The Prince and the Pauper (1978)
Riding high on the success of The Three Musketeers
(and its sequel The Four Musketeers) producers Alexander
and Ilya Salkind rallied several of the same cast and crew to
make this adaption of Mark Twain's novel. This film, however
(originally titled Crossed Swords in its theatrical run),
was a box-office failure and was never, to my knowledge, released
on video. Happily, Anchor Bay Entertainment continue their trend
of rescung obscure (but fine) movies from oblivin to make availiable
this terrifically entertaining movie. (The DVD contains the film
in both widescreen anf pan and scan, as well as the original
theatrical trailers.)
Although Musketeers director Richard Lester is absent,
the production is guided by the skillful Richard Fleischer (20,000
Leagues Uner the Sea), and The Prince and the Pauper
retains many of the elements which made the Musketeers
movies so entertaining - satirical wit, exciting fight scenes,
and just a little "chamber pot" humor. Mark Lester
is fabulous in th edual role of Prince Edward/Tom Canty, ad is
surrounded by a first-rate cast. As Miles Hendon, Oliver Reed
brings his gruff intensity to role, which he plays as a volatile
drnk (though admittedly Reed is more or less playing himself).
Charlton Heston is also superb as the dying Henry VIII.
Although rotting away from gout and syphilis, Henry's vengeful
spite is undiminished, and Heston's performance ranks amog the
best portrayls of this notorious monarch. Special mention must
also go to Lalla Wad for her feisty performance in the role of
future monarch Elizabeth I.
Cameos by great character actors also abound, among them George
C. Scott, Ernest Bognine, and Rex Harrison (as the Duke of Norfolk).
Only Raquel Welch spoils the otherwise first-rate cast. Welch's
bimbo-ish persona was a great asset in The Three Musketeers,
but here works against her attempt to play a noblewoman (as does
her sharp American accent).
Maurice Jarre's raucous score is heroic and appealingly over-the-top, while the art department does a wonderful job at depicting the contrast between the livig conitions of high and low - the streets of London are gritty and austere, with sewage trenches carved into their muddy streets.
The Prince and the Pauper is not as good nor clever
a film as The Three Musketeers, but it is very entertaining
and an enjoyably good time.
Paul Andrew MacLean
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