The Flame and the Arrow (1950)

Dardo, a Robin Hood-like figure, and his loyal followers use a Roman ruin in Medieval Lombardy as their headquarters as they conduct an insurgency against their Hessian conquerors.

Director:

Jacques Tourneur

Writer:

Waldo Salt

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Virginia Mayo, Robert Douglas

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Dardo Bartoli
Virginia Mayo	...	Anne de Hesse
Robert Douglas	...	Marchese Alessandro de Granazia
Aline MacMahon	...	Nonna Bartoli
Frank Allenby	...	Count 'The Hawk' Ulrich
Nick Cravat	...	Piccolo
Lynn Baggett	...	Francesca (as Lynne Baggett)
Gordon Gebert	...	Rudi Bartoli - Dardo's Son
Norman Lloyd	...	Apollo - The Troubador
Victor Kilian	...	Mazzoni - Apothecary
Francis Pierlot	...	Papa Pietro
Robin Hughes	...	Skinner

Storyline

Twelfth-century Lombardy lies under the iron heel of German overlord Count Ulrich 'The Hawk', but in the mountains, guerillas yet resist. Five years before our story, Ulrich stole away the pretty wife of young archer Dardo who, cynical rather than embittered, still has little interest in joining the rebels. But this changes when his son, too, is taken from him. The rest is lighthearted swashbuckling, plus romantic interludes with lovely hostage Anne.

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Plot Keywords:

lombardy | insurgency | 12th century | castle | acrobatics | 

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Taglines:

The Challenge is Hurled From the Ramparts ! He'll Fight to the Death For the Love of His Life !

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 July 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hawk and the Arrow

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Norma-F.R. Productions,Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Veteran stuntman Duke Green was seriously injured doing a stunt in this film. He was supposed to catch his foot in a snare on a forest pathway and be whipped upright off his feet. The rigging from the platform above him broke, and he plunged to the ground, breaking his neck. He eventually recovered to a degree and did some minor stuntwork in the years following, but the injury effectively ended his 25-year career as a stuntman.

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Goofs

Just as the boy Rudy is captured by the soldiers (and when he should be frightened), you see him grinning quite broadly at someone off-camera.

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Quotes

Skinner: ...we're civilized and the art of civilization is doing natural things in an unnatural way.

User Reviews

swashbuckling Derring Do

Story is about 12th Century Lombardy under the iron heel of German Overlord Count Ulrich "the Hawk', but guerrillas resist. The plot begins five years before this time when Ulrich steals away the pretty wife of Archer Dardo who has no interest in joining the rebels. But this changes when his son is take from him. Burt Lancaster plays Dardo and Virginia Mayo plays his wife Anne. What steals away from the movie are the real actual acrobatics of warfare in those days. Fantastic circus performers show their skills. Lancaster, himself, was a circus performer, and certainly shows his muscular skills in this! Great fun!