The Sword and the Rose

Release Date: July 23, 1953

Richard Todd had many positive things to say about working on this film. These lines come from his autobiography, Richard Todd In Camera: "It now seemed that I would be working for Walt Disney for the next year or more, and I could not have wished for a pleasanter prospect... I soon found that working again on a Disney film, as with Robin Hood, had a special quality about it quite unlike the atmosphere on any other production. There was very much a family ambiance, a feeling of harmony... I look back on those Disney days with great warmth - they were such fun! Although we all worked hard and well together, we also laughed a lot - especially Glynis and myself, the two worst gigglers in the business."

I imagine this must have been a very fun movie to make. Glynis Johns is absolutely hysterical in her role as Mary Tudor. The banter between her and her brother Henry the VIII (played by James Robertson Justice) is such a delight! Henry may be the king, but Mary Tudor is not someone who will be bossed around. Her tricks had me laughing out loud several times during the film.

Richard Todd plays the role of Charles Brandon. He is a commoner, but Mary Tudor falls in love with him. The king wants his sister to marry the aged king of France. Determined to make her own destiny, the princess decides to sneak away with Charles Brandon on a ship bound for America. When plans don't work out, the princess is forced back to the castle and Charles Brandon is arrested and thrown in the Tower of London.

Mary finally agrees to wed the King of France, as long as her brother will allow her to select her second husband once the king dies. She confides in her friend the Duke of Buckingham and asks for his help to release Charles Brandon from prison and to wait for her. Unbeknownst to her, the Duke of Buckingham has long loved the princess and despises his rival. He arranges to have Charles Brandon killed, and wrongly believes he is successful.

Later, while retrieving Mary Tudor from France after the king's death, the duke tries to force the princess to marry him. Charles Brandon arrives in time to fight the duke and defend the woman he loves. The climax of the movie is a swordfight on the beach, where a wounded Brandon must prove himself to be superior to his opponent in order for love to prevail.

I could watch this movie over and over. It is a delightful film and the actors do such a tremendous job! If you haven't seen this gem, I highly recommend watching it!