Plot Summary: Set in 16th-century England, Crossed Swords tells the classic tale of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. A young prince, Edward VI, and a pauper, Tom Canty, swap lives, leading to comedic and dramatic misunderstandings. With the help of the noble Miles Hendon, Edward struggles to reclaim his throne while gaining a deeper understanding of the common people.
Director: Richard Fleischer
Producers: Pierre Spengler, Ilya Salkind
Screenplay: Berta Domínguez D., Pierre Spengler
Starring:
Mark Lester as Edward VI / Tom Canty
Oliver Reed as Miles Hendon
Charlton Heston as King Henry VIII
Raquel Welch as Edith
Ernest Borgnine as John Canty
George C. Scott as Ruffler
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⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️
Introducing Crossed Swords
Today, we take a little break from exploring Frank Oz’s filmography to dive into Crossed Swords (also known as The Prince and the Pauper), a 1977 adaptation of Mark Twain's beloved novel. Why this sudden detour? I recently finished reading the book with my 6-year-old daughter and wanted to show her the movie to help her visualize many aspects of medieval life she found hard to grasp during our reading sessions, like royal conduct, clothing, and societal norms. While there were several adaptations to choose from, I opted for this one because I found a version dubbed in Russian (my daugher speaks Russian). Though I usually consider dubbing a downside, this version was decent, avoiding the annoyance of having a single voice actor narrating all roles.
Book vs. Movie: A Disappointing Contrast
Unfortunately, this adaptation didn’t live up to expectations, especially after the fresh memory of the book. Several significant changes detracted from the story's impact. For instance, the prince's age and demeanor were misrepresented, Mark Lester's portrayal of Edward made him appear weak and timid, unlike Twain’s confident and regal character. Key details, like the Great Seal being hidden in the armor, were omitted, undermining the tension and resolution of the plot. Even worse, the prince’s circle fails to convincingly reflect the perception that he and Tom have both gone mad.
Oliver Reed, as Miles Hendon, was initially a perfect casting choice for the lovable and honorable character. However, they ruined his integrity by turning him into a drunkard by the end, which completely undermines the noble heart of the story. The fight scenes, while poorly choreographed and marred by bad sound design, were unintentionally amusing and still intense enough to captivate my daughter, who hid her eyes during the more "intense" moments.
Highlights and Final Thoughts
The movie does excel in some areas. The settings and costumes are stunning, with authentic medieval locations in England and Hungary giving it a wonderfully immersive 16th-century look. Maurice Jarre's score is another highlight, providing an enjoyable auditory backdrop that complements the visual aesthetic. However, the film's major deviations from Twain’s story, especially the completely reimagined and nonsensical coronation scene, make it difficult to recommend.
If you’re searching for a faithful adaptation, you might want to check out the 1936 version, which has received much praise. While Crossed Swords has its moments, it ultimately falls short of capturing the wit and depth of Mark Twain’s timeless tale.
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