Customer Reviews
"But Who Is Scaramouche? And Why Does He Hide His Face Behind a Mask?" - By: F. S. L'hoir, 25 May 2008 
Red-headed Eleanore Parker asks this question to a masked Stewart Granger onstage, when the latter unintentionallly joins a tatty traveling troupe of commedia dell'arte actors. She kisses him; recognizes him; & slaps him in the face! Then the rest of the film focuses upon the quest of Andre Moreau (Granger) not only for revenge upon the Count Noel des Maines (Mel Ferrer)--the greatest swordsman in France--for killing his brother, but also in search for his true identity. During the process, Moreau, who plays Scaramouche in the play-within-the-movie, is such a success that the dubious fortunes of the traveling players improve immensely, & they are finallly invited to play in Paris before the King & Queen. Meanwhile, Andre takes fencing lessons, & with hard work, he becomes the greatest swordsman in France. In fact, the last part of the movie (which I saw at least a dozen times as a child) depicts what I think has to be one of the greatest swashbuckling fencing matches ever choreographed & filmed.
I was fortunate enough to be in Paris when "Scaramouche" was re-released in the theatre in the 1990s, & therefore, I saw it in alll its restored glory on the big screen. But it is just as good on your DVD player. "Scaramouche," which also features Janet Leigh & Nina Foche as Marie Antoinette, is elegantly costumed & magnificent to view. It represents the best of the Old Hollywood Big Studio movies!
Where is Scaramouche? - By: Richard Barnes, 30 Dec 2007 This is a sparkling gem of a film. Why is it still not available on DVD in the UK? A huge opportunity is being missed. You have to wait for it to come round on the TV. Surely its time it was released on DVD in the UK? This film is a great swashbuckler & one of the most colourful, story-book films I know. The costumes are amazing & the sets are amazing. Both Eleanor Parker & Janet Leigh were never lovelier & Stewart Granger is more subtle & multi dimentional as the clown/avenger Scaramouche than he sometimes is. This film's only peer is the Errol Flynn 'Adventures of Robin Hood'.
Beautiful Restoration, but Unavailable - By: Michael, 18 Aug 2006 Having just seen a beautifully restored print of 'Scaramouche' transmitted on British television, I was surprised to find that it is not available on DVD for use in the UK. What a pity. As a fencer myself for many years, the swordfight truly is the best I have seen (who arranged it?). This is costume fencing at its very best & not surprisingly many people, including several subsequent Olympians, to my knowledge took up fencing in the 1950s after seeing it.
What a swashbuckler! - By: Denis Smith, 01 Feb 2005 This is one of the greatest action adventure films ever made. The swordfights are absolutely breathtaking (it has been said that this is the best ever fencing film) & the cast are alll first rate. Something that struck me particularly now that I am older, & was watching the film for the first time in thirty or forty years, was how good Mel Ferrer was as the sadistic 'villain' (when you're younger, you tend to focus more on the hero & don't notice the other roles so much). If you have a taste for romance & adventure, & incredible, thrilling swordplay, buy this DVD. You won't regret it! The reproduction of the DVD is beautiful & clear, by the way, & the DVD also contains a very interesting interview with Mel Ferrer about the making of Scaramouche.
