Royal Flash (1975)
-
63% of users liked it
(245 ratings)
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… More 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
- Directed By
- Richard Lester
- Written By
- George MacDonald Fraser
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Classics, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 1, 1975 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 3, 2007
Critic Reviews
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A final outburst of the style of filmmaking Richard Lester was largely responsible for creating.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Malcolm McDowell
as Flashman
-
Alan Bates
as Rudi Von Sternberg
-
Florinda Bolkan
as Lola Montez
-
Oliver Reed
as Otto Von Bismarck
-
Britt Ekland
as Dutchess Irma
-
Lionel Jeffries
as Kraftstein
-
Tom Bell
as De Gautet
-
Joss Ackland
as Sapten
-
Christopher Cazenove
as Hansen
-
Roy Kinnear
as Old Roue
-
Alastair Sim
as Mr. Greig
-
Michael Hordern
as Headmaster
-
Ben Aris
as Fireman
- Margaret Courtenay
-
Leon Greene
as Grundwig
-
Frank Grimes
as Lieutenant
-
Roger Hammond
as Master
- Bob Hoskins
- Richard Hurndall
-
David Jason
as The Mayor
-
Noel Johnson
as Lord Chamberlain
-
Rula Lenska
as Helga
- Richard Pearson
-
Bob Peck
as Police Inspector
-
John Stuart
as English General
- Arthur Brough
-
Les Weldon
as Policeman
