My dear fellow Flynn fans,
there recently was talk of Errol`s coming-of-age movies “Against all Flags” and “Master of Ballantrae” here on the blog. Now I wonder who of you has seen the swashbuckler`s swansong:”The Dark Avenger”? It is said to have its moments even though a visibly weary Flynn is battling through an English vehicle that evidently jumps on the Black Knight bandwagon. Is that so? Here is the trailer: www.nytimes.com… . Links with the flic on the net seem not to be working. “O´how dark the con of man…”
— shangheinz
It is OK, but at times a bit lengthy… and hard to understand, I find. I have the impression that in his later years, Flynn’s diction became a little more sloppy and not so easily understandable as before. The French are said to have produced a new DVD but so far I have just seen a very expensive offer on the French ebay…
Maybe the French will win in their new version.
Dear Tim Man,
no way they are gonna win like Flynn!
It is now offered on the French amazon and it seems to be a reasonable copy, in English with French subtitles. I’ve just ordered it.
Dear Ginger Inga,
many thanks for the info. I would gladly swop a copy of my Italian only DVD” Il Maestro di Don Giovanni” (Errol`s Don Juan II.) for one of your French Avenger version.
I found this movie to be fun to watch,and I especially liked seeing Errol & Peter Finch together.Yes Errol is a little older and everything but he is wonderful as always and gallops around on his horse and gets into fights.It is a beautiful old fashioned looking movie too,the country side is very lovely.I have an English copy of the film and the quality is 10/10.
Dear LOLlie,
so it is worth seeing! Keep in mind it was one of the English engagements accepted only in order to be able to finish his Tell film.
I have never seen this one. One day maybe. I have noticed that as time when on and the alcohol and drugs were flowing he did not have that spark of energy. It does seem like someone who is buzzed which I can relate to. Part of the blame goes to the doctors who said he was going to pass years before he did so he was cramming it in that last 10 years or so.
First time I’ve heard of it, looks like it will be a fun watch…
Hi all,
Around 15 years ago this was available on VHS. The quality of the transfer is very poor which does make it difficult to fully appreciate the film. Yes Errol is older (this is mainly noticable in the ‘action’ scenes where is tends to move sluggishly); but the film still has a quality feel to it and, as has been mentioned, this is one of the few times that Errol protrayed an historical figure
I agree with Lollie’s review of Dark Avenger which played as The Warriors in the USA. Errol Flynn is terific but I think we miss his mustache for the final half of the film. I wish Warner Bros. or UA which owns the old Allied Artists film library would put this film out in a widescreen DVD. It has played on the Encore Starz Action Channel in a beuautiful color print. Ralph Schiller
Speaking of Flynn’s latter career films, I just saw “The Roots of Heaven” on the big screen in Hollywood last night. It was a beautiful print and a somewhat better film than is generally regarded when seen at that size in a theater.
I have been thinking about ordering the Blu Ray for $29.95 before they sell out. How many people were at the show?
There was quite a crowd, though the film was being shown at an event in conjunction with the French Consulate and Embassy, featuring a signing by author David Bellos who has written a biography of Romain Gary, the author of “The Roots of Heaven.” I was actually more interested in Mr. Bellos’ earlier biography of Jacques Tati, and discussed that subject at length with him. It was an interesting evening over all. Joining me were fellow Flynn-mates Louis Kraft and Greg Maradei.
I saw this film the other day (Thanks Inga!) and must say it is not bad at all. The English film industry`s sets and scenes are above average. and Errol`s outing resembles that of an elder statesman. He is calm and collected, the longsword gives him a bit of trouble, but he still manages to get Duke Dracula out of the way. Too bad he hadn`t that kind of production crew behind him when filming William Tell.
No doubt, langschwertheinz, Errol’s wielding of the long-sword did appear to slow down some in the Middle Ages . All those who share your rapier wit, will recall, however, that, the long-sword did occasionally cause the younger statesman some significant trouble, too. As a wise man (or was that wise guy?) once (above) reminded us: “Oh, how dark the con of man” … (or should that have been: “Oh, how dark the con of dan”??)
[img]http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130822002254/elderscrolls/images/9/91/BM_Nord_Longsword_weapon.png[/img]
[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/08/15/article-2188598-040C09510000044D-211_634x436.jpg[/img]
Dear Gentlemace Tim,
thank you for the kudos, but when it comes to matching witts with words you are no slouch potato either. Matter of fact you are always up to a game of “pepper”, right? Anyways, keep up beefing up the blog with posts ever so remotely related to our man Flynn. The tiniest (timiest?) piece of the puzzle allows a better look at the big Picture.[img
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Your being even remotely interested in my humble posts is a great honor, hanghigh.
As you appear to recognize and respect, my posts are sometimes dedicated to issues tangentially involving Errol, such as the recent posts about the first African Nobel Laureate being so inspired by EF as Captain Blood that he adopted the name as his nom de plume. I think and hope these kind of posts help affirm the incredible iconic power & social luminescence Errol still has around the globe.
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/King-Pepper-Pfeffermuehle-1.jpg[/img]
Ye are the salt of the earth, tangheinz.