Giant machines 2017 crashes8/27/2023 Lancaster and Cravat-who had formed the Lang and Cravat acrobatic team in the 1930s and performed extensively in circuses and nightclubs-get to show off their physical stunts here in various action situations, and although the two were hardly youngsters at this point (Burt was 37 Nick, 39), they are still remarkably impressive. Still, the duo's initial outing has much to offer to the fun-loving fan of Saturday matinée-type entertainments. "The Flame and the Arrow" is a film that seems to be not as highly regarded as Lancaster and Cravat's follow-up swashbuckler, 1952's "The Crimson Pirate," which, in the interest of complete honesty-and to my own personal embarrassment-I must admit to not having seen. But complications, both logistical and romantic, naturally ensue. Thus, accompanied by his friend Piccolo (Lancaster's boyhood pal Nick Cravat), the two attempt a rescue, but must ultimately content themselves with the kidnapping of the count's luscious niece, Anne of Hesse (beautiful-as-always Virginia Mayo), in the hopes of an exchange. Dardo's ex-wife had earlier "taken up" with the count, and his young son Rudi is soon kidnapped and ensconced in the count's well-guarded castle. A single father who lives in the Lombardy region in what we must presume to be the mid-12th century (the period when the Lombard League was formed to oust the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and his Hessians, who had captured Milan in 1158 and burned it in 1162), Dardo has more than ample reason to be aggrieved with the Hessian Count Ulrich, aka The Hawk (hissably portrayed by Frank Allenby). Appearing in color for the first time, big Burt here plays a character named Dardo Bartoli. Since his spectacular debut in 1946's "The Killers," Lancaster had been featured in a run of moody, dramatic and noirish thrillers, but here, in his 10th picture (not counting his cameo appearance in 1947's "Variety Girl"), Burt finally seemed to be having some fun on the big screen. swashbuckler "The Flame and the Arrow" finds its star, Burt Lancaster, showing off his great acrobatic prowess for the first time on screen. Set in a little-remembered historical setting, the 1950 Warner Bros.
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