ChrisB13 This movie stinks! Although I have always liked Robert Taylor to some degree I do not find him believable in any period piece I have ever seen him in, including "Quo Vadis." He was a very handsome man and he did, at times, command your attention in some roles but I find his vocal inflections simply too American to be real. Taylor did come to stardom through the studio system and I have always thought they should have insisted he work with a dialect coach for these types of roles. Despite a cast that included Robert Morley, this film simply did not hit the mark. In my opinion the best movie I've ever seen him is was "Waterloo Bridge" where he co-stars with Vivien Leigh.

William Giesin This pleasant 1950's Sir Walter Scott Knight's Tale is a nice jaunt down memory lane. Robert Taylor, a poor man's Errol Flynn, contributes a capable performance as the Scottish Knight, Quentin Durward. What Durward lacks in riches, he more than makes up for in the lost values of chivalry, loyalty and humility. His elderly uncle Lord Crawford (Ernest Thesiger) sends him as an emissary to ask for the lovely, wealthy Isabelle, Countess of Marcroy's (Kay Kendall)hand in marriage. In doing so, Quentin Durward falls in love with her and struggles to fulfill his oath of loyalty to his uncle as he attempts to quell his passion for the Countess. In addition to this, add the political intrigue of two ruling cousins King Louis XI (Robert Morley) and Charles, Duke of Burgandy (Alec Clunes). Both have designs on finding her a suitable spouse that will support their own political intrigue. Consequently, this film has the makings of a full fledged adventure complete with sinister characters such as the evil conniving Count William De la Marek (Duncan Lamont) who has his own ideas to further his ambitions.The Technicolor photography is brilliant, and several actual historical castles were used in the film. The action in the film keeps the audience interested throughout. There are several lapses in transition of the filming which I found questionable. On one occasion the bad guys led by Count William De la Marek have a head start on Quentin Durward as they chase the Countess through the woods. Miraculously, Quentin Durward somehow arrives at a bridge and pulls off an ambush well before the fleeing Countess and the pursuing villains. I could never figure out how he pulled that off! Sadly, this is one of Kay Kendall last films. Actor Rex Harrison's beautiful wife passed away in 1959 of leukemia.

Greg Couture Around the time that Kay Kendall was awarded her role in this MGM costumer, Grace Kelly, who had first been considered for the role, said, in an interview in which she admitted declining the role, "All I would have had to do was clutch my jewel box and flee!" Along with her ceding the title role to Tippie Hedren in Hitchcock's "Marnie" (filmed after her ascension to the Grimaldi throne), Grace seemed to have had her sights set upon the real royalty of Monaco, rather than continuing her reign as one of cinema's loveliest princesses!

Igenlode Wordsmith This is a film to be watched with a wide and affectionate grin. Outstanding are Robert Morley as Louis XI, the infamous and wily 'Spider' of France, and Robert Taylor as the eponymous Durward, a would-be chivalrous hero born out of his time who is none too sure of himself. The necessary, and highly satisfactory, heroics are spiced with a rich leavening of humour and some genuine moral questions - how much should a man sacrifice for his country's sake? His love? His life? His honour? But above all it is a joyous and thrilling romp that doesn't take itself too seriously. Durward wants to be a knight in shining armour, but circumstances tend to conspire against him, and his lady is definitely the stronger-willed of the two; though like the audience, she cannot resist his puppydog charm. And ambiguous, cynical, cowardly Louis is often in danger of stealing the show outright, as he sits at the centre of his web and pulls the strings that manipulate all the other characters - a far-from-two-dimensional villain after my own heart! Definitely a superior swashbuckler, with a saving vein of humour.