Rent Cyrano De Bergerac (1950)

The Test of Time Has Not Been Kind - Cyrano De Bergerac review by The Millbrooker

I invited a friend over to watch this; he couldn't make it but said he'd seen this 1950 version of Cyrano de Bergerac as a boy and remembered it being a good 'un.

Having now watched it, I can quite understand how a small boy would be enthralled by lots of sword fighting and plenty of theatrical action scenes. I have my suspicions that the more-or-less adult version of my friend that we know and love today might be a little less impressed.

Sadly the almost pantomimic qualities of 1940s and 50s Hollywood family fare haven't really stood the test time in this one. Jose Ferrer won a Best Actor Oscar for this performance; I can only guess that they gave them out then for anyone who could remember lots of lines and didn't bump into the furniture too much (copyright Noel Coward).

This really is, nowadays, Sunday afternoon fare; perfect for falling asleep in front of after a good roast and perhaps a pint or two down the local. Otherwise it's only suitable for watching with maiden aunts when there's little else to do.