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(More customer reviews)What is perhaps the most perfect thing about this movie is that it captures the true essence of the swashbuckling films. "The Black Swan" is both directed and acted with a refreshing abandonment. Everything is let loose and blown up and had fun with, and it's quite a ride from beginning to end. Even such props as the costumes, which can overshadow the people in them, or the script, which can sometimes seem too lofty, only compliment the overall treat. We're given a daring adventure, vibrant characters, and exquisite scenery, and all we're asked is to have fun while we're visiting.
Tyrone Power (as Captain Jamie Waring) and Maureen O'Hara (as Margaret Denby) create the ultimate classic pirate/noblewoman couple, complete with Tyrone's charismatic charm and Maureen's signature spitfire nature. Their scenes together spark with that unique chemistry and also with an effortless humor that is more intelligent than slapstick and yet remains by and large unpredictable. They take turns being abused by just about everyone, including each other, and what should have been the most romantic moment (in bed together, a distinct no-no in Hollywood at the time) is rather a tense moment with death leering over them literally. They make a memorable couple, surrounded by a host of splendid actors.
George Sanders is once again a convincing villain, though far removed from his customary suave and sophisticated roles, and his coarse red beard helps those who might have trouble with this new image. Anthony Quinn is his nasty sidekick, alternately grinning maliciously at Jamie or leering over Margaret. Laird Cregar is wonderful as Captain Morgan, alternately proud of and frustrated with Jamie. Thomas Mitchell is perfectly cast as Jamie's right hand man and the would-be source of wisdom for all of Jamie's women troubles.
You must watch this movie in the same spirit that it was made, with your hair down and your heart open to excitement and your mind turned away from somber matters. Watch it if you want to lose a foul mood, or if you want to see some marvelous (award-winning) cinematography, or if you simply want to escape back into this fantasy world that Hollywood created so long ago--when leading men were as beautiful as their female counterparts, and when leading ladies always wore impeccable makeup, and when grand adventures didn't need to start or end on a tragedy.
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The Black Swan (1942)
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