plot Keywords:

france | countess | court intrigue | burgundy | knight | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | History | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1956 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Sir Walter Scott's Quentin Durward

Filming Locations:

Bodiam Castle, Bodiam, East Sussex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 101 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Eastman Color)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The lead was first offered to Grace Kelly, who declined.

---

Goofs

During the time period of the movie the matchlock would have been the common firearm, however, the telltale puff of smoke from the flash pan is missing every time one is fired.

---

Quotes

Quentin Durward: Tell me, gypsy. Do you know this castle?
Hayraddin: Of course. Like the palm of your hand.

---

Connections

Featured in MGM Parade: Episode #1.6 (1955)

User Reviews

Louis the Eleventh in Chambord!

For a French viewer,it is always much fun to see how Hollywood treats our history.For sure,Louis the Eleventh would be amazed if he saw the Château de Chambord in his kingdom whereas this castle (400 chimneys)was built more than thirty years after his death.But on the other hand his castle of Plessis -Lès-Tours (Lès doesn't mean 'the' but "next to" ) was his favorite residence:it's here that he kept his Fillettes (=girlies) where he imprisoned his enemies.Unfortunately these cages do not appear in the movie.

However,Hollywood shows the historical figures as French conventions do in cinema:Robert Morley's shrewd smart king and Charles Le Téméraire (Charles the Bold)are depicted in the same way as in "Le Miracle Des Loups" a French classic swashbuckler which was filmed twice ,the first version by Raymond Bernard in the silent age.

"Quentin Durward" is entertaining stuff,suitable for the whole family but it is not as exciting as "Knights of the Round Table "-which featured a more beautiful leading lady in the shape of Ava Gardner- or mainly "the prisoner of Zenda" ,my favorite Thorpe movie.Besides,the part of the villain is too underwritten (remember James Mason in "Zenda").Best moment:the duel among the bells .