The Black Arrow (1948) is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel of romance and revenge set in England during the Wars of the Roses. It begins with the unexpected return of Sir Richard Shelton (Louis Hayward) to his father's castle and his discovery of his father's murder. Conspiracies abound, mysterious assassinations occur, and underground movements are revealed. In the midst of it all, he meets Joanna Sedley (Janet Blair), the daughter of the man accused of killing Sir Richard's father.
Despite the shadowy plots of both the powerful and the rebellious, the film is fairly straightforward, the pace is brisk, and the action scenes—although not staggering in their scope or execution—are adequately enjoyable. It is not a big budget blockbuster by any means, but it is reasonably entertaining as a swashbuckling flick if one can forgive its brevity and the inordinately western folksiness of Edgar Buchanan's portrayal of Lawless, the archer with the black arrows.
Writing: FairDirecting: Good
Acting: Good
Cinematography: Good
Stunts: Good
Swordplay: Fair
Panache: Good
Overall Rating: Good
Swashbuckling Rank: Good
Written by: Richard Schayer, David P. Sheppard, and Tom Seller
Based on: The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
Directed by: Gordon Douglas
Performed by: Louis Hayward, Janet Blair, George Macready, Edgar Buchanan, et al.
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