The Moonraker (1958)

Better Late Then Never

Admirable film.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The acting in this movie is really good.

THE MOONRAKER (not to be confused with the Roger Moore James Bond film) is a late '50s swashbuckler set during the time of the English Civil War. Charles I is dead, and Charles II is on the run from Cromwell's troops after being defeated at the Battle of Worcester. Into this simmering mix comes George Baker's Moonraker, a dashing hero who fights for all that's right and proper.The genre is ripe for parody (anyone who's seen THE FLASHING BLADE ought to agree) and, indeed, THE MOONRAKER is a dated film, twee sometimes in its pleasantries. Nonetheless, it proves to be an amusing enough little film, punctuated with enough intrigue and rapier fights to keep it moving merrily along. The scriptwriters have an ear for historical dialogue so that the cast members have a lot of fun slinging it back and forth.Baker never really made it as a leading man but he's not bad here, and at least looks the part with his broad chest and dominant height - there's nothing worse than a feminine 'girly man' in this type of role. Sylvia Sims is as alluring as ever as his love interest, and Paul Whitsun-Jones bags a particularly fine comic relief role as the overbearing Parfitt. Eagle-eyed viewers may spot Brit favourites Patrick Troughton and John Le Mesurier (as Cromwell, no less!) in brief roles.

Earl Anthony (aka The Moonraker) is a gentleman swordsman who is the thorn in the side of Oliver Cromwell and his battle to rid Britain of the royalists. The Moonraker is feared among Cromwell's men and has been responsible for the escape of over 30 royalists to France. When Anthony tries to lead Prince Charles Stuart to safety after a defeat at the hands of Cromwell, they are recognised and forced to evade capture – but can they get passage to France in time?Contrary to my wife's beliefs, I didn't watch this film in the mistaken belief that Roger Moore was going to burst onto the screen at any moment, but at times I wished he had. The film is a old fashioned swashbuckler done without too much in the way of individual flair. The plot is easy to predict and it is much more wordy that I had expected, with much of the second half being confined to an Inn. That said it still is enjoyable and is worth watching for what it is.The fights are a little dull and there is nothing to suggest that Anthony is worthy of his fearsome reputation but the sense of period is good. The film drifts between romance and action with an uneasy lilt to it, but the romance works well as it has the darker edge of being forbidden.The characters are all a little flat with the odd exception. Baker doesn't manage to bring anything to the role of Moonraker except the normal leading man strong jaw and big chest. The support cast are all colleagues or `evil' bad guys, the love interest is OK but is won over a little too easily. A horrid bit of miscasting is Le Mesurier as Cromwell. We all know what type of roles he is famous for playing and the end result here is that Cromwell comes off as one of them and not a real threat.Overall I enjoyed this film even though it didn't really distinguish itself in any specific way. As part of the genre it is par for the course and will please those who like this type of thing.

It is a real shame this film has received so little attention from fans and critics over the years. It is by far one of the most watchable, entertaining, and interesting swashbucklers made.The period and setting of the English Civil War is a much-underused one, the Moonraker serves up every aspect of this tortured period of England's history. The fantastic consumes, magnificent mansions, and dashing heroes, offset by the darker aspects of The Civil War: hatred, mistrust, and exile. The storyline of chase and escape though not complex, is rich enough to offer the viewer with everything a swashbuckler requires; revenge, hatred, honour, courage romance and of course swordplay!! Not enough buckles are swashed as accurately or as interestingly as they are in the Moonraker. Unlike in many swashbucklers where the actors brandish weapons from a mix of different periods(usualy totally wrong), the Moonraker pays huge attention to historic accuracy in all the weapons and armour used. The same attention to detail went into the elaborate costumes and hugely impressive use of the sets, including the actual Bodiam Castle!The actual action itself is very well done, larger group battles contrasted with intense one-on-one action between our hero Lord Dawlish, (George Baker), and his nemesis the insidious Major Greg, (the late Peter Arne). Their duel in the darkened inn is probably one of the most atmospheric and well choreographed duels in any British film. This compared to perhaps the best duel on film ever that between Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin in the Princess Bride. The larger battles once again demonstrate Bakers terrific athleticism, backed by the dogged Clive Morton as Lord Harcourt.The rest of the straightforward story is carried though by the excellent supporting cast, Notably Marius Goering as Colonel Beaumont, and the ever brilliant John Le Mesurier as a sullen, though surprisingly good looking version of the very ugly Oliver Cromwell. However,the Star-supporting actor has to be the little known, and equally underrated Paul Whitsun-Jones as Mr Parfitt. Parfitt adds much of the films light relief with his pompous tirades which accurately reflected the manner and feelings of much of the gentry of the period. Whitsun-Jones shows his fantastic versatility at the end of the film, throwing off his blustery comic role, and donning that of a hero; doing his part for King and Country. Parfitt supplies probably the most poignant moment in the film as he sacrifices his own life so the King, and his hero The Moonraker, can escape.Sylvia Syms is faultless though not outstanding as the love interest Anne Whyndham,and the future Dr Who Patrick Troughton is also well placed as the harassed and hard-nosed Captain Wilcox.The only letdowns acting-wise are the King (Gary Raymond), and to a lesser degree the Innkeeper Henry Strangeways (Richard Leech). Leech is far too subdued as the salt-of-the-earth Landlord, plus his Irish accent is poorly hidden by his woeful attempt at west-country drawl.Raymond is far to effete as Charles Stuart, lacking the flare or energy of either Baker or Morton as he glides about, or poses like a ballet dancer. His best moment is in the duel in the cloisters where he picks up his act, only for it to tail off again almost at once.However the casting of Michael Anderson Jr as young Martin Strangeways has to be the most ghastly oversight of the whole film. This very British film is let down by the very American sounding 'brat actor', who's strong American accent grates irritatingly alongside Bakers refined English. Mercifully his appearances are both short and few.Overall the film is a triumph of 'all British' swashbuckling. While predictable it is not corny as so many swashbucklers are. The key cast is kept small (and almost all are fantastic), the romantic twist not long and drawn out so as to be tiresome, and the fighting fast paced and frequent. As well as this it's a family film with few of the crudities or disembowellings of modern swashbucklers whilst retaining a realistic level of violence.A must for fans of buckle swashing or historical themed films, and highlyrecommended for everyone else. 7.5/10

"The Moonraker" is an account of the escapades of a dedicated Cavalier gentleman, Anthony Earl of Dawlish, aka Mr Rice, pursued by Roundhead soldiers seeking King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. George Baker, as Dawlish, brings to life a Scarlet Pimpernel type character, who skillfully manages to assume the identity of a puritan scholar whilst rescuing supporters of the late King's son from the army of Cromwell.This is a neglected film, which deserves more attention than it has received. Although in the second half it tends to restrict action to the environs of an inn, there is much to enjoy in the detail. The personal motivations of protagonists are also laid bare, and more than one is called to question their convictions.