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Royal Flash (1975)

Royal Flash (1975)
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Novelist George MacDonald Fraser penned the script for this swashbuckling, picaresque adventure tale. The story is based on one of the books in his "Harry Flashman" series, loose sequels to "Tom Brown's Schooldays" that followed that story's central bully character through his checkered post-graduate military career. Malcolm McDowell plays Captain Harry Flashman, a cowardly, lascivious poseur who desperately seeks entry into high European society. Recognizing an opportunity to advance their own sinister political agendas, scheming Otto Von Bismarck (Oliver Reed) and Rudi Von Sternberg (Alan Bates) convince Flashman to masquerade as a Prussian noble and marry a beautiful duchess (Britt Ekland), a flawed plan to which Flashman agrees. Inevitably, the transparent ruse is discovered, and Flashman is forced to try to escape across 19th century Europe, narrowly missing one disaster after another and experiencing first-hand some of history's most momentous events. Director Richard Lester and Fraser used similar baroque settings, tongue-in-cheek characterizations, elaborate stunts and breakneck pacing for The Three Musketeers (1973) and its sequel, The Four Musketeers (1974) with similar efficacy. Fraser would try again with analogous material three years later with Crossed Swords (1978), a lavish version of The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Malcolm McDowellAlan Bates, (more)
Director(s):
Richard Lester
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Royal Flash

Novelist George MacDonald Fraser penned the script for this swashbuckling, picaresque adventure tale. The story is based on one of the books in his "Harry Flashman" series, loose sequels to "Tom Brown's Schooldays" that followed that story's central bully character through his checkered post-graduate military career. Malcolm McDowell plays Captain Harry Flashman, a cowardly, lascivious poseur who desperately seeks entry into high European society. Recognizing an opportunity to advance their own sinister political agendas, scheming Otto Von Bismarck (Oliver Reed) and Rudi Von Sternberg (Alan Bates) convince Flashman to masquerade as a Prussian noble and marry a beautiful duchess (Britt Ekland), a flawed plan to which Flashman agrees. Inevitably, the transparent ruse is discovered, and Flashman is forced to try to escape across 19th century Europe, narrowly missing one disaster after another and experiencing first-hand some of history's most momentous events. Director Richard Lester and Fraser used similar baroque settings, tongue-in-cheek characterizations, elaborate stunts and breakneck pacing for The Three Musketeers (1973) and its sequel, The Four Musketeers (1974) with similar efficacy. Fraser would try again with analogous material three years later with Crossed Swords (1978), a lavish version of The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
102 mins

Complete Cast of Royal Flash


Director(s):
Richard Lester
Writer(s):
George MacDonald Fraser
Producer(s):
Denis O'DellDavid V. Picker
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Questionable for Children)
Categories:
Action / AdventureComedy
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Member Reviews
 
Joseph W.

A fun, spirited realization of the Fraser Flashman books, much better than I expected it to be from viewing the trailer. I at first thought McDowell was wrong for the part of Handsome Harry, but he does a wonderful job of bringing Flashman to life. The other parts are weill-cast, with the exception of Lola. The movie was great fun, and left me wishing they had made a slew of sequels.

Yes   |   No

 
Tim S.

A bit dated--but decent fun, but nowhere near as great as the series of Flashman books (my all time favorite novels).The probable reason that they adapted this one (one of the weakest of the series) is that it did not have the massive battle scenes, vast armies,etc. that most of the the other Flashman books do. R.I.P, G.M.F.

Yes   |   No

 
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