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Adventures Of Don Juan Blu-ray Review

‘Adventures Of Don Juan’ is a classic Errol Flynn starring film. 

1948’s ‘Adventures Of Don Juan’ is a swashbuckling adventure from writers George Oppenheimer and Harry Kurnitz and director Vincent Sherman. This Technicolor classic revolves around the Spanish Noble Don Juan who is an expert swordsman and a notorious ladies man. After posing as a Duke, being arrested, and being disgraced by a scandal, Don Juan is bailed out by the Spanish Ambassador Count de Polan. Don Juan soon finds himself headed back to Spain where he is assigned service by Queen Margaret to act as a fencing instructor. Of course, matters become complicated when Don Juan and Queen Margaret fall for one another all while the treasonous power hungry Duke de Lorca tries to take power from King Phillip III and start a war between Spain and England.

While perhaps not as well known as other swashbuckling Errol Flynn cinematic adventures like ‘The Adventures Of Robin Hood’ and ‘The Sea Hawk,’ ‘Adventures Of Don Juan’ deserves to be in the conversation as one of Flynn’s best. It’s the type of classic Hollywood movie that just has everything you could want. There’s intense sword fighting sequences, big and detailed sets, sharp dialogue, lavish costumes, a rousing score by Max Steiner, a talented cast, an emotional forbidden love story, a nasty villain in Duke de Lorca, and a now iconic character at the center of it all. It’s also consistent all the way through and perfectly paced which is even more impressive given the film’s production issues with Flynn being absent from numerous shooting days.

Speaking of the talented cast, expect to see the likes of Errol Flynn, Viveca Lindfors, Raymond Burr, Alan Hale, and Robert Douglas. Flynn may have been getting on in years at this point in his career but he’s as dashing and suave as ever when it comes to action, drama and romance. Nobody has or likely will ever do swashbuckling movies better than Flynn. Viveca Lindfors shines as Queen Margaret, Alan Hale plays off Flynn well as his right hand man Leporello, and Robert Douglas is perfect as the villainous Duke.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? A glorious hi-def print of this Technicolor classic.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Quite a lively 2.0 track.

Extras:
* Theatrical trailer
* Commentary by director Vincent Sherman and historian Rudy Behlmer.
* 2 short films- ‘Calgary Stampede’ and ‘So You Want To Be On The Radio.’
* A WB cartoon titled ‘Hare Splitter.’
* A newsreel about Miss America Of 1948

‘Adventures Of Don Juan’ is available at the Amazon Warner Archive Store and other online retailers.

August 6, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Adventures Of Don Juan Blu-ray Review, Classic Movie, Errol Flynn, Swashbuckling Movie, Warner Archive