The Black Shield of Falworth

Of course it's quality is not up to par but was made a long time ago when the quality was not so good.

From Bronx accents to a social timeline for the primary actors, this 50’s non-classic can be a genuine learning tool that crosses a number of academic disciplines. Teachers will have to generate graphic packages, assemble collage materials, etc. to make this a really memorable research assignment. Don’t forget that collecting boxes and cylinder shaped containers PLUS sand can result in a a great three dimensional [make it linear or pie shaped for a corner] castle. Get the kids AND their parents involved in this project. It makes for an excellent scrapbook page/s. I used this with my grad students, it was great!

Where IS this movie on DVD? Come to think of it, where is it on VHS in popular release? WHY isn't IT AVAILABLE?Well, as to the movie, it's an awkward adaptaion of Howard Pyle's, "MEN IN IRON." Want to have some fun? Try and find the book <my copy is an old Airmont trade paperback that cost me $8.00 plus to be special ordered! Even that was a bargain. But I was talking about the movie, "THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH," wasn't I?It's really not very good. The interiors are so studio set-pieces, they are laughable. The acting is, at best, acceptable. Curtis is very young, very handsome, and as Miles Falworth (in the immortal words of Anna Russell), "very stupid." He takes on the Earl, the Master of Arms, the Master of Squires, and according to the book, he's not even 18 yet! What a Dunce! But the technicolor, the pairing of Curtis, and his new wife, Janet Leigh (this was the FIRST movie they ever made together {And YES, it's the same Janet Leigh who gets the big-bad butcher knife in Hitchcok's "PSYCHO"}), a story line of the middle-ages trying oh-so-painfully to edge into the Renaissance (well, not exactly, that wouldn't REALLY happen for another 300 years, but the point is there. Listen for the line, "Our Lord the Earl has thirteen books." The printing press had not been invented yet. Get it? Get it?)And Miles (Curtis) discovers that the page of one of those books has been torn out. The name of Falworth no longer exists in the Book of English Nobility. Uh-oh.Oh there's swash and buckle aplenty. Moreover, there's more about Chilvary and Knighthood than you ever wanted to know. Fights, Sword-fights, Jousts, Intrigues, Plots, Plots within Plots (except the audience is very-very carefully guided along so the good-guys are clearly distinguishable from the bad-guys; i.e., the guy in black armour--bad guy)!But Curtis and Leigh are both at their prettiest! Oops, I mean their best. Very much in love, and very photogenic on the screen, what should be silliness is Chilvary. What should be cliche is Romantic.Oh hell, pop some good popcorn, pour too much butter over it, over-salt it, and put on this damn good movie. Go ahead. Cheer the good guys! And definitely Boo the bad guys.Most of all enjoy. This movie goes back to the late 40's-50's; when adventure meant spectacle, and in it's own small way, THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH delivers spectacle. Not De Mille spectacle, but in your face, here and now, and the GOOD GUYS WIN spectacle.It is a bit silly, I admit. But it's more than engrossingly watchable.

The Black Shield of Falworth gets a bad rap quite a bit - because of Curtis' accent, the script, the acting, etc...But it's really a very entertaining, rousing film that takes the standard "farm boy who's really nobility" theme and achieves great things, notably an entertaining film with a script that is witty, acting that is not as bad as people think, and great action sequences that make the movie. The clanking sound effects of medieval battle are often covered/obscured with music or overdone, but these sound effects work very well to heighten the tension.This film should be in wide release on DVD. My hope is that since these types of films have made somewhat of a comeback thanks to Gladiator and Braveheart that the Black Shield of Falworth will get the attention that it is due.

As a professional Knight by trade, I love collecting every well-made film on the subject of Knighthood (fact and fiction) I can possibly find. Ever since I was a child, this film has been one of the most inspiring for me, and I'm glad to see it out on video.Set during the reign of Henry IV of England, "The Black Shield" traces the adventures of Miles Falworth (Tony Curtis) and his sister, the banished children of a great Knight who was framed and killed by the evil Earl of Alban. Now, the Falworth name is outlawed, as are any living relatives bearing the same name. Sent to the castle of one of their dad's long-time friends for protection and service, the Falworth duo find favor with the castle Lord. This good fortune, together with Miles' scrappy personality and martial skill, places the young fellow in training for Knighthood under the tutelage of the salty Sir James. A great story follows, knitting Tony with Janet Leigh (yes, Jamie Lee's real-life parents), together dodging treachery and bad guys. Interestingly, this movie depicts more of the challenging training elements of Knighthood than any I've ever seen, such as the ability to steer a horse in full armor without the use of the reigns. Ultimately, the film comes to an exciting climax with a white-knuckled "joust to the death" between Miles and the evil Earl who framed his dad.Overlook the dialogue. Brit accents are not obligatory in this movie, as demonstrated by Tony's New York accent (i.e., "yonda in da castle of my fadda". Nevertheless, the interaction is charming, and the props, costumes, action sequences, and support acting are excellent. This video is a must for your medieval collection.

I love this movie but I was really disappointed with what I got. I paid $17.99 for this classic movie on DVD and only I got was just the movie. NO bonus features, no screen selection, nothing else. you get more from an old movie the $5 bin at Walmart. I paid less for other old movies at amazon (i.e. robin hood with earl Flynn) and received way more features.Amazon should lower the price on this movie and refund money to the people that have already bought it.

For this blu-ray release of The Black Shield of Falworth (Der Eiserne Ritter von Falworth) with original Englsh soundtrack and subtitles in both English and German, sound and picture have been beautifully restored. The story is gripping and the entire film a feast for the eyes and ears! Tony Curtis as disinherited Myles Falworth looks so good on screen that one can forgive has somewhat wooden acting. Janet Leigh is her usual glamorous self and Barbara Rush adorable in the role of Meg, Myles’ sister.

ok

It brought me back to the 50's.

I fell in love with this movie when I was about 8 and have loved it ever since. I'm so pleased to find a copy on dvd so I could show it to my husband. I grew up in the US and myy grandmother and aunt used to watch old movies on AMC (American Movie Classics) and record them on VHS. I saw this movie when I was 8 or so and it was my most-requested movie from then on. I had the biggest crush on Tony Curtis :). Watching it again recently with my husband, it is just as magical and wonderful as I remember and now I want to buy copies for everyone!

Très bon film dans la veine des films de chevalerie des années 50. Bons acteurs. C'est intéressant de revoir certains acteurs dans leur jeunesse.