The Exile (1947 film)
Encyclopedia
The Exile is a film directed by Max Ophüls
, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
and María Montez
. The film is based on the novel His Majesty, the King: A Romantic Love Chase of the Seventeenth Century by Cosmo Hamilton
.
(Douglas Fairbanks Jr) heir to the English throne and exiled from the country by Oliver Cromwell
and the Roundheads, seeks refuge in the Netherlands until the time is right to return. Whilst bartering in a local marketplace, he meets Katie (Rita Corday
), a Dutch flower girl. The two fall in love as Charles spends his time hiding out at her inn. The roundheads who are looking throughout Europe for Charles finally find him, and a dramatic battle ensures between Charles and Colonel Ingram (Henry Daniel
l), their leader. Charles defeats Ingram, and is told that he can finally return to England once more. To take the crown though means that Charles has to leave behind the peasant girl Katie, and the two sadly depart.
due to disagreements with producer Howard Hughes
. Douglas Fairbanks Jr, a well known anglophile, had enjoyed Cosmo Hamilton's book and sought to make the film as a tribute to his father Douglas Fairbanks
, a star of Swashbuckler films
of the silent period. Ophüls was recommended to Fairbanks by Robert Siodmak
, the well-known director at the time of The Killers
.
The film was produced by Universal-International Pictures, and whilst the initial plan was for the film to be made in Technicolor
, budget restraints meant that the movie had to be shot in black and white. Though the studio was initially concerned by Ophüls unorthodox filming methods, preferring to film in long takes full of complex camera movements, they eventually warmed to his filmmaking techniques and formed a good relationship. Due to this being his first American film Ophüls was paid $22,600 for the movie, a small amount compared to the usual $75,000 or more that established Hollywood directors received.
Max Ophüls
Maximillian Oppenheimer — known as Max Ophüls — was an influential German-born film director who worked in Germany , France , the United States , and France again...
, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Douglas Elton Fairbanks, Jr. KBE was an American actor and a highly decorated naval officer of World War II.-Early life:...
and María Montez
María Montez
María Montez was a Dominican-born motion picture actress who gained fame and popularity in the 1940s as an exotic beauty starring in a series of filmed-in-Technicolor costume adventure films. Her screen image was that of a hot-blooded Latin seductress, dressed in fanciful costumes and sparkling...
. The film is based on the novel His Majesty, the King: A Romantic Love Chase of the Seventeenth Century by Cosmo Hamilton
Cosmo Hamilton
Cosmo Hamilton , born Henry Charles Hamilton Gibbs, was an English playwright and novelist. He took his mother's maiden name when he began to write. Hamilton was married twice: First to Beryl Faber, née Beryl Crossley Smith, the sister of C...
.
Plot summary
Charles StewartCharles Stewart
-UK people:* Charles Stewart , Scottish-born merchant and officeholder involved in the Somersett Case* Charles William Stewart later Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry...
(Douglas Fairbanks Jr) heir to the English throne and exiled from the country by Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
and the Roundheads, seeks refuge in the Netherlands until the time is right to return. Whilst bartering in a local marketplace, he meets Katie (Rita Corday
Rita Corday
Rita Corday was an American actress. She appeared in 30 films during the 1940s and 1950s.-Selected filmography:* The Falcon Strikes Back * The Body Snatcher * The Exile...
), a Dutch flower girl. The two fall in love as Charles spends his time hiding out at her inn. The roundheads who are looking throughout Europe for Charles finally find him, and a dramatic battle ensures between Charles and Colonel Ingram (Henry Daniel
Henry Daniel
Henry Daniel was a United States Representative from Kentucky. He was born in Louisa County, Virginia. He attended the public schools and then moved to Kentucky. He studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.Daniel was a member of the Kentucky House...
l), their leader. Charles defeats Ingram, and is told that he can finally return to England once more. To take the crown though means that Charles has to leave behind the peasant girl Katie, and the two sadly depart.
Production
This was Max Ophüls first film in Hollywood, after he was fired from his initial project VendettaVendetta (1950 film)
Vendetta is a 1950 film based on the 1840 novella Colomba by Prosper Mérimée, about a young Corsican girl who pushes her brother to kill to avenge their father's murder....
due to disagreements with producer Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
. Douglas Fairbanks Jr, a well known anglophile, had enjoyed Cosmo Hamilton's book and sought to make the film as a tribute to his father Douglas Fairbanks
Douglas Fairbanks
Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was an American actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He was best known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films such as The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood, and The Mark of Zorro....
, a star of Swashbuckler films
Swashbuckler films
Swashbuckler films are an action-adventure subgenre often characterised by swordfighting and adventurous heroic characters, often set in Renaissance Western Europe with appropriately lavish costumes. Morality is often clear-cut, heroic characters are clearly heroic and even villains tend to have a...
of the silent period. Ophüls was recommended to Fairbanks by Robert Siodmak
Robert Siodmak
Robert Siodmak was a German born American film director. He is best remembered as a thriller specialist and for the series of Hollywood film noirs he made in the 1940s.-Early life:...
, the well-known director at the time of The Killers
The Killers (1946 film)
The Killers is a 1946 American film noir directed by Robert Siodmak. It is based in part on the short story of the same name by Ernest Hemingway. The film features Burt Lancaster in his screen debut, as well as Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien, and Sam Levene...
.
The film was produced by Universal-International Pictures, and whilst the initial plan was for the film to be made in Technicolor
Technicolor
Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
, budget restraints meant that the movie had to be shot in black and white. Though the studio was initially concerned by Ophüls unorthodox filming methods, preferring to film in long takes full of complex camera movements, they eventually warmed to his filmmaking techniques and formed a good relationship. Due to this being his first American film Ophüls was paid $22,600 for the movie, a small amount compared to the usual $75,000 or more that established Hollywood directors received.
External links
- Senses of Cinema by Robert Keser