The Black Rose DVD

12th century England: when the thuggish Norman overlords threaten to imprison Saxon noble Walter of Gurnie (Power, sporting a severe 'pudding bowl' hair style), he fle... Read on

12th century England: when the thuggish Norman overlords threaten to imprison Saxon noble Walter of Gurnie (Power, sporting a severe 'pudding bowl' hair style), he flees oversees. In the Holy Land, he falls in with Mongol warlord Bayan (Welles), who sends him further still, into China. But no matter how far he travels, Walter can't outrun his destiny.

Armed with a big budget and painted with a broad brush, The Black Rose is a fine example of a 1950's blockbuster. As with all blockbusters, it majors in spectacle and excitement. But although the film is suitably replete with battles and swordplay, director Henry Hathaway doesn't neglect other areas. It's a stunningly beautiful picture (the great cameraman Jack Cardiff deserves most of the credit for that) and brims with engaging performances: it's hardly surprising that Welles – on sabbatical from Othello – has fun as the rapacious Bayan but he's complemented by others, especially Power who was seldom better than he was as the conflicted Walter.

A superb adventure and a fine slice of Hollywood bravado. Hide