The Black Rose (1950)

A disinherited 13th Century Saxon nobleman leaves Norman England with an archer friend to seek his fortune in the Far East.

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Talbot Jennings (screenplay), Thomas B. Costain (novel)

Stars:

Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Cécile Aubry

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tyrone Power	...	Walter of Gurnie
Orson Welles	...	Bayan
Cécile Aubry	...	Maryam (as Cecile Aubry)
Jack Hawkins	...	Tristram Griffin
Michael Rennie	...	King Edward
Finlay Currie	...	Alfgar
Herbert Lom	...	Anthemus
Mary Clare	...	Countess Eleanor of Lessford
Robert Blake	...	Mahmoud (as Bobby Blake)
Alfonso Bedoya	...	Lu Chung
Gibb McLaughlin	...	Wilderkin
James Robertson Justice	...	Simeon Beautrie
Henry Oscar	...	Friar Roger Bacon
Laurence Harvey	...	Edmond

Storyline

In the 13th century, Walter of Gurnie, a disinherited Saxon youth, is forced to flee England. With his friend, the master archer Tris, he falls in with the army of the fierce but avuncular General Bayan, and journeys all the way to China, where both men become involved in intrigues in the court of Kublai Khan.

---

Plot Keywords:

illegitimate son | boot | archer | crossdressing | medieval tiimes | 

---

Taglines:

An adventure that will blaze... A love that will flame... 'till the stars grow cold...

---

Genres:

Adventure | History | Romance | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Rosa Negra

Filming Locations:

Casablanca, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions, Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This takes place during the reign of Edward I (1272-1307). Walter makes much of the Norman / Saxon rivalry. Edward was named by his father, Henry III, after the last Anglo Saxon king (and his father's favorite saint), Edward the Confessor. King John (1199-1216) is considered to have been the last of the Norman kings. After that, the kings were considered to be English.

---

Goofs

The name of the warlord, Bayan, is alternately pronounced "By-an" (the correct pronunciation) and "Bay-an" by different actors throughout the film.

---

Quotes

Bayan: That's the only way you can ever sleep soundly, you know, when your enemy's sleep is eternal.

---

Connections

Referenced in They'll Love Me When I'm Dead (2018)

---

Soundtracks

Andrea Orsini
(uncredited)
from Prince of Foxes (1949)
Music by Alfred Newman

User Reviews

A rousing, old-time action adventure!

This is one of those movies that makes you feel like a 12-year-old sneaking into the local movie palace on a Saturday afternoon.

If you like exotic locales, rousing action, a lot of humor and a bit of romance thrown in for good measure, you'll probably enjoy this film as much as I do.

Orson Welles ("Bayan of the Thousand Eyes") is the real star, though Jack Hawkins, as usual, is terrific. This movie is a delight, and it stands the test of time. Best of all, it leaves you with a contented smile on your face.

I rate it a solid 8.5 out of 10.