The Black Rose

An all time favorite action flick with drama, memorable scenes, top notch performances, especially Orson Welles and Jack Hawkins, and a bit of romanticized history thrown in for good measure. Welles' best role of the decade, comparable to his performance as Cesare Borgia. Hard to beat the drama in the "archery" scene.

A fine classic adventure story with a beautiful and exotic heroine. When I was a boy, I fell in love with Cecile Aubrey. I watched this film whenever it was shown on TV, and that was in the days of black and white. I didn't even know the movie was filmed in color. The characters and story line will hold your interest from first to last. Catch it if you can.

I saw this movie when I was twelve and identified with the young girl. I may have been young, impressionable, but involved with her character. I fell in love with Tyrone Power.I also felt Orson Welles was very handsome and knowledgeable. I thrilled to the thought of being in her place. I watched avidly the scenery as the film progressed for I was unable to travel as my family was not well off. I often dreamed of visiting foreign countries.I loved their beautiful costumes.I knew very little of the world and soaked up every moment.The Black Rose had many particulars of movies of today, romance,action,thrills,suspense,scenery,and a surprise ending. I believe any young girl of twelve to fourteen would love it today.I hope to see it again soon on Turner Classic Movies.

While I love the books of Thomas Costain (who wrote the original story), I was surprised how lukewarm I felt about this movie. Plus, combining that with such actors as Tyrone Power, Orson Welles and Jack Hawkins, I really expected to love this film. And, this could be some of the reason I scored this movie so low. Perhaps someone who never read the novel or wasn't a Tyrone Power fan would forgive its slow pace, occasionally sappy dialog and less-than-inspiring plot. All I know is that I really needed to push myself to stay focused on the movie. In fact, I tried watching this film a couple times before I finally sat through it.

Last and least of Tyrone Power's three Technicolor swashbucklers for Fox is already struggling before we meet Cécile Aubry in the title role and you know the film is doomed. At a cost of £4 million at least it helped fund Orson Welles' 'Othello' shooting nearby in Morocco (in which some of the costumes also reappeared!); but the best performance as usual is from Jack Hawkins.

One of those rare adventure films where the villain is nearly as admirable a character as the hero. Perhaps only Orson Wells could pull that off. In fact, the dynamic formula of Welles' villainy played against the shadowed virtues of Tyrone Power are here-in reminiscent of that same combination in another rarely seen gem, Prince of Foxes. A good film library should contain them both. I don't think either of them are actually available commercially. Life can be so cruel.

This is one of those movies that makes you feel like a 12-year-old sneaking into the local movie palace on a Saturday afternoon. If you like exotic locales, rousing action, a lot of humor and a bit of romance thrown in for good measure, you'll probably enjoy this film as much as I do. Orson Welles ("Bayan of the Thousand Eyes") is the real star, though Jack Hawkins, as usual, is terrific. This movie is a delight, and it stands the test of time. Best of all, it leaves you with a contented smile on your face. I rate it a solid 8.5 out of 10.