Cyrano De Bergerac (1950)

83% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(3,029 ratings)

Recreating his stage role, Jose Ferrer stars as Edmond Rostand's Cyrano, a 17th-century French cavalier, poet and swordsman whose prominent proboscis is the subject of many a duel. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne (Mala Powers), but assumes that she'd never love him back due to his… More Recreating his stage role, Jose Ferrer stars as Edmond Rostand's Cyrano, a 17th-century French cavalier, poet and swordsman whose prominent proboscis is the subject of many a duel. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne (Mala Powers), but assumes that she'd never love him back due to his cathedral of a nose. Roxanne is also loved by the handsome Christian (William Prince), who unfortunately can't put two consecutive words together when it comes to pitching woo. Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxanne by feeding him the right words for his midnight courtships and love letters; in this way, Cyrano can vicariously express his own ardor for the fair lady. Years later, Cyrano's deception is revealed, and he dies happily in the arms of his beloved Roxanne, who realizes that she has really loved Cyrano all along--by way of Christian. Cyrano de Bergerac wasn't seen by many paying moviegoers upon its original showing, but its relative box-office failure resulted in an early release to television, where it has remained a perennial attraction for the past forty years. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Michael Gordon
Written By: Carl Foreman
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 16, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Nov 18, 2003
Studio: VCI

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Audiences, traditionally willing to meet this impossibly romantic classic half way, may have to go a bit further this time.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Withal, there is beauty and magic in the things that Cyrano says. He is still a magnificent character. Thank goodness, he is on the screen.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
At least some of the lines in the Rostand play are good.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Stanley Kramer's production, directed by Michael Gordon, is well acted by Jose Ferrer, who won the Best Actor Oscar.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Your opinion of Ferrer's work will depend upon your taste in acting. This is technique work, like Olivier's. The performance feels outward bound, theatrical, expert in that manner.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Jose Ferrer's towering performance overcomes a threadbare budget and indifferent ensemble support.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Yes, even better than "Roxanne."
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...it is this 1950 film interpretation with Jose Ferrer...that wins the day as the most consistently authentic and rewarding English reworking of the play.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...good acting, eloquent dialogue, high adventure, and, most of all, heartbreaking romance.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

A poetic aristocrat with a large nose helps a pretty boy dolt win the heart of the woman they both love. The Rostand play of the same name is one of my favorites, and the conundrum of putting one's personal feelings aside for the good of others is a theme that resonates with me.… More
A poetic aristocrat with a large nose helps a pretty boy dolt win the heart of the woman they both love. The Rostand play of the same name is one of my favorites, and the conundrum of putting one's personal feelings aside for the good of others is a theme that resonates with me. While Jose Ferrer exquisitely captures Cyrano's eloquence and defensive arrogance, the deep-seated pain caused by the story's plot and his own insecurities are almost inscrutable and unexplored by the film. Overall, the source material is so good that it's almost impossible to screw this story up, but I think a more emotionally grounded performance that eclipses Cyrano's performative qualities would've made for a stronger interpretation.
Byron B

If I remember correctly, the first time I saw this movie it was a colorized version on VHS. I have now seen it in its original black and white. The colorization was not terrible, but not ideal either and it is really the performances and the classic story that holds your interest in… More
If I remember correctly, the first time I saw this movie it was a colorized version on VHS. I have now seen it in its original black and white. The colorization was not terrible, but not ideal either and it is really the performances and the classic story that holds your interest in either version. It is a high romance with touches of comedy. When I started my Oscar winning film list from the beginning (1927, the final year that silents ruled), I was sure I would be bored by those supposedly ancient films. The first years of talkies were in reality more problematic. This period movie and others from the 1950's, I imagined would be another rough patch in movie history. Jose Ferrer had a commanding grasp of the character of Cyrano from portraying it on stage and deserved the Oscar he won, however. The English translation of the dialog, the composition of the shots, the sword play and Ferrer's performance especially give this movie an unexpected energy, vitality and panache.
Marion R

I just really loved this film. It's not perfect, but It so much fun to watch. There's sword-fighting and poetry. It was just so cool!