Narrated by Michael Rennie. Director: HENRY HATHAWAY. Screenplay: Talbot Jennings. Based on the novel by Thomas B. Costain. Technicolor photography: Jack Cardiff. Technicolor consultant: Joan Bridge. Music: Richard Addinsell. Music conductor: Muir Mathieson. Art directors: Paul Sheriff and W. Andrews. Film editor: Manuel Del Campo. Special effects: W. Percy Day. Costumes: Michael Whittaker. Sound: Buster Ambler. Western Electric Sound System. Made at London Film Studios, Shepperton, England, and on locations in North Africa. Producer: Louis D. Lighton. Copyright 24 August 1950 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 1 September 1950. U.S. release: 8 August 1950. U.K. release: 25 September 1950. Australian release: 8 September 1950. Sydney opening at the Regent. 10,910 feet. 120 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Two 13th century Saxons, with a hatred for the Normans, leave England for China where they team up with a vicious Mongol warlord. NOTES: Negative cost: $4.5 million. Number 14 at Australian ticket windows for 1950, the film was also one of the top 25 attractions at the U.S./Canadian box office for the year. In the United Kingdom, however, where both Power and Hawkins were major money-spinning stars, the film failed to place among the champions. Michael Whittaker was nominated for an Academy Award for his color costume designs, losing to Samson and Delilah. Final film of Cecile Aubry, the star of Manon. I'm told she retired from the screen after marrying a Moroccan prince who met her whilst visiting the film set. VIEWERS' GUIDE: Extraordinarily, the current film censor's classification is "G" for general exhibition. You'd think the movie would at least rate a "PG" for occasional medium-level violence. I would go further. Adults only. It's not just that the violence is occasional, it's the way it's presented. The movie is permeated with a vicious tone of casual cruelty which makes the violence seem even more forceful than what is actually depicted. INITIAL COMMENT: In many ways, a typical Hathaway film with exciting action episodes and effective use of natural backgrounds. The plot has a Boys Own Paper quality but it is more literate in the telling than it is in the synopsis and the characters are vividly brought to life by a fine cast of seasoned players. Hathaway feels that he was unsuccessful with Welles and Aubry but to my mind Welles has a compelling screen presence even when he is not trying as here. Aubry makes a charming and unusual Hollywood heroine in that she has a strong personality that belies her youthful appearance. The only colorless player is Mr. Power who gives his usual efficient but unremarkable performance. The film has been lensed on a lavish budget, the sets and the color photography are never less than breathtaking." UPDATED COMMENT: Alas, my initial enthusiasm was not borne out by a current viewing. True, a viewing on TV, and you just can't hope to match the impact of a movie designed for the cinema screen when that picture is reduced to lounge-room dimensions and shown to an audience of two. All the same it's curious that I now find myself in agreement with my contemporary colleagues.

The Black Rose is an extremely uninvolving film, due both to its unfocused script and the miscasting of Tyrone Power and Cecile Aubrey. Power is far too old to play an Oxford student who has dropped out of college. A 20 year old in the part might have made the hot-headedness of the character acceptable, but Power was 36 when he made this, and watching him behave this way simply made me think he was immature or nasty and vindictive. Cecile Aubrey is truly awful. She comes across as a child, and has no sex appeal or chemistry with Power. It's doubly curious that she's called "The Black Rose" but has blonde hair and a light complexion. Orson Welles has some enjoyable moments as the warlord, and Jack Hawkins is solid as the best friend. There is some nice production value, but there are no battle scenes that actually take place on screen. This is a movie in which things just happen, but not because the characters are driven to make them happen. All in all, it's rather dull and definitely not recommended.

I could not agree more with chmartel's e-mail of 16 Mar 05. Capt from Castille, Blood and Sand, the Black Rose-no excuse that these fine films are not on DVD. I recorded my copies from AMC years ago on VHS and have about worn them out. I watch these at least once each year. I was able to find The Razor's Edge on DVD. Very good film as well. So many excellent films out there from days gone by and Hollywood continues to pump out junk like a new Rambo, number 4 or 5. Reckon that's what America is all about, freedom of choice. Does anyone know a corporation or company that one may write to to try and get some of these fine classics onto DVD? Any help would be most appreciated. I understand there is software available that will convert VHS to DVD via one's pc. I am not opposed to trying this, but if the end product is not as good as the VHS to start with it may not be worth the effort.

This movie has it all. Action, adventure, intrigue, romance, humor, etc. The cast is superb, even though some of the characters are played by people of the wrong ethnicity, as was common in Hollywood in those days. Somehow Orson Welles is believable as a Mongol warlord. The interaction of Walter and Tris is really touching without being sweet. I never saw or heard of the girl who played Maryam again, but she was perfect for this role. I've loved this movie since I was a young person, and I've seen it probably 20 times. I never get tired of it.After I grew up, I found the book in paperback, and was delighted to find that Hollywood had been very faithful to the book. I've since found a used hardback copy of the book and enjoy reading it every ten years or so. Anyone who loves old movies, especially those which bring a great book to life, will love The Black Rose.