Adventures of Don Juan

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In the end of the Seventeenth Century, Don Juan de Marana is repatriated from London to Madrid after a serious diplomatic scandal caused by his affair with a British fiance on the Eve of her marriage with a Spanish noble. The Spanish ambassador in London Count de Polan sends a recommendation letter to his friend Queen Margaret to give an opportunity in the court to rehabilitate Don Juan from the gossips and rumors about his love affairs, and he is hired as instructor of the art of fencing in the Spanish Academy. He secretly falls in love for Queen Margareth but becomes loyal to her and her irresponsible and weak husband, King Phillip III. Don Juan discovers the plan of the Machiavellian Duke de Lorca (that intends to declare war to England and rules Spain. With the support of his friends, Don Juan defends the Queen, the King and Count de Polan against Duke de Lorca and his men.

• Claude Rains was originally cast as the Duke de Lorca.
• At the end of the film, the young woman in the coach asking Don Juan for directions is Errol Flynn’s wife, Nora Eddington.
• Erich Wolfgang Korngold was assigned to score this film when shooting began in 1945 and even sketched some themes. When production was postponed until 1947 (due to Errol Flynn’s illness and other problems) Max Steiner replaced Korngold because, by then, he had announced his retirement from motion pictures. In October 1947 he suffered a heart attack and, in spite of pleas from Leo F. Forbstein, Music Chief at Warners, Korngold refused to return to the studio.
• Warners considered filming this project with Errol Flynn twice previously, on 1939 and 1945. The 1945 proposed production was scuttled by a labor dispute. It was to be directed by Raoul Walsh, scored by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and co-star Victor Francen and Rosemary DeCamp as the King and Queen, with George Coulouris as the Duke. Only Jerry Austin and Alan Hale survived from the 1945 production, although S.Z. Sakall was also considered for the Leporello role.
• Film editor Alan Crosland Jr.’s father, Alan Crosland, was the director of the original Don Juan (1926), with John Barrymore, who was a close friend of Errol Flynn, the star of this film.
• A 1945 trade publication announced that Claudette Colbert was being considered for a role as a French aristocrat, but by the time this film came out in 1948, that role no longer existed.
• In “The Films of Errol Flynn,” it was alleged that Errol Flynn’s drinking necessitated a good deal of “shooting around” him, but on the DVD commentary director Vincent Sherman says that this only happened once.
• Although Raoul Walsh was originally slated to direct this project in 1945, Errol Flynn had a falling-out with him, and by 1947 Michael Curtiz, who had directed some of Flynn’s greatest early films until he and Flynn had a falling-out, too, was assigned to the project. As production neared, Jean Negulesco replaced Curtiz, but Negulesco bowed out in favor of the film’s ultimate director, Vincent Sherman.
• Frederick Faust (Max Brand) and William Faulkner both worked on early versions of the script.
• With the failure of Errol Flynn’s non-action films Escape Me Never (1947) and Never Say Goodbye (1946), Warners producer Jerry Wald argued that the star should return to a large-scale swashbuckler, especially after Captain Blood (1935), The Sea Hawk (1940) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) had enjoyed recent successful theatrical revivals. Unfortunately for Flynn, this film continued his string of critical and financial flops, and the budgets of subsequent Flynn films were reduced considerably.
• The last of 13 films that Alan Hale appeared in with close friend Errol Flynn. Hale died on 22 January 1950, just over a year following this film’s release.
• The scene when Don Juan (Errol Flynn) is seen escaping on horseback over the castle drawbridge and into the forest through a triangular beam of light shining through the trees is footage taken from The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
• Errol Flynn did not wear a wig and let his naturally curly hair grow for the role. The producers were worried about it becoming unruly during the climactic fight scenes, so it was decided that he wear a bandanna.
• Besides footage from The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) for Don Juan’s escape into the night – footage also from The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) was used for Don Juan’s entry into London. A ten year younger Errol Flynn can clearly be seen as Essex in the distant shots as he leads his entourage through London to the palace just as Don Juan is doing in the later film

• Continuity: When talking to the ambassador, Don Juan’s earring is on the right ear, whereas for the rest of the movie it’s on the left.
• Anachronisms: In the scene where the ambassador tells Don Juan that he is to return to Spain, the ambassador wears the stiff collar called golilla, an item of clothing that belongs to the reign of Philip IV, which started in 1621. The story of this movie takes place during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, who died in 1603.
• Continuity: When Don Juan stabs de Lorca in their climactic fight, the knife is seen entering under his right rib cage in the area of the liver. In the next shot the knife is squarely in the middle of the sternum in the area of the heart.

