Frenchman's Creek (B or 3/4 stars)
'Frenchman's Creek' (directed by Mitchell Leisen & adapted from a Daphne du Maurier novel) is a 1945 lavish romantic epic set in the 17th c. starring Joan Fontaine as our heroine. The story has bored British noblewoman Dona St. Columb (Fontaine) leaves her spineless husband, Harry (Ralph Forbes), & his debauched friend, Lord Rockingham (Basil Rathbone), who lusts after her. After fleeing the castle with her children & arriving at her sprawling seaside estate in Cornwall, Dona comes upon French pirate Jean Benoit Aubrey's (Mexican actor, Arturo de Cordova) enormous ship anchored in a creek nearby & falls in love with this dashing swashbuckler. On a whim, Fontaine joins Jean {also known as "The Frenchman"} in a raid against the estate of imperious landowner, Lord Godolphin (Nigel Bruce).
When Dona hears that her husband & Rockingham are on their way to capture the dashing "Frenchman", she sends her loyal servant, William (Cecil Kellaway), to warn him. She then entertains the chasers at dinner, only to be interrupted by "The Frenchman" who captures the opulent estate. He locks up Harry & Rockingham; then begs Dona to run away with him forever. Dona tells her lover that she must remain for the sake of her children, & he departs. Later, Rockingham attempts to blackmail & rape Dona, but she flees up a massive staircase with him in pursuit. Word comes about that "The Frenchman" has been captured & taken prisoner -- so, Dona attempts to rescue him. In the climax, Dona must decide once & for all to stay with her family or to live a life of adventure with "The Frenchman".
For whatever reason, this film is referred to as a bit of a maligned project. Perhaps it has something to do with it being made in 1943/44, but released in 1945. Maybe it has something to do with Joan Fontaine's dismissal of it as not one her faves. Or, although it made good $$, the fact that its production budget was enormous could have given it a bad reputation. Whatever the case, I think the actual movie, itself, is fine. It's a colorful adventure story told well. I'm not raving about the plot, but it’s okay. I liked the little feminist twist to things. There are plenty of old-fashioned thrills; chases, captures, escapes, swordplay, and such.
Joan Fontaine is lovely & genial, as always. Arturo de Cordova makes for a decent pirate lover. Cecil Kellaway is a delight as servant, William. And Basil Rathbone oozes both sophistication & menace as only he can. The color cinematography is lush. Dreier, Fegte & Comer's art direction (castles, manors, pirate ships, etc.) are superb; totally earning its subsequent Academy Award. The costumes are wonderfully ornate. And Victor Young's music score - with Claude Debussy's "Clair de Lune" playing throughout as a theme - is memorable, as well. 'Frenchman's Creek' does not re-invent the wheel … but it's much better than its reputation.
When Dona hears that her husband & Rockingham are on their way to capture the dashing "Frenchman", she sends her loyal servant, William (Cecil Kellaway), to warn him. She then entertains the chasers at dinner, only to be interrupted by "The Frenchman" who captures the opulent estate. He locks up Harry & Rockingham; then begs Dona to run away with him forever. Dona tells her lover that she must remain for the sake of her children, & he departs. Later, Rockingham attempts to blackmail & rape Dona, but she flees up a massive staircase with him in pursuit. Word comes about that "The Frenchman" has been captured & taken prisoner -- so, Dona attempts to rescue him. In the climax, Dona must decide once & for all to stay with her family or to live a life of adventure with "The Frenchman".
For whatever reason, this film is referred to as a bit of a maligned project. Perhaps it has something to do with it being made in 1943/44, but released in 1945. Maybe it has something to do with Joan Fontaine's dismissal of it as not one her faves. Or, although it made good $$, the fact that its production budget was enormous could have given it a bad reputation. Whatever the case, I think the actual movie, itself, is fine. It's a colorful adventure story told well. I'm not raving about the plot, but it’s okay. I liked the little feminist twist to things. There are plenty of old-fashioned thrills; chases, captures, escapes, swordplay, and such.
Joan Fontaine is lovely & genial, as always. Arturo de Cordova makes for a decent pirate lover. Cecil Kellaway is a delight as servant, William. And Basil Rathbone oozes both sophistication & menace as only he can. The color cinematography is lush. Dreier, Fegte & Comer's art direction (castles, manors, pirate ships, etc.) are superb; totally earning its subsequent Academy Award. The costumes are wonderfully ornate. And Victor Young's music score - with Claude Debussy's "Clair de Lune" playing throughout as a theme - is memorable, as well. 'Frenchman's Creek' does not re-invent the wheel … but it's much better than its reputation.