The Spanish Sword

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The Spanish Sword
"The Spanish Sword" (1962).png
Directed by Ernest Morris
Written by Brian Clemens (story)
Produced by
Cinematography Walter J. Harvey (as Jimmy Harvey)
Edited by Peter Pitt
Music by Bill LeSage
Production
company
Distributed by United Artists Corporation (UK)
Release date
  • January 1962 (1962-01)(UK)
Running time
62 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Spanish Sword is a low budget 1962 British second feature ('B') [1] adventure film directed by Ernest Morris and starring Ronald Howard, June Thorburn and Nigel Green. [2] [3] [4] It was written by Brian Clemens and produced by The Danzigers.

Contents

A knight protects the treasure of Henry III of England from a thieving baron.

Plot

Rebellion breaks out during the reign of Henry III, and a brave knight foils the plans of a baron to steal the treasure of the King.

Cast

Production

It was the last film shot at New Elstree Studios, wrapping production on 4 December 1961. [5]

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Loyal knighthood-versus-treacherous tyranny in the reign of Henry III: unconvincing swordplay, tame characterisation and incident, direction without spark." [6]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Although it lacks scope the film has a robust story and a rousing final scene. ... This subject is one which lends itself to spectacle, but is denied it here. What it really lacks is scope and punch and this half-hearted approach mitigates against conviction, but hearty and robust encounters and a rousing finale accompanied by moderate suspense will hold the not too critical audience. Ronald Howard is a rather anaemic knight as Clovell and the role of Eleanor makes few demands upon June Thorburn while Nigel Green is a little too emphatic as the bombastic Breaute. The country settings are pleasing and the costumes give a more or less accurate picture of the period to bolster up the far-fetched plot." [7]

TV Guide wrote: "a weak script is saved by some impressive battle scenes and authentic-looking costuming." [8]

References

  1. ↑ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 94. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "The Spanish Sword". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  3. ↑ "The Spanish Sword (1962)". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009.
  4. ↑ "The Spanish Sword (1962) – Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013.
  5. ↑ Gruner, Tony (7 December 1961). "Television". Kinematograph Weekly . p. 20 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ↑ "The Spanish Sword". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 30 (348): 120. 1 January 1963. ProQuest   1305831437.
  7. ↑ "The Spanish Sword". Kine Weekly . 554 (2909): 27. 4 July 1963. ProQuest   3127066932.
  8. ↑ "The Spanish Sword". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019.
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