That Lady (1955)

In 1570, widowed Princess Ana de Mendoza becomes the love object of a deadly rivalry between her cousin Don Inigo, King Philip II of Spain and his secretary of state Antonio Perez.

Director:

Terence Young

Writers:

Kate O'Brien (play), Sy Bartlett (screenplay)

Stars:

Olivia de Havilland, Gilbert Roland, Paul Scofield

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Credited cast:
Olivia de Havilland	...	Ana de Mendoza
Gilbert Roland	...	Antonio Perez
Paul Scofield	...	King Philip II of Spain
Françoise Rosay	...	Bernardine
Dennis Price	...	Mateo Vasquez
Anthony Dawson	...	Don Inigo
Robert Harris	...	Cardinal
Peter Illing	...	Diego
José Nieto	...	Don Juan de Escobedo
Christopher Lee	...	Captain
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ángel Peralta	...	Rejoneador
Fernando Sancho	...	Diego
Andy Shine	...	Little Fernando

Storyline

Ana, the Princess of Eboli, wears a black patch over her right eye, where she was blinded as a youth when fighting a duel in defense of her King, the despotic Philip. Thereafter, she and the monarch were close friends, although his passion for her was never consummated. She marries one of Philip's ministers, bore him a son, and soon became a widow. Now Philip calls upon her to assist in coaching a commoner, Antonio Perez, for the office of First Secretary to the Crown. The result is more than Philip bargained for as Ana and Antonio become lovers and create a scandal in court, always the scene of perpetual intrigue. Philip has Antonio arrested on a drummed-up charge of murder, and when Ana refuses to leave Madrid, she too is arrested. After spending time in jail, she is transferred to her home and held in check. Antonio escapes and makes his way to Ana, who persuades him to leave the country and take her son.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | based on play | 1500s | year 1570 | 16th century | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck was so impressed by the early rushes of Paul Scofield in the role of King Philip II that he ordered the role to be enlarged as filming proceeded.

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Connections

Referenced in Terence Young: Bond Vivant (2000)

User Reviews

British/Spanish co-production shot in Spain about historical characters : Felipe II , Antonio Perez and Ana De Mendoza

'That lady' being starred by a big name cast as Olivia De Havilland , Paul Scofield , Gilbert Roland , Christopher Lee , Dennis Price , among others . Based on historic deeds about intrigue and power-fight in Philip II court ; dealing with Ana, (Olivia De Havilland) Countess of Melito and Duchess of Pastrana , married Rui Gomes Silva , 1st Prince of Éboli when she was 13 years old (1553) , by recommendation of the regent of Spain , the future King Philip II . Her husband was a chief councillor and favourite with Philip , and from 1559 Prince of Éboli. Although she may have been blind in one eye, the Princess of Éboli was considered very attractive and her gorgeous beauty is difficult to resist . She was an energetic person , and prominent in court life . This costumer movie is partially based on real events . It's developed in the court of Felipe II (Paul Scofield) , the Prudent King , this well-known monarch governed in domains where the sun never set . We should have the same intelligence as this monarch and take advantage of the power of this story and of its marvellous renaissance background . The Duke of Alba and other 'favorites' as Mateo Vazquez (Dennis Price) have for some time been relegated to a lesser role in the Court , due to the growing power of the Kings most influential secretary , Prime Minister Antonio Pérez (Gilbert Roland) . Meantime , the situation of Low Countries ruled under charismatic illegitimate Juan of Austria , his illegitimate half-brother is extremely dangerous and delicate . It was an inhospitable place which is in constant conflict and where those who possess privileged information can acquire immense fortunes . The protestant rebellion and the harassing by William of Orange make Flandes an uncomfortable place . Escobedo (José Nieto) , John of Austria's personal secretary is sent to ask for help to stifle revolts . Furthermore , John of Austria attempts to begin new royal line by marrying to Mary, Queen of Scots . While , Ana of Mendoza , married one of Philip's minister , bore 10 sons , and soon became a widow Duchess of Pastrana and princess of Eboli and one of her friends was the queen, Isabel de Valois . After her husband's death in 1573, she spent three years in a convent, but returned to public life in 1576 accompanied by her maid (Françoise Rosay) . Ana wears a patch over her right eye and is an ambitious woman with selfish aims , forming an alliance at Court with the King's undersecretary of state, Antonio Pérez . Presumptuous and arrogant Antonio Perez is the first secretary to the Crown . Ana of Mendoza and Antonio soon become lovers . Juan De Escobedo regaining the king's brother favour attempts to force measures over the rebels . Escobedo comes from Flandes to Madrid , but he aware passionate romance between Antonio Perez and Ana Mendoza . He witnesses the murky and passionate romance and it could create a scandal in court , always the scenario of perpetual intrigue . From that moment on , Juan De Escobedo becomes the target of a series of failed attempts on his life . Then , a deadly conflict takes place . Later on , Antonio supported by his helper Diego (Fernando Sancho) getaways , but he is imprisoned and tortured ; he escapes again and makes his way to Ana , who persuades him to flee the country .

This costumer/melodrama recreates faithfully the historical fact , as 430 years separate us from the events are to narrate , it is really important to highlight the huge significance that the Kingdom of Spain had back then , as the shadows still hide from the public this great historic moment , and the significance of such deeds . The picture contributes to historical , artistic and cultural memory of an era , with a look back to the past , offering us an interesting adaptation based on important facts . This is a enough budget but slowly-paced costumer that has Olivia De Havilland as the one-eyed Ana of Mendoza , she appears beautiful , sensitive and sweet , in spite of wearing a black eye-patch . Gilbert Roland gives a convincing character as astute and mean Antonio of Mendoza . Dennis Price plays with enormous distinction as Mateo Vazquez , the incorruptible as well as cunning adviser . Personality and charisma of Paul Scofield's portrayal as one of the most remarkable European kings that ever reigned . The rest of the supporting cast is nice , such as : Fernando Sancho , Françoise Rosay , Anthony Dawson , Christopher Lee and José Nieto as Escobedo . Extraordinary costume design accompanied by colorful cinematography filmed on location . Luxurious sets make excellent use of real locations in Spain and it has a look of a great production , including colorful photography by the great cameraman Robert Krasker . The motion picture , based upon Kate O'Brien's novel ¨That Lady¨ , was professionally directed by Terence Young , though it results to be slow-moving and tiring , at times .

Other films dealing with this actual happenings are the followings : "The Escorial Conspiracy" (2008) by Antonio del Real with Julia Ormond , Jason Isaacs , Jordi Molla , Joaquin De Almeida , Juanjo Puigcorbe , Fabio Testi and TV miniseries "La Princesa De Éboli" (2010) by Belén Macias with Belén Rueda as Princesa De Éboli , Hugo Silva as Antonio Pérez , Eduard Fernández as Felipe II , Pedro Casablanc as Mateo Vázquez , Roberto Enríquez as Juan De Escobedo and Michelle Jenner as Ana De Austria . In addition , there was a character called Princess Eboli based on Ana in Schiller's play Don Carlos, Infant Von Spanien, and Verdi's opera Don Carlos .

Details

Country:

UK Spain USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Dame des Königs

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atalanta Film, Chapalo Films S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1