After many shameful incidents, Don Juan is forced to return to Spainwhere he discovers a country without life, driven to war, and a King inpetticoat with a dissatisfied Queen…

But, despite of all the court’s intrigues, Don Juan saves the lovelyQueen and the confused King Philip III (Romney Brent) from thetreacherous schemes of a malicious minister, the great Duke De Lorcaand his puppeteers Raymond Burr & Douglas Kennedy…

His farewell scene with the Queen of Spain remembered me "Prisoner ofZenda."

Don Juan, wisely, persuades the Queen that her duties lies with herpeople, and after kissing her, he says: "I shall be the only one whoknew that for a little while there was no Queen."

Flynn had the flair and style to play, with elegance, the charmingmanipulator, gaining admiration through his charisma, talents andabilities, seducing loving maidens, coming against angry husbands,causing a striking impression on the tall, dark, beautiful Queen…

Challenging the mighty Duke De Lorca, he makes his point as the loyaland devoted friend to the crown, when he declared: "Some men prefer theconquest of beauty to the conquest of a throne."

Viveca Lindfors plays a generous Queen who fights for peace and worksfor the welfare of her people… She is brave enough before animpertinent traitor who dreams to be a future king… She is apassionate young woman before Don Juan, her eventual true love…

Robert Douglas played a stupendous villain in many adventure films,crossing swords with great stars (Burt Lancaster, Cornel Wilde andRobert Taylor). As Duke De Lorca, he was a very ambitious minister witha hand of steel… "I’m Spain!, he expressed once… His declarationremembered me Vincent Price in "The Three Musketeers," when he states,in his role of Cardinal Richelieu, "I’m France!"

The duel between De Lorca ("I warned you, Señor, this time I shall cutdeeply.") and Don Juan ("This time, I’m wearing my old clothes.") isexciting and stylish…

With humorous moments displayed by the sympathetic dwarf actor JerryAustin (Don Sebastian) and with a splendid exhibition of youngswordsmen, lovely ladies, secret plots, drinking escapades, swordsclashing, furious fights, and with a great complementary score by MaxSteiner, "The Adventures of Don Juan" is a great entertainingswashbuckler, highly recommended…

2) THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN was intended as something of a 'comeback'film for Warner Bros. resident 'bad boy', combining the heroic elementsof 'ROBIN HOOD' and 'THE SEA HAWK' with Errol Flynn's well-established(by 1948) reputation as a hell-raising womanizer. Unfortunately, thecolor production, Flynn's first swashbuckler in nearly a decade, wasnot a box office hit, but the comic adventure is today embraced by hismany fans as one of his best roles!

It was not an easy film to make, as Flynn's carousing anddisappearances (officially called 'sicknesses') stretched the filming,and forced frequent reshooting. Director Vincent Sherman,cinematographer Elwood Bredell, and editor Alan Crosland often had to'cut-and-paste' snippets of many takes to achieve a decent performancefrom the star, and careful lighting had to be used to play down theincreasingly obvious effects of the star's hedonistic lifestyle. (Theclosing scene, featuring then wife Nora Eddington, was shot nearly ayear before the remainder of the film, and the change in the Flynn'sphysical appearance is clearly evident.) At 38, the star, who alwayshated being called a 'pretty boy' (to the extent that his home had fewmirrors) was aging rapidly.

All this being said, Flynn tried to give the film the best he could. Ithad been a landmark film for his friend/mentor John Barrymore, in thefirst Warners' film with sound, employed for music and special effectsonly, in 1926 (THE JAZZ SINGER would introduce 'talkies' a year later).It reunited him with friend and frequent costar Alan Hale, who, at 56,was still a popular character actor, and whose son, Alan Jr., wasstarting to make his mark around town (he would eventually be bestknown as the Skipper in 'Gilligan's Island'). The script for DON JUAN,in development since 1939, passed through many hands, includinguncredited help by William Faulkner and Robert Florey, with the endresult being marvelously tongue-in-cheek. The score, by the legendaryMax Steiner, became an instant classic, and would be reused, yearslater, in George Hamilton's ZORRO, THE GAY BLADE. This was a filmwhich, despite Errol Flynn's self-destructive lifestyle, had enoughtalent involved to still stand up as one of the better films of the1940s.

