The Scarlet Blade
The Scarlet Blade (released in the United States as The Crimson Blade) is a 1963 British adventure film directed by John Gilling and starring Lionel Jeffries, Oliver Reed, Jack Hedley and June Thorburn.
| The Scarlet Blade | |
|---|---|
 Poster with the US title | |
| Directed by | John Gilling |
| Screenplay by | John Gilling |
| Produced by | Anthony Nelson Keys |
| Starring | Lionel Jeffries Oliver Reed Jack Hedley June Thorburn |
| Cinematography | Jack Asher |
| Edited by | John Dunsford |
| Music by | Gary Hughes |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
It is a period drama set during the English Civil War.
Plot
When King Charles I is captured by Roundhead forces led by the tyrant Colonel Judd and his right-hand man Captain Sylvester, it is up to a band of locals loyal to the King led by a Robin Hood–type character named the Scarlet Blade to try to rescue him. They are helped by Judd's daughter Claire who secretly helps them in defiance of her father. [1]
Reception
In a review, the Radio Times noted that Oliver Reed was "on form as a renegade swordsman with an eye for the ladies" but gave the overall film two stars out of five. [2]
Cast
- Lionel Jeffries as Colonel Judd
- Oliver Reed as Captain Tom Sylvester
- Jack Hedley as Edward Beverley, the Scarlet Blade
- June Thorburn as Claire Judd
- Michael Ripper as Pablo
- Harold Goldblatt as Jacob
- Duncan Lamont as Major Bell
- Clifford Elkin as Philip Beverley
- Suzan Farmer as Constance Beverley
- John Harvey as Sgt. Grey
- Charles Houston as Drury
- Robert Rietti as King Charles I
- George Woodbridge as Towncryer