There are comparatively few films about the English Civil War,the best being Ken Hughs' Cromwell which features Richard Harris as Oliver Cromwell.This gives both sides a fair hearing,although personally I do not believe in the divine right of kings and like Cromwell believe that kings should rule through Parliament.Oliver Cromwell was very much a warts and all character and though still reviled in Ireland turned the Parliamentary Army into one of the finest armies the world has ever known.They were known as the Ironsiders,and were far removed from the incompetent swordsmen that they are usually shown as,e.g.The Scarlet Blade and the film under review here.
By far the most realistic film of the Civil War was The Witchfinder General,an extremely unpleasant violent though realistic film which didn't pull its punches.
The Moonraker is a much gentler film which gained a "U"Certificate and on its own level quite exciting.George Baker plays, as another reviewer puts it. a scarlet pimpernel type character helping Royalists escape to France.Although Baker is no Cornel Wilde he is rather good in the role.There are many other pleasures to be found not least John Le Mesurier's take on Cromwell.The plot concerns the Moonraker's attempts to help the future King Charles 2nd (rather well played by Gary Raymond) to escape to France.They are ensconced in an inn,all in disguise of course,while the Moonraker tries to arrange passage on a ship.Among the other guests is the lovely Sylvia Sims who is waiting for her Roundhead fiancé to turn up,he is scouring the countryside looking for the future King.When Baker puts on the old charm she soon melts.Also present is one Edmund Tyler,a Roundhead secret agent,a thoroughly nasty piece of work and a superb classic villain.Peter Arne,a poor mans Robert Douglas,specialised in such roles,always very hissable.
The chap who saves the day is a cavalier gentleman by the name of Mr Parfitt whose one purpose in life is riotous living,a very loud larger than life man who without giving away too much gives his life so the King can escape.
The wonderful character actor Paul Whitson Jones steals all the scenes he is in.
The climatic sword fight between Tyler and the Moonraker is brilliantly staged and there are no prizes for guessing who wins.
Sylvia Sims fiancé turns up,Colonel Beaumont played by Marius Goring,who unusually for a Roundhead is portrayed as a decent honourable man and when he realises the King has escaped he allows his fiancé to join the Moonraker.He is certain that the Innkeeper,his wife and son were implicated in the plot and in an act of mercy he does not press charges against them.
All in all a perfect film for a wet afternoon to watch while armed with a cup of tea and the biscuit tin.Why don't they make films like this now?
By far the most realistic film of the Civil War was The Witchfinder General,an extremely unpleasant violent though realistic film which didn't pull its punches.
The Moonraker is a much gentler film which gained a "U"Certificate and on its own level quite exciting.George Baker plays, as another reviewer puts it. a scarlet pimpernel type character helping Royalists escape to France.Although Baker is no Cornel Wilde he is rather good in the role.There are many other pleasures to be found not least John Le Mesurier's take on Cromwell.The plot concerns the Moonraker's attempts to help the future King Charles 2nd (rather well played by Gary Raymond) to escape to France.They are ensconced in an inn,all in disguise of course,while the Moonraker tries to arrange passage on a ship.Among the other guests is the lovely Sylvia Sims who is waiting for her Roundhead fiancé to turn up,he is scouring the countryside looking for the future King.When Baker puts on the old charm she soon melts.Also present is one Edmund Tyler,a Roundhead secret agent,a thoroughly nasty piece of work and a superb classic villain.Peter Arne,a poor mans Robert Douglas,specialised in such roles,always very hissable.
The chap who saves the day is a cavalier gentleman by the name of Mr Parfitt whose one purpose in life is riotous living,a very loud larger than life man who without giving away too much gives his life so the King can escape.
The wonderful character actor Paul Whitson Jones steals all the scenes he is in.
The climatic sword fight between Tyler and the Moonraker is brilliantly staged and there are no prizes for guessing who wins.
Sylvia Sims fiancé turns up,Colonel Beaumont played by Marius Goring,who unusually for a Roundhead is portrayed as a decent honourable man and when he realises the King has escaped he allows his fiancé to join the Moonraker.He is certain that the Innkeeper,his wife and son were implicated in the plot and in an act of mercy he does not press charges against them.
All in all a perfect film for a wet afternoon to watch while armed with a cup of tea and the biscuit tin.Why don't they make films like this now?