The plot involves roué Don Juan, tossed out of England after breakingup a 'diplomatic' wedding (a VERY funny scene), returning home to Spainto find evil Duke de Lorca (the sublimely nasty Robert Douglas)controlling weak King Phillip, and taxing the population to nearstarvation, with only the beautiful Queen Margaret standing in his way.Flynn quickly dispatches a de Lorca press gang, earning the Count'shatred, and the Queen's attention…and Don Juan finds himself trulyfalling in love, for the first time, with the youthful monarch (playedby the radiant Viveca Lindfors). Assigned as a fencing master at theAcademy, the legendary lover draws the ire of the Queen by stating hisfeelings for her, then is manipulated into another disastrousdiplomatic blunder, involving, of course, another woman. On the run, hediscovers de Lorca's ultimate scheme (manipulating the Crown into war),and with the help of the students of the Academy, he must save the Kingand Queen.

Featuring a great early appearance by Raymond Burr (as a de Lorcahenchman), and a stirring final duel between Flynn and Douglas(expanded from the 1926 version, and featuring an astonishing climacticstairway jump, performed by stuntman and future 'Tarzan' Jock Mahoney),THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN is a gloriously adventuresome romp. Sadly,it didn't save Flynn's flagging career, but it certainly has earned aplace among his classic films!

3) If you love swashbucklers, period movies, buddy movies, or Errol Flynn,youmust love this movie. For swashbuckling, you have a series of wonderfulfight scenes, each one convincing, each one a delight. For period movies,the costumes are excellent and the history just accurate enough to beuseful, but not so accurate as to be dull. Flynn and Hale are perfectlymatched foils here, with Hale getting some of the wittiest lines in themovie. And this is Flynn’s perfect part, still ladykiller enough to carryoff the love scenes, still fit enough to persuade as the great duellist.Watch it.

4) They truly don't make 'em like this anymore (more's the pity). ErrolFlynn plays the role he spent his whole life "training" for — Don Juan– in this spectacular Warner Brothers adventure film. There is so muchto recommend this film; it's a shame American audiences didn't respondto it the way European audiences did at its initial release. Flynn doeshis best work in years as Don Juan, ably supported by perennialsidekick Alan Hale and Robert Douglas as the evil Duke De Lorca. Thecostumes are amazing, the sets splendid, the Technicolor never lookedbetter — but to top it all off, the swordplay, choreographed by thelegendary maestro Fred Cavens (Adventures of Robin Hood, The Mark ofZorro) is second to none. From the brief duels with jealous husbands tothe scenes in the fencing academy to the final rapier and dagger brawl(capped by a spectacular leap performed by stuntman Jock Mahoney) thesword work here is awesome. (btw, historical fencing fans should notethe use of Thibaults' Mysterious Circle on the wall of the fencingschool, completely appropriate since this is the Spanish school ofrapier play). Future Perry Mason Raymond Burr has a memorable role asone of the villains in this court intrigue adventure, and VivecaLindfors is excellent as the Queen, but it is Flynn, with his wit,panache and blade skill, who dominates, just as it should be. Forterrific entertainment in the classic Hollywood tradition, take a lookat The Adventures of Don Juan! UPDATE 2/9/07 This film will soon beavailable on a new DVD in the second Errol Flynn collection box set,along with another good Flynn film, The Dawn Patrol.

5) In the end of the Seventeenth Century, Don Juan de Marana (Errol Flynn)is repatriated from London to Madrid after a serious diplomatic scandalcaused by his affair with a British fiancée on the Eve of her marriagewith a Spanish noble. The Spanish ambassador in London Count de Polan(Robert Warwick) sends a recommendation letter to his friend QueenMargaret (Viveca Lindfors) to give an opportunity in the court torehabilitate Don Juan from the gossips and rumors about his loveaffairs, and he is hired as instructor of the art of fencing in theSpanish Academy. He secretly falls in love for Queen Margareth butbecomes loyal to her and her irresponsible and weak husband, KingPhillip III (Romney Brent). Don Juan discovers the plan of theMachiavellian Duke de Lorca (Robert Douglas) that intends to declarewar to England and rules Spain. With the support of his friends, DonJuan defends the Queen, the King and Count de Polan against Duke deLorca and his men.

"The Adventures of Don Juan" is a charming, witty and delightfuladventure full of romance and comedy. Unfortunately the cinema industryforgot how to make awesome movies like this one without the need of sexscenes or gore and sadism. The athletic Errol Flynn is amazing,fighting with foil and seducing the women in the story and theaudiences in the real world, using intelligent and witty lines. Thegorgeous Viveca Lindfors performs a queen with stylish elegance andclass. The traitor Robert Douglas is the perfect villain, withtreachery, ambition and Machiavellism. In the end, this movie is highlyrecommended for the whole family as a great entertainment. My vote isnine.

