IMDb > Quentin Durward (1955)

Quentin Durward (1955) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   318 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 21% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Robert Ardrey (screenplay)
George Froeschel (adaptation)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Quentin Durward on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1956 (West Germany) more
Plot:
In 1465 Quentin Durwood travels to France to meet Isabelle, Countess of Marcroy, on behalf of his elderly Scottish uncle whom... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
The last of Robert Taylor's Iron Jockstrap Roles more (12 total)

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 Liege

Michael Goodliffe ... Count De Dunois
John Carson ... Duke of Orléans
Nicholas Hannen ... John - Cardinal Balue
Moultrie Kelsall ... Lord Malcolm
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Adventures of Quentin Durward
more
Runtime:
103 min | 101 min (TCM print) | 100 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm magnetic prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The lead was first offered to Grace Kelly, who declined. more
Quotes:
Quentin Durward: Tell me, gypsy. Do you know this castle?
Hayraddin: Of course. Like the palm of your hand.
more
Movie Connections:
Version of "Quentin Durward" (1971) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 19 people found the following comment useful.
The last of Robert Taylor's Iron Jockstrap Roles, 29 April 2004
9/10
Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York

Mid-point in his career Robert Taylor was given Quo Vadis and was such a success in it that MGM then gave him Ivanhoe and Knights of the Round Table and finally Quentin Durward. Taylor did not like these films, he referred to them as his "iron jockstrap roles." He much preferred westerns and modern pictures. But he went with the flow so they say.

The stream flowed well for him in Quentin Durward. What Walter Scott was trying to do in the novel and succeeds on the screen is juxtapose the lives of noble knight Quentin Durward and the scheming spider king Louis XI of France played superbly by Robert Morley. Louis XI is modern man, stripped of all pretenses, surviving on his wits. Durward is a figure from antiquity even in the 15th century.

Louis XI is one of the most fascinating monarchs in history and we've seen him as a supporting character both in If I Were King and in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He was a guy who if one scheme didn't work, he had a backup plan, in fact about 5 or 6 backups. Most of us are lucky if we have 2 in any situation. But he had to rule that way. When he took the throne of France in 1461 they had ended the Hundred Years War and France was a devastated country. He couldn't afford to be starting any wars or he wouldn't have a country left. He had to rule by wile and stratagem and he succeeded. Too bad Robert Morley didn't make a film just about Louis XI. Great story, hope someone does it some day.

One of the most exciting action sequences in film history is done here with Quentin Durward battling the villainous Walter DeLa Marck in a burning bell tower while they are both swinging on ropes holding bell clappers. You should see the film for that alone.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (12 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Quentin Durward (1955)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
DVD now available directly from Warner's webpage! simonhowson
Look for dvd supwera2000
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Three Musketeers Stardust The Spanish Main The Man in the Iron Mask The Brigand
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Adventure section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.