Quentin Durward

CinemaSerf

This is probably my favourite Sir Walter Scott story. In this rendition, Robert Taylor is the valiant "Quentin Durward" sent by his impoverished Scottish uncle to assess the suitability of the fabulously wealthy Kay Kendall "Isabelle" as a potential wife. Along the way he becomes involved in the political intrigues of Louis XI (Robert Morley) and his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy (Alec Clunes) as they vie for control of France. It is a great adventure story, lots of twists and turns and plenty of action; even some humour from Morley and an excellent George Cole as "Hayraddin" and the acrobatic campanology at the end is great. Maybe the acting lacks any depth but the photography captures the splendour of the French court perfectly, and all-in-all it is a fun film to watch.