A Disappointing Continuation

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Producer: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Copyright 8 December 1948 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. and Fairbanks Pictures, Inc. Released by Universal-International. New York opening at Loew's Criterion: 27 February 1949. U.S. release: February 1949. U.K. release: February 1950. Australian release: 14 April 1949. 8,513 feet. 94 minutes. Alternative title: The O'Flynn.SYNOPSIS: Staged in the eighteenth century, this story tells how a dashing young Irish landowner defeats Napoleon's plans to add Ireland to his empire.COMMENT: This little-known movie has a quality we greatly admire: enormous vitality and gusto. Fairbanks' sheer exuberance is so infectious we rejoice with him as he exclaims, "Castle O'Flynn", and are dispirited with him when he finds it to be falling apart. Helena Carter makes a gorgeous leading lady, radiant in Calthrop's costumes, while Richard Greene appears particularly well cast against type as the villain of the piece. Other welcome against-type castings are Ludwig Donath (Larry Parks' father in The Jolson Story) as the sinister Hendrigg and Patricia Medina as the not over-bright accomplice. Photography, sets, costumes notch up as wholly outstanding, and there is a bright music score. Astute film editing makes it appear Fairbanks is doing his own stunts, whereas in fact the more dangerous of them are doubled by David Sharpe (e.g. vaulting between the balconies, leaping onto the drawbridge). The action is brought to a happy conclusion by a traditional climax with the de rigeur sword duel between hero and villain resolved in a most unusual manner. All told, it comes as a most entertaining relief to find a hero whose cheek is not quite matched by his skill.OTHER VIEWS: This thrill-packed swashbuckler provides all audiences with outstanding entertainment. Expertly staged and directed, with superlative photography by none other than Arthur Edeson, this is a film in which Fairbanks Jr. goes close to emulating the famous action films produced by his father. Of course Fairbanks Sr. performed just about all his own stunt-work, whereas Junior falls back on a team of experts led by David Sharpe. Not that this matters as the doubling is so skilfully done that few if any people will tumble to the fact that the daring acrobatics they see on the screen, are not all the Fairbanks scion's own. — JHR writing as George Addison.

This film is a semi-comical adventure film starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as a charming, impoverished Irish aristocrat. Fairbanks Jr. has always been sidelined in most critics views. His father was one of the superstars of Hollywood in the high silent period from 1915 to 1929, and even essayed a few interesting sound films. As the heir of the family name, Fairbanks Jr. had to make his own way. He did, but most people still think of his father first when "Fairbanks" and "movies" are mentioned. Fairbanks Jr. did have some significantly good roles in variety: he was the insane Tsar Peter III in CATHERINE THE GREAT, he graced a number of comedies like THE YOUNG AT HEART, and he could play villains (Rupert of Henzau in THE PRISONER OF ZENDA) as well as heroes (THE CORSICAN BROTHERS). But his competition was the ever available Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, and David Niven. Two superstars and a up-and-coming actor (later Oscar winner). Fairbanks kept competing and making films (and later television) but he gradually got more involved with diplomatic affairs between the United States and Great Britain, which became his final home. It was his choice, and he did well there too - but it's a pity. He was a better than average actor. To me his best performance (aside from Rupert) is the doctor trying to flee an iron curtain country in STATE SECRET.He is at his charming best here, stumbling onto a conspiracy led by Richard Greene's Lord Sedgemonth to help a French invasion fleet get settled in Ireland and succeed in resting that country from British control. He also is trying to romance Helena Carter (a stiff aristocrat), and avoid the traps of Greene and his mistress Patricia Medina. All while keeping his charming, easy going manners. Witness the scene where he confronts the French general Otto Waldis, who catches him on a lie, but still continues drinking with him.The background of the film is true, but forgotten. In 1797 Wolfe Tone, the great Irish patriot, was in Paris trying to plot an invasion by the French revolutionary forces to free all of Ireland (Protestant and Catholic) of Britain. He was working with General Lazare Hoche and the great mutiny of the British fleet in that year would have been the best opportunity. But while France's government debated the plan, Hoche died suddenly. Within a year Napoleon Bonaparte was the leading general, and he was using resources to invade Egypt. Still a small force was sent to Ireland, but got bogged down there and were forced out by the British. Tone tried to start the timed revolt, but it was snuffed out. He was arrested but committed suicide. His leading aristocratic ally, Lord Edward Fitzgerald (the model for Greene's Lord Sedgemonth) was killed when he was being arrested. The revolt still went on, but was put down by the then Viceroy of Ireland, Charles, Marquis Cornwallis (yes, Cornwallis was far more successful in Ireland and India as a soldier and administrator than in the United States). It is this background that is behind the story of THE FIGHTING O'FLYNN.

For some reason, this film is not available for purchase anywhere. Strange, since so many worthless products are easy to locate. It is sad that this movie is so disregarded, in that this movie is Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.'s best performance. You could argue that Gunga Din is a better movie, and that is true. Still, Fairbanks' performance as O'Flynn far outshines his work in Gunga Din. He holds together a slim plot line, and has some of the wittiest dialog you will ever find in a movie. O'Flynn's character is a charmer, loved by men and women, and somewhat of a con man. The dialog has many nice touches. For example, O'Flynn knocks unconscious one of the French soldiers (Henry Brandon), who later gets the drop on O'Flynn. In an off-hand remark, O'Flynn says to the Frenchman, "You must have a terrible thick skull." A great touch. Perhaps because Fairbanks was the producer and wrote some of the screenplay, we are getting more than the run of the mill swashbuckler. His pursuit of the almost painfully prim Lady Benedetta (Helena Carter) is full of poetry, romance, and charm, and she even remarks that his words are "…very nimble and very Irish." The supporting cast are all veterans, and good performers. Aside from Helena Carter, Richard Greene portrays excellently the weak and corrupt Lord Sedgemonth. Arthur Shields and J.M. Kerrigan provide great repartee in the lighter moments. Patricia Medina is great as Lord Sedgemonth's paramour, Fancy Free, who "only likes the good life," and says the Lord Sedgemonth must do the right thing by her, "…give me money." Add to this a remarkably good musical score, and you have a great and entertaining movie. It is obvious that this film suffered from a small budget, since it was shot in black and white, and if nothing else, this film screams for color. Perhaps it could be looked upon as a lesson on how to do more with less. Fairbanks, in this film, is every bit of the "presumptuous popinjay" he is accused of being by Richard Greene. You could hardly spend a better 94 minutes.

In this lively adventure, a daring Irish leader tires to keep Napoleon from invading Ireland. There is some worry that The Little Corporal will attempt to take over Erin. Fairbanks, equally adroit with a saber, a rapier, a shillelagh, or a kiss, does a splendid job in what is almost, but not quite, a satire of Errol Flynn and even Fairbanks himself in THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Fairbanks is traveling to a castle he has inherited when he rescues Carter, daughter of Viceroy Hare, as her coach is being waylaid. Fairbanks leaps from horse to horse, roof to roof, heart to heart, and saves Ireland from the duplicity of Greene, who is Hare's assistant and in Napoleon's employ. Very enjoyable nonsense with lots of derring-do from Fairbanks in the kind of role his dad used to play.