TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
The Black Shield Of Falworth [DVD] [1954]
![The Black Shield Of Falworth [DVD] [1954]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517u%2B2gZiSL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £9.99 (subject to change)
Outstanding Classic
Review date: 2010-06-07 Rating: 8 out of 10
As most films are down to personal taste, I'm purely going to review the quality of the blu ray version.
This film has been one of my favourites since I was a kid and I've seen it in every format available from TV, VIDEO, DVD and now this BLU RAY copy.
I can safely say its awesome! To see such a high quality picture from such an old film is incredible. You can now see every detail from each hair in the horses mane to the type of material used in each costume whether its velvet or silk etc...
The only reason I haven't given this film a 5 star rating is because it seems that they forgot to enhance a couple of the scenes and they remain in there original state. Also, in the farm house fight at the begining, it seems they have forgotten to add the sound effects. there are swords clashing with no sound and pots breaking without the smash. Luckily this is the only scene this happens.
On the whole I can highly recommend this to fans of the film. 4.5/ 5
Similar Products
- Prince Valliant (1954) [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
- Taras Bulba [DVD] [1962]
- Captain Scarlett [DVD] [1952]
- Sea Devils [DVD] [1952]
- Knights of the Round Table [All Region] [import]
Reviews
The Black Shield Of Falworth.
Review date: 2010-04-20 Rating: 4 out of 10
First of all, let me say that this film is worth watching only if , like me, you are a fan of the lovely Janet Leigh. This is an attempt by 1950s Hollywood to go where it certainly should'nt have bothered. Stirling Hayden looking a total Mary as a knight, Tony Curtis not fitting in to the part well as a knight errant, the plot is thinner than my hair and all the accents are terrible. You could, however watch this for a decent laugh,as its harmless stuff.The Black Shield Of Falworth [DVD] [1954]
The Black Cheese of Falworth
Review date: 2010-01-16 Rating: 6 out of 10
It doesn't take much knowledge of film history to suss out exactly what type of film we're presented with here.
Since it was produced in the U.S. in the mid-50's, we're safe in assuming that it's not all that creditable as a source of historical edification. Also, from seeing Tony Curtis' name slotted in the lead, we can expect that it wasn't entirely an a-list vehicle, (despite the fact that this film served as the first outing in the use of Cinemascope). And, since the movie was directed by a man more famed amongst professionals as a cameraman than he is recognizable to the layman as a director, we can deduce this is a movie prettier to look at than it is to enjoy as a narrative.
But really, those are all of the cons, and on the happier side of criticism there are a few merits to tag onto it as well.
In the instances where scenes are played for cheek rather than tat earnest, there are a few good laughs to be found, (and almost all have to do with the Leigh character). Additionally, the film is quite beautifully lit, and the color work is particularly smart for its period, (although you can tell Mate isn't quite that comfortable in arranging his compositions for this new ratio). And lastly, while it's a minor point that probably wouldn't be considered a plus by all, I take some pleasure in noting that the chain-mail blouse Leigh sports in one scene must have been very cold indeed, as it comes to two sharp points in a way that's bound to claim the attentions of most, (if not all) heterosexual men. For America in the 1950's, this had to be scandalous, (although you'll hear no complaints from me) and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it sparked some consternation back in the day.
All told, if you're a fan of this period of films, and looking for an unassuming G-rated diversion, that's exactly what you'll find. If you're looking for something that approximates the virtues of the Michael Curtiz/Errol Flynn "Adventures of Robin Hood", you'll be disappointed.
As a note to those who pay special mind to picture quality, I have the standard def DVD edition, and have to say that while this comes from Eureka, it doesn't seem to equal the quality of the Masters of Cinema DVD's in terms of sharpness of transfer, (the resolution seems rather soft). So if you have access to a blu-ray player, I'm sure it's worth the added investment of one pound to go for that edition instead--especially as neither edition offers special features of any kind.
Before closing, though, I would like to add that, in honor of director Rudolph Mate, anyone interested in the history and craft of cinema should look up his credits as cinematographer at imdb; they run from Dreyer's "The Passion of Joan of Arc", (as well as "Michael" and "Vampyr") to Orson Welles' "Lady from Shanghai". Between those, there are outings with Hitchcock, ("Foreign Correspondent") Lubitsch, ("To Be or Not to Be") and others, (including "Pride of the Yankees").
Comparing Mate's work, even in "Falworth", against Guy Ritchie's recent "Sherlock Holmes" flic, (which I've seen recently at the theatre, and confess to having enjoyed somewhat) it's disheartening to see what's been lost in sacrificing artful lighting for the sake of digital imagery.
Yondah lies the castle of my faddah!
Review date: 2009-11-17 Rating: 8 out of 10
Here's Universal Studios first CinemaScope picture, but more importantly, the first anamorphic scope picture in Technicolor (all of the 20th Century Fox premiere releases were in Color by DeLuxe). This EUREKA high-definition transfer is first-rate, and a benchmark for continuing Blu-ray masters of classic films.
Curtis and Leigh were hot mid-century contract players for Universal at the time this matinee swashbuckler was released, and that low-budget studio's set pieces are quite evident throughout this production. Universal didn't jump on the CinemaScope stereophonic bandwagon either. Still, it's a quaint costume potboiler with loads of 1950's nostalgia working for it. Wouldn't it be great to see Blu-Ray transfers of other great early scope adventures like KING OF THE KHYBER RIFLES, THE EGYPTIAN, SEVEN CITIES OF GOLD, MOONFLEET etc. etc. etc. etc....
the wow factor
Review date: 2009-11-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
This movie was made in 1954, YES 1954, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE MARVEL THAT THIS FILM HAS LASTED IN SUCH A PIN SHARP CONDITION, I LOVED IT TOOK ME BACK TO THE GOOD DAY WHEN ALL THE FAMILY COULD GO TOGETHER, A CAST OF THOUSANDS, A CAST OF GREAT STARS,FANTASTIC COLOUR, PLEASE PLEASE MAKE SURE U GET A COPY,I HAVE WATCHED IT FOUR TIMES ALREADY ,Im told it was the first CINEMASCOPE movie, but u may say otherwise, well if u miss this release your collection will be missing a land mark, sit back and enjoy..(I MIGHT MAKE IT FIVE)
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Tony Curtis
Janet Leigh
Creators:
Tony Curtis (Primary Contributor)
Janet Leigh (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Eureka Entertainment
Manufacturer: Eureka Entertainment
EAN: 5060000402827
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-11-10
Universal product code (UPC): 506000040287
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1954
Language: English (Unknown)