the audience applauded

Thanks for the memories!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

SYNOPSIS: King Henry IV of England is dominated by the ambitious Earl of Alban. The Earl of Mackworth attempts to thwart his rival. Pawns in his strategy are the disgraced Myles Falworth and his sister, Meg, whose father was executed for treason.NOTES: Universal's first CinemaScope film was also released in a normal widescreen version… This is the second teaming of Tony Curtis and his real-life wife, Janet Leigh. Their first joint outing was in Paramount's Houdini (1953).COMMENT: For those of us who dote on the exploits of ye knightes of olde, "The Black Shield of Falworth" —especially in its richly pictorial CinemaScope version — is an absolute must. Howard Pyle's once-famous novel is vigorously brought to teeming life by as fine a group of players as such derring-do ever assembled. True, the accents of Mr. Curtis and Miss Leigh, don't altogether conjure up the medieval courts and pageants of Merrie England, but really those momentary distractions are of small account. What really matters is that both players not only look their parts but enter into their roles with enthusiasm and panache. This they definitely do. And of course, no such piffling complaints can be leveled against the delightfully villainous David Farrar, or suavely scheming Herbert Marshall and company. Here are 99 minutes packed with action and excitement, a bit of romance and even a jesting touch or two of welcome humor. And all not only briskly paced by director Rudolph Maté, but also most colorfully and vividly photographed by Irving Glassberg (a much under-rated cinematographer, if ever there was one).

The Black Shield of Falworth is the only other story I know that concerns itself with the time of Henry IV. He's played here by Ian Keith and the film like the Shakespeare plays about him concern efforts to topple him from his throne. But other than Prince Hal, played here by Dan O'Herlihy, the rest of the cast are fictional characters from a novel by Howard Pyle. Young Tony Curtis and his sister Barbara Rush have been raised in the forest by Rhys Williams. They are in fact of noble birth, but Dad was accused of treason, his lands forfeited and his family under a death sentence. They're sent still unaware of their identity to another nobleman's digs in this case Herbert Marshall's. Curtis trains first as a squire and then a knight by tough drill sergeant man at arms, Torin Thatcher. It's for the day he can challenge villain David Farrar and his equally villainous brother Patrick O'Neal for plotting against his father.Of course Curtis also falls for his then real life wife Janet Leigh who O'Neal is also interested in.The Black Shield of Falworth was the first Universal film in cinemascope and Universal was far more interested in the spectacle of the film than the story because they were competing with the small screen that was populating the homes of America. In his memoirs Tony Curtis says that the lack of interest in the story was all apparent, but that he did like working with director Rudolph Mate and his then wife Ms. Leigh.Favorite in the film however has to be Torin Thatcher. You won't forget this rough and rugged old knight with a Rooster Cogburn eyepatch and a staff to support him walking. Still he's one tough old bird. Coming in second is David Farrar who is plotting to take the throne away from Ian Keith.Which if you remember your Shakespeare was one that a lot of people felt he usurped from Richard II. So what we're watching The Black Shield of Falworth is just another reason why Ian Keith was not sleeping good at night.

To my mind, this is the best knights of olde movie ever made. Years ago it was the habit of British tv station BBC2 to have a movie on at 6pm most evenings and they were usually, either 40 & 50's westerns, historical yarns, melodramas or swashbucklers. One such film was The Black Shield of Falworth, I was a big fan of such films like The Vikings (Incidentally or co-incidentally both starred Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh) and decided to record this movie, if it was any good I'd keep it, but if not just tape over the damn thing. The movie was that good I still have it after 15/16 years. The plot is similar to Henty's Novel 'St George for England' in as much as it tells the story of a peasant boy ignorant of his noble blood for most of his upbringing. though that's where the similarities end. The American accents in a film set in medieval England are ludricrous, but the plot of the film is so engaging that you don't mind as much. Torin Thatcher gives us another scene stealing performance as the firm but fair Sir James and if it's possible, betters his performance as Humble Bellows in The Crimson Pirate. This film has everything, action, romance, subtle comedy, and an excellent music score. This is not one to miss and I can't wait to get this movie on DVD so i can give my old VHS copy a well deserved retirement.

My brother and I would wait and wiat and wait for this movie to be shown on TV on a classics show, and growing up loving D&D this was the closest thing we had for a movie that was clean and enjoyable dealing with the awesome subject matter and decient story line, and "OK" acting. But we did not care it had knights, and damsels, and kings, and jousting, etc... Great for the whole family and manI wish it would come to DVD!!!!Even the used VHS is $100, that is just too much for me!If you ever get to watch this film do yourself a favor and go see it without any expectations and realize the date it was made and you will enjoy it!