The Scarlet Blade
AKA: The Crimson Blade
Country: UK
Year:1963
Director: John Gilling
Stars: Lionel Jeffries (Col. Judd), Oliver Reed (Capt. Tom Sylvester), Jack Hedley (Edward Beverley, The Scarlet Blade), June Thorburn (Claire Judd), Michael Ripper (Pablo), Harold Goldblatt (Jacob), Duncan Lamont (Maj. Bell), Clifford Elkin (Philip Beverley), Suzan Farmer (Constance Beverley)
The Scarlet Blade (1963)
Set in 1648 amidst the backdrop of the English Civil War, a father and daughter stand on either side of the Cromwellian/Royalist divide. When Claire falls in love with the dashing Scarlet Blade, leader of a Royalist rebellion, loyalties are tested as her father's right hand man Captain Sylvester has designs on her affections. When the King is captured, can the rebels rescue him from certain death or will they be betrayed by those they've trusted?
Swords a plenty in this period tale!! It's the kind of thing I used to watch on a Sunday afternoon with my dad while I pretended I wasn't that hungover. It's an old-fashioned Hammer romp with some cracking performances from Lionel Jeffries (remember the Grandad from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?) as the unscrupulous Colonel Judd and a wide-eyed Oliver Reed as the scorned suitor. It's a period drama rather than a horror film. Maybe not my norm but a goodie nonetheless.
Reviewer - @helen_of_horror
