''The Scarlet Blade'' (released in the United States as ''The Crimson Blade'') is a 1963 British

adventure film An adventure film is a form of adventure fiction, and is a genre of film. Subgenres of adventure films include swashbuckler films, pirate films, and survival films. Adventure films may also be combined with other film genres such as action, ani ...

directed by John Gilling and starring Lionel Jeffries,

Oliver Reed Robert Oliver Reed (13 February 1938 – 2 May 1999) was an English actor known for his well-to-do, macho image and "hellraiser" lifestyle. After making his first significant screen appearances in Hammer Horror films in the early 1960s, his ...

, Jack Hedley and June Thorburn. It is a

period drama A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...

set during the

English Civil War The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Parliamentarians (" Roundheads") and Royalists led by Charles I (" Cavaliers"), mainly over the manner of England's governance and issues of r ...

Plot

When King Charles I is captured by

Roundhead Roundheads were the supporters of the Parliament of England during the English Civil War (1642–1651). Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I of England and his supporters, known as the Cavaliers or Royalists, who ...

forces led by the tyrant Colonel Judd and his right-hand man Captain Sylvester, it is up to a band of locals loyal to the King led by a

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is dep ...

–type character named the Scarlet Blade to try to rescue him. They are helped by Judd's daughter Claire who secretly helps them in defiance of her father.

Cast

* Lionel Jeffries as Colonel Judd *

as Captain Tom Sylvester * Jack Hedley as Edward Beverley, the Scarlet Blade * June Thorburn as Claire Judd *

Michael Ripper Michael George Ripper (27 January 1913 – 28 June 2000) was an English character actor. He began his film career in quota quickies in the 1930s and until the late 1950s was virtually unknown; he was seldom credited. Along with Michael Gough ...

as Pablo * Harold Goldblatt as Jacob * Duncan Lamont as Major Bell * Clifford Elkin as Philip Beverley * Suzan Farmer as Constance Beverley *

John Harvey John Harvey may refer to: People Academics * John Harvey (astrologer) (1564–1592), English astrologer and physician * John Harvey (architectural historian) (1911–1997), British architectural historian, who wrote on English Gothic architecture ...

as Sgt. Grey * Charles Houston as Drury * Robert Rietti as King Charles I * George Woodbridge as Towncryer

External links

* * 1963 films 1960s historical adventure films British historical adventure films Films shot at Associated British Studios English Civil War films Films directed by John Gilling Hammer Film Productions films Columbia Pictures films British swashbuckler films Cultural depictions of Charles I of England 1960s English-language films 1960s British films {{1960s-UK-film-stub