Lee Eisenberg I haven't read Edmond Rostand's original novel - apparently a fictionalized account of Cyrano de Bergerac's life - but Michael Gordon's* screen adaptation is a fine romp. Cyrano is the type of guy who always has something to say, especially if he wants to express his affection for a woman. José Ferrer (in an Academy Award-winning performance) portrays him as a dude who spares nothing in standing up for his honor. And damned if Mala Powers isn't a babe!The only other adaptation that I've seen is 1987's "Roxanne", starring Steve Martin as a long-nosed fire chief wooing a young student. Both that one and this one are worth seeing. "Cyrano de Bergerac" might not be the greatest movie ever, but it's fun, and that's what's important. Good one.*Michael Gordon is Joseph Gordon-Levitt's grandfather.

TheLittleSongbird Being a big fan of the Gerard Depardieu version, I was all for seeing this film from 1950 with Jose Ferrer. And I found it excellent. I have seen more beautiful-looking films elsewhere, but the film is well shot and the costumes and sets do have a certain charm to them. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score is suitably rousing, the sword play is clever and never clumsy and the script is witty and poetic, while the story never fails to thrill or move me in the way it should do. It is well directed by Michael Gordon also. Of the acting, faring weakest was Mala Powers, she is beautiful but not much is done for me to make her beyond that. William Prince is more than adequate and Ralph Clanton sneers effectively as De Guiche. But the film, same goes with the story itself too, really belongs to Jose Ferrer. As much as I loved his performance in Moulin Rouge, it is in Cyrano De Bergerac where he is at his finest, really resonating with me by how dignified and moving he was. Overall, excellent and worth seeing for especially Ferrer. 9/10 Bethany Cox

John T. Ryan UNITED ARTISTS Corporation presents A Stanley Kramer ProductionCYRANO de BERGERAC From the play by Edmond Rostand. Adaptation by Brian Hooker (Translation) and Carl Foreman (additional dialog). Director Michael Gordon. Producer Stanley Kramer. Associate Producer George Glass. Film Editor Harry Gerstad. Original Musical Score by Dimitri Tiomkin. Cinematographer Frank Planer. Production Designer Rudolph Stenard Starring Jose Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince. with Morris Canovsky, Ralph Clanton, Lloyd Corrigan, Virginia Farmer, Edgar Barrier, Elena Verdugo, Albert Cavens, Arthur Blake, Don Beddoe, Percy Helton, Virginia Christine, Gil Warren, Phillip van Zandt, Eric Sinclair, Richaed Avonde, Paul Duboy, John Crawford, Jerry Paris, Robin Hughes, Francis Pierlot, John Harmon.The screen play opened up just about exactly as it was written by Monsieur Edmond Rostand in 1897. As the opening title cards and credits all roll by, we discover that we are in a theatre, Paris in 1640. The current play begins to open before a fairly full house. As the first few painfully dull lines of dialogue are spoken by the Parisian thespians, we are made aware of a boisterous heckler disrupting the dramatic proceedings.The gentleman doing the heckling turns out to be our story's main character and protagonist par excellence, Cyrano de Bergerac (Mr. Jose Ferrer). His verbal barbs continue, and he eventually confronts the playwright and theatre manager, insisting that the play be closed. Cyrano pays a generously large sum in order that the theatrical company be paid and the patrons refunded their Ticketmaster Costs.Upon his being questioned about blowing his whole bankroll in just one moment, he replies, "Yes, but what a moment!"He then is forced into a duel by another theatre patron who purposely insults him about his large nose. He composes a poem about the duel during the sword play and ends both the poem and the duel together at the precise same moment. Monsieur Cyrano, you see is a Master Swordsman and Professional Soldier, as well as a Poet. We learn of his love for the fair Roxanne (Mala Powers), a distant cousin. But he thinks that he dare not even approach her because of his grotesquely over-sized nose. Through a strange set of circumstances, he winds up schilling for one Christian de Neuvilette (William Prince), also a soldier and in Cyrano's unit.It turns out to be the same old Eternal Triangle, as Cyrano loves Roxanne, but she digs this Christian character, but so strong is Cyrano's love that he says nothing for his own interests. He instead coaches the young Christian in the poetic language of love. When the two soldiers are called to active duty at the front in wartime, it is Cyrano who writes letters to the fair Roxanne, but in Christian's name.When Christian is killed, Roxanne enters a lifetime of seclusion in a convent, but Cyrano remains mute on his own behalf; going to visit her almost daily and reading aloud "Christian's" letters to her. He maintains his secret almost to the end of his life, almost but no cigar!Just see the Film, and forget about what I've said here. The play is wonderful, the Film magic and Mr. Jose Ferrer is superb. NOTE: The cast listing shows Miss Elena Verdugo as "Orange Girl"; but the film was done in Black & White. So, how could we tell?

Daniel Kincaid "Cyrano de Bergerac" is based on the play by Edmond Rostand about a swordsman and poet with a long nose who helps another man to win the woman he loves. The film's story is an abridged version of the play based on the famous English translation from Brian Hooker.José Ferrer is excellent in the title role as Cyrano de Bergerac. He handles all aspects of the character well, from the sharp poetic dialogue to the reluctance in conveying his feelings to Roxane. The rest of the performances were respectable as well, though clearly the title role requires the most acting ability.This film is criticized for its minimalist sets. Admittedly they never bothered me, but at times the film was excessively dark, especially during the combat scenes toward the end of the film.The story is abridged, but for me the essential components of the story were there with clever verse of Hooker's translation and the tragedy and humor of Rostand's story. The swordplay scenes are believable, though not exceptional other than for Cyrano's ability to fight and compose poetry simultaneously. "Cyrano de Bergerac" is a solid adaptation of Rostand's play best known for a striking performance from José Ferrer.