Title (Brazil): "As Aventuras de Don Juan" ("The Adventures of DonJuan")

6) Errol Flynn, at 38, was not exactly as dashingly handsome as he was in hisearliest triumph (‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’) for his life style hadbegun taking a physical toll on his health. But he looks in good shape (forthe most part, except for some tell-tale closeups) and carries off the rolewith his usual zest, good humor and athletic grace.

He still has a good sidekick in Alan Hale who gets some witty banter withFlynn throughout the fast-moving film. Victor Sherman directs thetongue-in-cheek adventure tale with great style. All of the court intrigueand swashbuckling derring-do is photographed in gorgeous technicolor andaccented by a lush pseudo-Spanish Max Steiner score.Fine bits of villainy supplied by Robert Douglas and Raymond Burr and somehigh spirited romance from women like Viveca Lindfors (at the peak of herphysical beauty) and Ann Rutherford.

For fans of Flynn films, this is one of his best. None of it can be takenseriously, but that’s part of the fun. From the wry opening to the slyclosing scene, this is a pure delight if you’re seeking escapist adventurephotographed in some of the best color cinematography everseen.

7) THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN was the last of the great swashbuckling classicsFlynn would star in.Though Flynn isn’t exactly in his prime here nobody wasever better as the dashing devil may-care swashbuckling hero! Once againFlynn is reunited with his greatest screen sidekick Alan Hale,who is alwaysa delight.Viveca Lindfors plays the Queen with grace and a strong will andher beauty further enhances her performance. Robert Douglas is no Basil Rathbone but he stillmakes a fine villain.The score by Max Steiner is very fast paced andexciting and the duel between Flynn and Douglas is also nicelystaged.All in all this is a truly entertaining adventure with Flynn as dashing andheroic as only he could be!

MY RATING: 9/10

Don Juan really was Flynn’s last big budget extravaganza, and it really isasumptous production. If ever any one was born to play Don Juan then it wasFlynn. Solid support from Viveca Lindfors, Robert Douglas and Alan Hale.Thefilm is up there with Robin Hood and its a shame that it is not morewidelyseen today. Enjoy.

9) I expected to see Flynn looking out of shape, trying to relive his pastglories in this 1948 film. Instead it turns out that in The Adventuresof Don Juan, not only is our hero still swashbuckling up a storm andalmost as handsome as ever — let's not forget, ten years and manyevents have now elapsed since Robin Hood — but he is also man enoughto laugh at himself along with the audience. The role of Don Juan couldnot be carried off by many actors, and casting Flynn in this role couldeasily end up being farcical. Instead, he pulls off the role withhumour and grace.

And he still looks excellent in tights! More than good enough for me.

10) Like his swashbuckling predecessor Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynntackled the part of Don Juan in his late years, he was 39 when he madethis film for Warner Brothers. Like Fairbanks, Flynn plays an older andwiser famous lover who's getting a bit bored by it all. Not unlike thereal life Errol Flynn.

The Adventures Of Don Juan finds Tirso De Molina's famous lover senthome after a couple of escapades in the newly formed Kingdom of GreatBritain. King Philip III and Queen Margaret give our hero a chance toredeem himself by teaching at the royal fencing academy.

He's up to his neck in trouble soon enough, but not the kind of troubleFlynn's usually in. The first minister Robert Douglas is planning amove against the Queen who he sees as his main obstacle for total powerin the kingdom. And the great lover starts behaving more like SirLancelot and less like Don Juan where Queen Margaret as played byViveca Lindfors is concerned.

Although Philip III was not the great ruler his father Philip II was,by no means was he as big a fool as Romney Brent plays him. The realQueen Margaret who was his Hapsburg cousin did in fact haveconsiderable influence over domestic and foreign policy in Spain.

The Adventures of Don Juan was given a sumptuous production and won anOscar for Costume Design and was nominated for Art&Set Design. I thinkthe film's best asset besides Errol Flynn is Max Steiner's music. AsFlynn films usually are well scored, this one even stands out amongthat group.

The Adventures of Don Juan marked the thirteenth and last film thatAlan Hale made with Errol Flynn. If Alan Hale or Frank McHugh did notappear in Warner Brothers production it didn't seem quite right. JackWarner kept those two guys busiest of all at his studio.

Although Errol was getting older and his hedonistic living was startingto show, the part calling for an older and wiser Don Juan was wellsuited for him. One wishes he'd done the role back in the middleThirties as a young man however.