Screen versions of historical novels in cinema have always been very popular. One of the proofs of this is 3 films shot from the book of Walter Scott. More than half a century ago, the premiere of the American version of the film "Quentin Dorward" took place, and in 1971 - a joint French-German work, released in the format of the series.
But the film released in 1988 by the domestic Mosfilm and the Romanian film studio Bukarestti deserves special attention. The director of the film is Sergey Tarasov, a recognized master of adaptation of historical novels. Is it worth the time to watch this movie? We will try to understand the article by evaluating the movie according to several criteria.
Compliance with the original
In the realities of modern life, it often happens that a person first watches a movie, and then reads a book. The plot is as close as possible to the work of Walter Scott, which allows you to get as close as possible acquainted with the work of the writer. The episodes of the film are almost completely consistent with the chapters of the book. When viewing, the feeling does not leave that the director instead of the script was in the hands of a book by Walter Scott.
In other existing adaptations of Quentin Dorward’s adventures, the plot “lives its own life”. Particularly noticeable differences from the book in the American version. For example, at the very beginning of the film, a priori poor (literally on the verge of poverty) main character appears in a chic velvet suit and on an expensive thoroughbred horse.
Actor play
The depth of acting is a trump card that distinguishes domestic cinema from most foreign films. A whole galaxy of bright and talented actors is involved in the film by Sergey Tarasov: Olga Kabo, Alexander Koznov, Leonid Kulagin, Alexander Lazarev, Yuri Kuznetsov, Alexander Pashutin, Alexander Yakovlev.
The skill of the actors allowed the viewer to convey the entire ambiguity and depth of the 15th century France. For example, Alexander Lazarev (Karl XI) and Alexander Yakovlev (Karl Smely) masterly performed the roles of the monarchs fighting for political influence. On the one hand, long-standing opponents are ready to do anything to strengthen their positions. The gaze of the king of France is the gaze of a kite, just waiting for an opportunity to seize a gapeous prey, and the duke of Burgundy sleeps and sees how to teach a lesson to his arrogant overlord. On the other hand, under the masks of cruel and decisive rulers, sentimental notes sometimes appear, allowing ordinary people to be seen in them.
The main roles were then played by the very young Alexander Koznov (Quentin Dorward) and Olga Cabo (Countess Isabella de Croix). The actors managed to show not just love or sympathy for each other. On the screen, the viewer sees true, high, all-conquering love, admirable.
Despite the fact that for Olga Kabo this role was one of the first works in the cinema, she coped brilliantly. The image of the young countess, forced to flee her own castle under the auspices of the king of France, perfectly fit the future movie star. The phrase of the actress "Goodbye Burgundy! Goodbye, my Brockemon, ”said at the very beginning of the tape, many associate it with the entire film.
Alexander Koznov in the role of the royal shooter Quentin Dorward is an example of chivalry and nobility. In the actor’s game, there is no pathos, no ridiculous antics, no pursuit of each skirt, which compares favorably with the domestic film adaptation of foreign versions. At the same time, the protagonist looks very worthy and spectacular in the frame.
An interesting fact: the director of the film Sergey Tarasov also starred in the film, playing the role of the bishop of the city of Liege, who was killed by robbers.
Music for the film
The musical accompaniment of the film is made at the highest level. Instrumental music creates the effect of maximum immersion in the historical era. The melodies are not intrusive and pleasantly complement an interesting plot. Particularly noteworthy is the song "Oh, my knight ...", performed by the heroine of Olga Kabo. It is not surprising that the heart of Quentin Dorward, who became an involuntary listener, burned with love for a young girl.
Costumes
This is not to say that the costumes in the film are bad. There are many of them, they are bright and quite consistent with the descriptions of Walter Scott.
Questions are raised about the costumes used in battle scenes. In almost all battles, fighting heroes are clad in metal closed helmets. There is practically no other armor on them.
In those scenes where the characters appear in full armor, they look like tin cans and move with such an eerie rattle that they are grinding their teeth. What is it? A directorial move, lack of props or an overzealous attempt to fit the historical era? However, the film was released almost 30 years ago, and for that time the costumes are very good.
It is interesting that in American and European films shot much earlier, the quality of the costumes is in no way inferior, and sometimes even surpasses the domestic version. Perhaps this is due to the limited budget of the Soviet film, released in difficult times for the country.
Eventually
The main advantages of the picture are a wonderful acting, pleasant music and correspondence to the original source, successfully “packed” in a relatively short timing - 97 minutes.
“The Adventures of Quentin Dorward, Arrow of the Royal Guard” - a film that should definitely be watched not only by lovers of historical novels, but also by ordinary viewers.