The Flame and the Arrow (1950)

Country: USA
Director: Jacques Tourneur
Production Co: Warner Bros. Pictures,Warner Bros.
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 7.0/10
Length: 88 mins

Storyline

Twelfth-century Lombardy lies under the iron heel of German overlord Count Ulrich 'The Hawk', but in the mountains, guerillas yet resist. Five years before our story, Ulrich stole away the pretty wife of young archer Dardo who, cynical rather than embittered, still has little interest in joining the rebels. But this changes when his son, too, is taken from him. The rest is lighthearted swashbuckling, plus romantic interludes with lovely hostage Anne.—Rod Crawford

Plot Keywords

12th century, archery, rebellion, medieval times, bow and arrow, crossbow, father son relationship, oppression, epic battle, hostage, castle, acrobatics, men in tights, betrayal, man tied up, hanging

Short Review

Tourneur, working with a script by Waldo Salt, turns the medieval action-adventure tale into a symbol of the French Resistance in the Second World War and locates its roots in class warfare.