The Master of Ballantrae

Starring:Errol Flynn, Roger Livesey, Anthony Steel, Beatrice Campbell, Yvonne Furneaux, Felix Aylmer, Mervyn Johns, Charles Goldner, Ralph Truman, Francis De Wolff, Jacques Berthier, Sam Kydd, Jackie Taylor, Gillian Lynne, Jack Lambert (II), Arthur Mullard, Moultrie Kelsall, Charles Carson, Stephen Vercoe
Director: William Keighley
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Shot in Britain, the Scottish Highlands, and a quasi-Caribbean corner of Italy, The Master of Ballantrae has a goofy charm reminiscent of certain Michael Powell movies--a comparison encouraged by Jack Cardiff's magic-hour Technicolor and an exuberant costar turn for Roger Livesey. Something of an autumnal swashbuckler for Errol Flynn, it's also the last film for William Keighley, the starting director on Adventures of Robin Hood 15 years earlier. The Robert Louis Stevenson tale hop-skip-jumps through Bonnie Prince Charlie's bid to reclaim Scotland, the ensuing English crackdown, a bloody falling-out between brothers (Flynn and Anthony Steel), two overlapping romantic triangles, two assumed deaths (same guy), piracy on the high seas, yo-ho-ho in Tortuga, then back to Ballantrae for several showdowns--all in 89 minutes. Call it picaresque or just cockeyed, this amiable entertainment deserves rescuing from oblivion. Likewise the post-pretty-boy Flynn, whose jaded bonhomie plays into the quirky mix. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's story about a highlander who fights to make Bonnie Prince Charles King of England.

Customer Reviews:

Downside.......2007-02-07

As a huge Flynn fan I had never seen this film before. It certainly is not one of the best Flynn films, but it is a decent action adventure. Flynn is older and heavier looking, but still has the spark of a great leading man. The film itself is not faithful to the book, but it covers an awful lot of ground in 89 minutes. The color is very rich for a 50 year old film. The location scenes are beautiful. The stage sets are a little cheesey, but they do not take away from the overall film. If you are a Flynn fan, then this is a must buy for you. Pirates, swordplay, romance and more swordplay, everything you could want from a Flynn movie.

An Underrated Flynn Adventure.......2006-07-18

"The Master of Ballantrae" (1953) was an appropriate finale to Errol Flynn's 18-year career at Warner Brothers. Reunited with "Adventures of Robin Hood" co-director William Keighley, the aging star adds plenty of zest to this Robert Louis Stevenson adaptation. Jack Cardiff's on-location Technicolor photography is a tremendous asset. No classic, but far superior to the actor's latter-day vehicles.

Aging Swashbuckler.......2006-03-03

I would rate this movie as "just OK." It is a pretty typical Errol Flynn swahbuckling pirate movie, but he is visibly older and less fit than he was in his earlier films. This makes it slightly less appealing than his earlier and better films, such as "Captain Blood."

HIGHLANDER ROGUE PIRATE - NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THAN FLYNN.......2006-01-24

Robert Louis Stevenson's swashbuckling tale is given the royal Hollywood treatment as Errol Flynn plays Ballantrae Castle's Jamie Durisdeer. A courageous Highlander turned pirate to gain riches for his beloved home. A costume adventure that leaps out at you with it's breathtaking color and rousing score. Flynn is not as young here as he appeared in earlier outings such as, "The Sea Hawk" and "Captain Blood," but he's as entertaining as ever and top notch in his sword fighting scenes. Flynn is to wed his true love, however, his brother, played by Anthony Steel, is in love with her too. As the story progresses, Flynn gets betrayed to the British, and believes it was his own brother that did it. Beatrice Campbell and Yvonne Furneaux play Flynn's love interests. Once again Warner Bros. has done an exceptional job transferring the film to dvd, it looks amazing. I highly recommend this movie, as well as the "Errol Flynn Signature Collection" box set, which contains five great movies and a documentary of Flynn's career. The swashbuckler's "Captain Blood" and "The Sea Hawk" are included here, plus a fine period piece, "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex," co-starring the legendary Bette Davis. I also recommend the 1952 Stewart Granger adventure, "Scaramouche," En garde!

A Good, Poorly Known Swashbuckler.......2005-11-11

Errol Flynn was the master of swashbucklers and this one is a good example why. He slashes a swath through Scotland, down into the Caribean and back to Scotland again. The action takes place in the highlands, aboard pirate ships and in exotic parts. It involves love lost and lovers scorned. Brother is pitted against brother and treachery plays its part. It has all the elements and makes the most of them.

Flynn plays a Scottish noble. When the Jacobin rebellion reignites for the climax, the noble family hatches a plan for its own security. One son will fight for Bonnie Prince Charlie and the other will remain loyal to German George. That way, whichever way the rebellion goes, the family's title will remain safe. Flynn plays the elder, Jacobite son and his side loses. A personal betrayal makes the situation even more tenuous. Flynn has to flee the country for his life. The rest of the story concerns his ability to return to his love, and seek vengeance for his betrayal.

The action is pretty constant is this one and well done. The obligatory swooping around on available rigging, drapes etc. is present as is the swordplay. It's a winner.

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