Mjeteconer
Just perfect...
Guillelmina
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Spondonman
In this English Civil War action drama the one thing more incongruous during the opening sequence than Ronnie Hilton crooning a 1950's style ballad is the sight of George Baker in costume galloping about on horseback. Get over that and it's plane sailing and you can believe anything. Well I enjoyed it anyway, it shows an aspect of the Interregnum which has been relatively neglected, much like the film itself.It's the tale of Lord Protector Cromwell briefly played by John Le Mesurier and his army searching high and low for (prospective King) Charles Stuart, who is being protected by the Moonraker, a Loyalist Royalist played by the indefatigable Baker who is trying to get him safely to France. Was a time when brother was against brother over politics and religion, and rabidly too - in fact not like nowadays at all! Careless talk cost lives and no one was to be trusted, a rule not well adhered to in here though. Posh-speaking Baker falls gallantly in love with puritan Sylvia Sims; with the young and healthy as usual the rule is love conquers all. The production values and colour are excellent, the acting OK, the fight scenes bearable when not risible, the soundtrack music occasionally wobbles on the copy I've got but not too distracting and overall 'tis a very pleasant little tale well told, albeit on a low budget. Additionally there's a seemingly endless procession of British "faces" padding out the cast – Peter Arne, George Woodbridge, Marius Goring to name but a few.If possible though because much stamina is required of the viewer what I would really recommend is to first watch the much applauded 2013 British film A Field In England which also has the English Civil War as its backdrop and then compare it to this. The more artistic and worthy film should hopefully be obvious and put this earlier British effort firmly into context. This is (literally) escapist entertainment which admirably helps keep the real world at bay for ninety minutes.
Spikeopath
The Moonraker is directed by David MacDonald and adapted to screenplay by Robert Hall, Wilfred Eades and Alistair Bell from the Arthur Watkin play. It stars George Baker, Sylvia Syms, Marius Goring, Peter Arne, Clive Morton, Richard Leech, Iris Russell and Paul Whitsun-Jones. Music is by Laurie Johnson and cinematography by Mutz Greenbaum.With the English Civil War just finished, Oliver Cromwell (John Le Mesurier) aims to capture Charles Stuart (Gary Raymond) to stop him replacing his executed father on the throne. However, a Royalist hero known as The Moonraker (Baker) plots to smuggle Stuart to France before Cromwell and his Roundhead followers enact their plans.A British swashbuckler full of derring-do heroics, sword fights, boo- hiss villains and gorgeous Technicolor photography. Why then is The Moonraker little known or under seen? Perhaps it comes down to availability on home formats over the years? Or TV rights preventing it from being shown elsewhere other than good old Blighty? Either way it's a shame and fans of swashbucklers should definitely consider seeking this one out.The name Moonraker in this parlance is put to a smuggler who would hide his goods in the village pond and then go back at midnight to rake said goods out. Here the " Moonraking" involves smuggling important human beings out of harms way. The Moonraker in question is Earl Anthony of Dawlish, a Royalist Cavalier Scarlet Pimpernel type, a bally hero of devilish good looks and courage unbound; I mean why jump through a gap when you can dive through it instead? Cue under cover disguise, bluffings between hero and villains, simmering romance and a base station inn where many shenanigans unfold. It's not based on historical facts, it's a work of fiction, but much thought has gone into the period design, collectively impressive in architecture, weapons and clothing. How nice to actually see an English Civil War based buckling of the swash!Location work is spread about the place, where even though much of the second half of film is based inside the crafty Royalist supporting inn, there's still some lovely exteriors to enjoy. The makers missed a trick by not homaging the lead character by doing some work at beautiful Dawlish in Devon, but Wiltshire, Dorset and Kent prove to be appealing places for scenes. Ronnie Hilton's theme song over the opening credits is a bit off the pace of the movie, in that it doesn't quite fit as a starting point, but the song itself proves to play well as part of the narrative. Cast are mixed but nobody stinks the film out, Baker is no Flynn, Power or Granger, but he makes for a very likable handsome hero and he is very comfortable performing the excellently choreographed fight sequences. Syms looks radiant and gorgeous, even if the character doesn't call for her to thesp greatly. While elsewhere the most fun performance comes from Whitsun-Jones as Parfitt, a big rotund Royalist full of bluster and bravado, when asked his occupation he bellows "gentleman", you hear him and believe him and he will later on in the film get "one" of those great cinematic moments.The Moonraker, hooray! If you be a swashbuckling fan then you owe it to yourself to put this on your list of must sees! 7.5/10
