alexanderdavies-99382 "The Adventures of Don Juan" was the final hurrah for Errol Flynn as far as big budget films were concerned. The film didn't perform very well at the American box office and Jack Warner decided that Flynn was no longer worth the money. The filming was constantly delayed due to Errol Flynn not arriving on time for work allegedly, the budget was out of control, he grew depressed over reviews he read about his film, "Escape Me Never." In addition, Flynn's rather hedonistic lifestyle was taking its toil on his body. He had to wear a tighter costume to hide his expanded waist line and most of the action scenes had to be re-shot several times each. Initially, he and the film's director Vincent Sherman got along quite well as Flynn was receptive to the director's instructions and suggestions. However, things soon changed and by the end of filming, 28 days had been lost for one reason or another. Watching "The Adventures of Don Juan," you would never have guessed there were any problems of any kind. Errol Flynn is great as the womanising, care-free adventurer and Alan Hale features one last time as the ever faithful friend. The look on Flynn's face shows a man who had been through a lot and had experienced what life could throw at him. It is with a slight feeling of sadness that things would change so much for Flynn after this film: No more Alan Hale or Olivia De Havilland, no more big budget films or box office success. The film is played as being tongue-in-cheek for the most part and that was the correct decision. For all of Flynn's way of life, even his character wouldn't stoop so low as to betray his own country. The scene where traitor Robert Douglas attempts to buy Don Juan's loyalty and is turned down highlights this. Juan makes it clear that it fills his heart with horror at the very notion of the King's adviser (Douglas) being the ruler of Spain. Robert Douglas is a very good villain but not quite in Basil Rathbone's league. The set design and the photography are first class. I can actually picture Spain as it might have looked back in the day when this film was based. The music is very good as well, it is a real stirring composition. The swordplay scenes really make this film and they usually occur when Flynn is pushed into action. Vincent Sherman was a fine director in his own right and we see evidence of that here in spades. The last masterpiece Errol Flynn made. His career would never be the same again.

malvernp Errol Flynn is best remembered today for the four classic swashbuckler roles that he played in the 1930s and 1940s.The first three were made when he was young, robust and in the fullness of his prime----"Captain Blood" (1935), "Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) and "The Sea Hawk" (1940). They constitute the cumulative record of a dashingly handsome man whose charm, grace and sheer zest for life leap from the screen.The last----and least known of the four----is "Adventures of Don Juan" (1948). In many ways, it is the most interesting. While he is no longer young----and clearly shows the effects of a life probably too well lived---it represents everything that he ever learned about portraying this kind of hero. "Don Juan" is also the last time we will ever see Flynn in all his glory (in a beautifully restored Technicolor rendition) as our adventurous rogue (albeit an aging one) pursuing his final great quest. It's a pity that most of us will never see this film on a large screen.The TCM DVD for "Don Juan" contains a wonderful commentary track featuring the late director of the film, Vincent Sherman, and the eminent film historian, Rudy Behlmer. It is indispensable in giving the viewer a true appreciation of the film and the many elements that went into its creation.A prior reviewer pointed out that Don Juan's final scene with the Queen reminded him of the Ronald Colman version of "Prisoner of Zenda" (1937). Colman's last scene with Princess Flavia (played by Madeleine Carroll) seems to be the source of the similar one in "Don Juan." In "Zenda," Princess Flavia laments that duty and honor must come before true love. In "Don Juan," it is our hero who instructs the Queen on the very same subjects. Personally, I prefer "Don Juan" for its more touching and natural sentiment.This film should be viewed by anybody interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood who wants to see just how classic films were made---and one of cinema's true stars in his last hurrah!

rbrb Super and spectacular is this movie and gets high marks for the costumes,color,for which it won an Oscar.Womaniser Do Juan returns to his homeland in Spain and in great swashbuckling fencing style needs to save his country from a tyrant who seeks to persuade the Monarchy to go to war.Good story,excellent design and presentation and the whole picture is gloriously colorful with plenty of wit and action.Thank you:TCM.8/10

Robert J. Maxwell This was Flynn's last big one. He was only 38 at the time but had begun drinking in the afternoon, causing problems on the set, what with multiple retakes and a major binge that lasted several weeks. It's not "The Sea Hawk" or "Robin Hood." Still, the film was artfully edited and clearly a lot of money was spent on it. The Technicolor photography is outstanding and nobody ever looked quite so natural in a gaudy period outfit as Flynn. It holds one's interest.The story has Flynn as Don Juan, lover and swordsman, returning to Spain at the beginning of the 1600s. It's really a pastiche, kind of like "The Sea Hawk" with elements introduced from various other films of the genre. There's the well-intentioned Queen, the beautiful Viveca Lindfors of the plump lips and strong features, surrounded by weaklings and traitors who want to go to war -- except for Don Juan, of course. (Cf., "The Sea Hawk.") There's the comic sidekick, Alan Hale. (Cf., all of Flynn's Warners pictures.) The good guys disguised as hooded monks. ("Robin Hood", "The Mark of Zorro.") The hero and villain, face to face and belly to belly, straining at their crossed swords, and the villain sneakily withdrawing a dagger from his belt ("Robin Hood"). The hero captured and thrown into prison to await execution, only to make a spectacular escape. ("Robin Hood", "The Mark of Zorro.") Shadows fighting on the castle wall. ("Robin Hood," "The Prisoner of Zenda".) And so on. Some shot are edited in that are taken directly from "Robin Hood" and "Elizabeth and Essex." Robert Douglas is Duke de Lorca, the heavy. He makes a slimier heavy than Basil Rathbone did. Douglas is okay but Rathbone was a nonpareil with his tall figure, abrupt movements, and darting glances. Perc Westmore was responsible for the make-up. He should be proud of himself for the task with which Flynn must have presented him. But he should be ashamed of himself for what he did to the villains. You know how you can tell the principal villains from everyone else? They all have dark eye shadow, so they look like the ghouls or zombies in a Grade C horror flick. Douglas has this sinister curl down the middle of his forehead that looks painted on.The director, Vincent Sherman, doesn't seem to have compelled any of the performers to act with any subtlety. It's not that kind of movie. But everyone is professionally competent. Alan Hale -- well, it's as if he were your fond uncle. Viveca Lindfors probably puts the most effort into her work. When Flynn enters her life she becomes positively, and literally, breathless. And watch the fleeting expressions that cross her features when Flynn confesses his love for her -- the briefest of half-hopeful smiles followed by a scowl of indignation.The amours of Don Juan occasion some amusing moments. One of the many young ladies who come to watch him instruct the members of the fencing academy leaves her fan behind. When Flynn calls this to her attention, she replies, "You WILL return it, won't you? It's the house on the Plaza Madrid. The last house on the right." "Oh, on the RIGHT," says a resigned Flynn, who has heard this hundreds of times before.The budgets on Flynn's pictures dropped dramatically after "The Adventures of Don Juan." He chain smoked, used drugs, boozed it up daily, and never complained. He died at the age of 50, having lived as he pleased.