Viewers will find plenty of star power in this film about a New England town during the American Revolution. Based on George Bernard Shaw's play, the movie is set in 1777 just prior to the Battle of Saratoga where the British will lose an entire Army to the Colonials. Lancaster plays a priest who is initially reluctant to assist either side. Douglas is the Devil's Disciple, a scoundrel and free-wheeling patriot. The transformation of Lancaster is particularly remarkable. At the beginning of the movie he is a humble, quiet priest. By the end of the movie he looks like a swash-buckling pirate -- a Captain Morgan in buckskin.
However, Olivier lifts this one up a notch. He plays the elegant English General Burgoyne AKA "Gentleman Johnny." The Revolutionary War and the colonists are a mere nuisance to the fulfillment of his social needs. His scenes are worth watching several times. It is a shame that there are not more of them. (It would be interesting to see the uncut version of this movie. Maybe there are more scenes with Olivier.)
This movie should not be lumped into the array of Douglas and Lancaster buddy-adventure movies. There is an edge created by the duality of roles, satirical dialogue, and character transformation. There is constant conflict between the three main characters. It is never quite clear what the resolution will be. Douglas' character is probably the most complex. Is he good or Bad?
This movie portrays certain aspects of the Revolutionary War that are fairly realistic. It shows an example of the type of guerilla warfare that the Colonials waged on the English. It also illustrates the predicament of the Colonists whose allegiances were torn by the War. Finally, the film captures some of the major reasons why the British lost. Watch Olivier's last scene for one of them. (1959, 1 hr 23 minutes) (Author: Rick Osborn 3/14/2001) |
