CinemaSerf
7/9/2022
Tyrone Power cuts quite a dashing figure in this superior swashbuckler. Set during the Borgia papacy, it follows the machinations of an ambitious young man - a country bumpkin - who decides to better himself by assuming the identity of "Andrea Orsini" and taking employment in the service of Cesare Borgia (Orson Welles) who is out to conquer and consolidate the independent states of Italy. On one such mission, however, he falls for "Camilla Verano" (Wanda Hendrix) who is married to the rather aged, but remarkably - for the times - decent and honourable "Count Marc" (Felix Aylmer). When Borgia starts to throw his weight around with the old man, "Orsini" takes his very life in his hands and swaps sides... Welles features quite sparingly in this, but he is pretty convincing as a man not to be crossed, and needless to say he has no intention of tolerating the treacherous behaviour of his erstwhile agent. The lead performances are strong, here - as is the writing. The romance doesn't clutter up the adventure elements (too much, anyway) and there are plenty of sieges and sword fights in their authentic locations to keep it moving along well.
