As Aventuras de D. Juan (1948)

The great lover Don Juan comes to the assistance of his queen.

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

Herbert Dalmas (story), George Oppenheimer (screenplay)

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Viveca Lindfors, Robert Douglas

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Errol Flynn	...	Don Juan de Maraña
Viveca Lindfors	...	Queen Margaret
Robert Douglas	...	Duke de Lorca
Alan Hale	...	Leporello
Romney Brent	...	King Phillip III
Ann Rutherford	...	Donna Elena
Robert Warwick	...	Don José - Count de Polan
Jerry Austin	...	Don Sebastian
Douglas Kennedy	...	Don Rodrigo
Jean Shepherd	...	Donna Carlotta (as Jeanne Shepherd)
Mary Stuart	...	Catherine
Helen Westcott	...	Lady Diana
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Don Serafino Lopez
Aubrey Mather	...	Lord Chalmers
Una O'Connor	...	Duenna

Storyline

Don Juan de Marana damages Spanish prestige in diplomatic circles with his indiscreet womanizing,although he attempts to rehabilitate his image after he meets the beautiful Queen Margaret, trapped in a loveless arranged marriage with the weak and feckless King Philip III. The Queen becomes the love of Don Juan's life, and although she is obviously attracted to him, the relationship remains appropriately platonic. Becoming caught up in court intrigue, Don Juan uncovers a plot by the King's minister, the ruthless Duke de Lorca, to become the power behind the throne. After de Lorca is exposed by Don Juan, he brazenly intimidates the cowardly king into compliance and threatens to execute the uncooperative queen. Helped by his friends, his servant Leporello, fencing master Don Serafino, and court jester Sebastian, Don Juan tries to foil the Duke's evil machinations.

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Plot Keywords:

swashbuckler | character name in title | don juan | queen | king | 

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Taglines:

History's Boldest Lover . . . Most Daring Swordsman ! !

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Warners considered filming this project with Errol Flynn twice previously, on 1939 and 1945. The 1945 proposed production was scuttled by a labor dispute. It was to be directed by Raoul Walsh, scored by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and co-star Victor Francen and Rosemary DeCamp as the King and Queen, with George Coulouris as the Duke. Only Jerry Austin and Alan Hale survived from the 1945 production, although S.Z. Sakall was also considered for the Leporello role.

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Goofs

King Philip and many of his courtiers, as well as courtiers of Elizabeth I, wear the wide brimmed feathered musketeer hat, a fashion of later in the 17th century. The correct fashion for the period, which several characters indeed wear, was a beret decorated with a feather, a look that would last a couple of decades into the beginning of the 17th century.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: [narrating voice over] In Europe, as the seventeenth century dawned, mankind was lifting itself from ignorance and superstition.

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Connections

Referenced in A Espada e a Mulher (1954)

User Reviews

A fitting final Warner swashbuckler for Flynn...

Errol Flynn, at 38, was not exactly as dashingly handsome as he was in his earliest triumph ('The Adventures of Robin Hood') for his life style had begun taking a physical toll on his health. But he looks in good shape (for the most part, except for some tell-tale closeups) and carries off the role with his usual zest, good humor and athletic grace.

He still has a good sidekick in Alan Hale who gets some witty banter with Flynn throughout the fast-moving film. Victor Sherman directs the tongue-in-cheek adventure tale with great style. All of the court intrigue and swashbuckling derring-do is photographed in gorgeous technicolor and accented by a lush pseudo-Spanish Max Steiner score. Fine bits of villainy supplied by Robert Douglas and Raymond Burr and some high spirited romance from women like Viveca Lindfors (at the peak of her physical beauty) and Ann Rutherford.

For fans of Flynn films, this is one of his best. None of it can be taken seriously, but that's part of the fun. From the wry opening to the sly closing scene, this is a pure delight if you're seeking escapist adventure photographed in some of the best color cinematography ever seen.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

10 March 1949 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

As Aventuras de D. Juan

Filming Locations:

Lasky Mesa, West Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1