Crossed Swords (1977)

A poor boy and the Prince of Wales exchange identities, but events force the pair to experience each other's lives as well.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Berta Domínguez D. (original screenplay) (as Berta Dominguez D.), Pierre Spengler (screenplay)

Stars:

Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Mark Lester

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oliver Reed	...	Miles Hendon
Raquel Welch	...	Lady Edith
Mark Lester	...	Edward / Tom
Ernest Borgnine	...	John Canty
George C. Scott	...	Ruffler
Rex Harrison	...	The Duke of Norfolk
David Hemmings	...	Hugh Hendon
Harry Andrews	...	Hertford
Julian Orchard	...	St.John
Murray Melvin	...	Prince's Dresser
Lalla Ward	...	Princess Elizabeth
Felicity Dean	...	Lady Jane
Sybil Danning	...	Mother Canty
Graham Stark	...	Jester
Preston Lockwood	...	Father Andrew

Storyline

Tom Canty is a poor English boy who bears a remarkable resemblance to Edward, Prince of Wales and son of King Henry VIII. The two boys meet and decide to play a joke on the court by dressing in each other's clothes, but the plan goes awry when they are separated and each must live the other's life.

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Plot Keywords:

slapstick comedy | boy | prince | king | king henry viii | 

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Taglines:

Another rollicking adventure from the creators of The Three Musketeers.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 March 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crossed Swords

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Film Production,Prince and the Pauper Film Export A.G.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 121 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place from January 26 to February 20, 1547.

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Goofs

After Miles Hendon fights with John Canty & his neighbours, Hendon lies apparently dead on the ground. One of Canty's neighbours warns Canty: "...The police'll beat on ye, even if no one else does..." The term "police" did not exist in England until the eighteenth century.

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Quotes

Tom Canty: If you think the food may be poisoned, why not feed it to a dog, or a plumber?

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Connections

Version of The DuPont Show of the Month: The Prince and the Pauper (1957)

User Reviews

Woth watching, but never quite takes off

Don't get me wrong I loved this film as a kid, but after revisiting it after five or six years, it didn't quite gel for me. Of course the sets, costumes and cinematography are superb, and the score is rousing enough. And the story is delightful, despite the fact it has been done to death so many times, while there is some great acting from Oliver Reed, Rex Harrison, George C. Scott and especially Ernest Borgnine in very meaty roles. However, despite all the extravagance and the fine acting from the supporting cast, there are shortcomings. Mark Lester is very unconvincing in the lead double role, while Raquel Welch looks alluring but she is left with little to work with. The direction never feels solid enough, while the pacing is uneven and the action like the direction lacks solidity. Overall, disappointing but worthwhile film adaptation. 5/10 Bethany Cox