Scaramouche

Scaramouche

15/9/1923 2h 4m 7.2/10

Overview

A law student becomes an outlaw French revolutionary when he decides to avenge the unjust killing of his friend. To get close to the aristocrat who has killed his friend, the student adopts the identity of Scaramouche the clown.

Director

Rex Ingram

Top Billed Cast

Lewis Stone

Lewis Stone

The Marquis de la Tour d'Azyr

Lloyd Ingraham

Lloyd Ingraham

Quintin de Kercadiou

Ramon Novarro

Ramon Novarro

André-Louis Moreau, alias 'Scaramouche'

Alice Terry

Alice Terry

Aline de Kercadiou

Julia Swayne Gordon

Julia Swayne Gordon

The Countess de Plougastel

William Humphrey

William Humphrey

The Chevalier de Chabrillane

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

3/28/2022

7/10

Much as with his sterling adaptation of "The Prisoner of Zenda" from a year earlier, Rex Ingram has chosen a super story and re-united some of that cast to create a cracking adaptation of Sabatini's story of power and revolution. When the proud young "Philippe de Vilmorin" (Otto Matieson) ends up on the wrong side of a duel with the expert swordsman, the cruel "Marquis de la Tour" (Lewis Stone) his friend "Moreau" (Ramon Novarro) vows to avenge this needless death. An empty promise at this stage, but as the story develops he hones his skills with a rapier, and uses his new guise as "Scaramouche" with a travelling theatre to earn the adulation and respect of the people - and to sow the seeds of discontent with the corrupt rule of the nobility. His election to the chamber of deputies marks the final step in his search for vengeance, as he puts his new found fencing skills to good use eliminating some of the pompous aristocrats before a final duel with "La Tour". There is plenty of romance along the way - with our hero in love with childhood sweetheart "Aline" (Alice Terry) and with theatre tomboy "Climène" (Edith Allen). All the ingredients are here for a super story of intrigue, betrayal, corruption and of love with plenty of action and more than a few twists as the story gathers pace. Novarro is very good in the title role - his mastery of the characterful stage performances as well as that of the more earnest "Moreau" is enjoyable, as is the contribution from Stone as his nemesis. The sets and costumes are sumptuous, and the film engrossing for just over two hours. Oddly enough, although I certainly enjoyed the 1952 version too - I think that this might just edge it.

Similar Movies

A Knight's Tale

6.9

A Knight's Tale

2001

Blame It on Rio

5.8

Blame It on Rio

1984

Marie Antoinette: A Film by David Grubin

7.3

Marie Antoinette: A Film by David Grubin

2006

Ginger and Cinnamon

6.3

Ginger and Cinnamon

2003

Orphans of the Storm

6.8

Orphans of the Storm

1921

A Story of Floating Weeds

7.1

A Story of Floating Weeds

1934

Marie Antoinette

6.6

Marie Antoinette

1938

La Marseillaise

6.9

La Marseillaise

1938

Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness

6.8

Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness

1927

Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge

7.5

Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge

1924

The Way of the Strong

10.0

The Way of the Strong

1928