Fantastic!

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

While I prefer the 1923 version, the 1952 Scaramouche is still one of my favorite popcorn films. It has all the necessary ingredients for a classic old-fashioned swashbuckler: fencing, chases, a sumptuous historical setting, romance, and witty dialogue galore.All the actors do a fine job, especially Eleanor Parker as Andre's lover Lenore. I don't think she ever looked more beautiful than she does here. Janet Leigh is good, but her character is written as your typical smitten ingénue, giving her little to work with. Mel Ferrer is a great charismatic bad guy. Stewart Granger is adequate as the lead. His acting isn't what I would call stellar, but he's athletic and charming, and that's all that really matters.The action scenes are the best part of the whole film. I don't think I really need to sing the praises of the lengthy sword fight at the end, do I? Everyone else already has and in detail too.As fun as this movie is, I do have a few problems with it (SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD): 1) The romance between Andre and Aline is underdeveloped. He goes throughout the film thinking she is his sister, which of course changes his outlook on her entirely. Aline is still madly in love with him though. Andre does not discover the truth until the end and then he dumps Lenore (with whom he had more screen time and chemistry) for Aline. It's very unsatisfying.2) The reveal that Andre and the Marquis are brothers is handled clumsily. When Andre has the Marquis right where he wants him, he hesitates and does not go through with killing him. WHY? Lewis Stone comes on and explains to Andre that he unconsciously knew it was his own brother and could not kill him. That's a bit too convenient for me.(SPOILERS OVER) Despite the sometimes clunky writing, Scaramouche is still a fun and timeless adventure flick. I give it a seven.

Jimmy Grainger,lovely chap that he was,did not take many of his roles too seriously.Certainly in "Scaramouche"(more erudite pens than mine have gone to a lot of trouble in filling out the historical context) he had a lot of fun and even in his unhappy moments his sense of fun was never too far hidden. A nice line in striped tights did little to hide the fact that his legs were a bit muscular for a fencer,and Mr Mel Ferrer was much better equipped to wield the epee which he does with much aplomb. In the climactic swordfight(which was a devil of a long time coming,I must say)he comprehensively outplays Jimmy but contrives to lose;almost as though he was betting against himself. The French revolution is a fertile ground for film makers with good goodies and horrible baddies although I must say Miss Nina Foch made Marie Antoinette into a far more likable character than is usual. Thousands of innocents went to Madame La Guillotine in a bloodletting that is chilling to contemplate 220 - odd years later. But real life is never allowed to sneak into "Scaramouche",and it is all the better for it. All the same,if I was Mr Mel Ferrer I would be asking to see the judges' cards.......

If you love seeing dashing leading men running around in tight trousers,with sword fighting left right and centre then Scaramouche is right up your street.There are many scenes that wouldn't seem out of place in a silent comedy act and you actually don't need dialogue in many parts as everything is conveyed in the actors faces and actions.Credited with what is the longest on screen duel between Stewart Granger and Mel Ferrer this is a film filled with boundless energy,action and a mischievous spirit.This 1952 offering is a remake of the 1923 film of the same name.Set during the days of The French Revolution,Scaramouche follows the dashing playboy Andre Moreau(Stewart Granger)who is the illegitimate son of a wealthy nobleman.He is in love with the feisty and beautiful travelling player Lenore(Eleanor Parker)who tired of waiting for him to return to her agrees to marry a wealthy man who showers her with diamonds.On the day of her wedding Andre wins her back and she agrees to marry him instead.He ends up having to leave her when his best friend Phillipe De Valmorin(Richard Anderson)is suspected of writing material supporting the Revolution and writing under the name Marcus Brutus.The two go on the run and come up against the best fencer in all of France(who is also the cousin of Queen Marie Antoinette).The Marquis DeMaynes(Mel Ferrer)who after killing Phillipe makes an enemy in Andre who trains in the art of fencing to avenge the death of his friends.To escape the clutches of the Maquis Andre meets up with Lenore's travelling troupe and assumes the identity of masked comedian Scaramouche.It all leads to a breathtaking showdown in a Paris theatre that's a must for fans of sword fights.Try and see past the illogical and frankly daft plot holes that pop up along the way and just get lost in it's humour and fun.Featuring an enchanting performance from Janet Leigh as Aline De Gavrillac De Bourbon who may be Andre's half sister,who is also engaged to the Maquis.If your a fan of the dashing Stewart Granger and love adventure films filled with romance then this is one you should enjoy.

The robust Stewart Granger is "Scaramouche" in this 1952 adaptation of the Sabatini novel, and it's a good example of the kind of film MGM excelled at - it's a fast-moving adventure in beautiful color, with great production values.Granger plays Andre Moreau, who watches a friend killed in a sword fight with the Marquis (Mel Ferrer). Andre, alas, can't go after the Marquis - he can't handle a sword anywhere close enough. Instead, he joins a traveling company of actors and becomes "Scaramouche." He encounters romance, but he has plenty of time to learn how to use a sword. Finally, he and the Marquis meet again, in a long, exciting, swordfight that takes place in a theater, the highlight of the film.Very exciting movie in spots, gorgeous to look at, with strong performances by the well-cast Granger, Mel Ferrer, and the beautiful Eleanor Parker. A rousing adventure - if you like swashbuckler movies, don't miss this one!