If there were to be a career defining performance from José Ferrer, then I reckon that this would be it. He really enters into the spirit of his role as the famed poet whose sharpness came not just from his pen, but from his sword too. His friend "Christian" (William Prince) is totally smitten by the gorgeous "Roxane" (the glamorous Mala Powers), as is our hero - but he rather selflessly sets up his friend in the hope that they might find true happiness - all the while using words that he, himself, has not the courage to actually say to her, either! It's a well produced, solid swashbuckler with some great dialogue adapted from Edmond Rostand's play by Carl Foreman, with plenty of action. Even the romance (never my favourite bits) are managed in such a fashion to expertly avoid even a hint of cheese. Maybe a little too long, and some of the scenarios are distinctly stage-bound which hamstrings it a little at times, but it is still a cracking bit of cinema.

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