Screwtape-The-Daemon
It is a real shame this film has received so little attention from fans and critics over the years. It is by far one of the most watchable, entertaining, and interesting swashbucklers made.The period and setting of the English Civil War is a much-underused one, the Moonraker serves up every aspect of this tortured period of England's history. The fantastic consumes, magnificent mansions, and dashing heroes, offset by the darker aspects of The Civil War: hatred, mistrust, and exile. The storyline of chase and escape though not complex, is rich enough to offer the viewer with everything a swashbuckler requires; revenge, hatred, honour, courage romance and of course swordplay!! Not enough buckles are swashed as accurately or as interestingly as they are in the Moonraker. Unlike in many swashbucklers where the actors brandish weapons from a mix of different periods(usualy totally wrong), the Moonraker pays huge attention to historic accuracy in all the weapons and armour used. The same attention to detail went into the elaborate costumes and hugely impressive use of the sets, including the actual Bodiam Castle!The actual action itself is very well done, larger group battles contrasted with intense one-on-one action between our hero Lord Dawlish, (George Baker), and his nemesis the insidious Major Greg, (the late Peter Arne). Their duel in the darkened inn is probably one of the most atmospheric and well choreographed duels in any British film. This compared to perhaps the best duel on film ever that between Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin in the Princess Bride. The larger battles once again demonstrate Bakers terrific athleticism, backed by the dogged Clive Morton as Lord Harcourt.The rest of the straightforward story is carried though by the excellent supporting cast, Notably Marius Goering as Colonel Beaumont, and the ever brilliant John Le Mesurier as a sullen, though surprisingly good looking version of the very ugly Oliver Cromwell. However,the Star-supporting actor has to be the little known, and equally underrated Paul Whitsun-Jones as Mr Parfitt. Parfitt adds much of the films light relief with his pompous tirades which accurately reflected the manner and feelings of much of the gentry of the period. Whitsun-Jones shows his fantastic versatility at the end of the film, throwing off his blustery comic role, and donning that of a hero; doing his part for King and Country. Parfitt supplies probably the most poignant moment in the film as he sacrifices his own life so the King, and his hero The Moonraker, can escape.Sylvia Syms is faultless though not outstanding as the love interest Anne Whyndham,and the future Dr Who Patrick Troughton is also well placed as the harassed and hard-nosed Captain Wilcox.The only letdowns acting-wise are the King (Gary Raymond), and to a lesser degree the Innkeeper Henry Strangeways (Richard Leech). Leech is far too subdued as the salt-of-the-earth Landlord, plus his Irish accent is poorly hidden by his woeful attempt at west-country drawl.Raymond is far to effete as Charles Stuart, lacking the flare or energy of either Baker or Morton as he glides about, or poses like a ballet dancer. His best moment is in the duel in the cloisters where he picks up his act, only for it to tail off again almost at once.However the casting of Michael Anderson Jr as young Martin Strangeways has to be the most ghastly oversight of the whole film. This very British film is let down by the very American sounding 'brat actor', who's strong American accent grates irritatingly alongside Bakers refined English. Mercifully his appearances are both short and few.Overall the film is a triumph of 'all British' swashbuckling. While predictable it is not corny as so many swashbucklers are. The key cast is kept small (and almost all are fantastic), the romantic twist not long and drawn out so as to be tiresome, and the fighting fast paced and frequent. As well as this it's a family film with few of the crudities or disembowellings of modern swashbucklers whilst retaining a realistic level of violence.A must for fans of buckle swashing or historical themed films, and highlyrecommended for everyone else. 7.5/10
noelcox
"The Moonraker" is an account of the escapades of a dedicated Cavalier gentleman, Anthony Earl of Dawlish, aka Mr Rice, pursued by Roundhead soldiers seeking King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. George Baker, as Dawlish, brings to life a Scarlet Pimpernel type character, who skillfully manages to assume the identity of a puritan scholar whilst rescuing supporters of the late King's son from the army of Cromwell.This is a neglected film, which deserves more attention than it has received. Although in the second half it tends to restrict action to the environs of an inn, there is much to enjoy in the detail. The personal motivations of protagonists are also laid bare, and more than one is called to question their convictions.
