Directed by King Vidor
Starring John Gilbert, Eleanor Boardman and Roy D'Arcy
Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Bardelys is the ultimate ladies' man in King Louis XIII court. He's bedding the wives of other men, then casually dueling them until they relent and leave. It's all a lark to him and he's having the time of his life.
There is something he cares about though: honor. And when his rival Chatellerault is rejected by the beautiful Roxalanne, the man plays on Bardelys pride. Chatellerault bets Bardelys that he cannot win the hand of the maiden. Bardelys at first laughs off the bet, but having his romantic prowess questioned in public shames him into accepting.
The bet is immediately complicated when the king prohibits his court from leaving due to the growing civil unrest in the surrounding countryside. Bardelys, with the bet and his honor on the line, defies his monarch and heads off to find Roxalanne.
He comes across a dying man named Lesperon and, after a brief exchange and the man's death, Bardelys assumes his identity. Later, Bardelys encounters some of the king's soldiers. Because he is a fugitive, he passes himself off as Lesperon. Bad move. It turns out Lesperon was the leader of the rebellion against the king. Bardelys battles the men and escapes, but is wounded. He collapses outside of Roxalanne's estate.
The woman nurses the man she believes to be Lesperon back to health. They fall in love. There's a boat ride through a willow tree. However, when the moment comes to marry his love, Bardelys cannot bring himself to do it. The relationship is built on a lie. Angry, the woman summons the soldiers to take "Lesperon" away.
Bardelys is brought to trial before a panel of judges that includes Chatellerault. The villain refuses to correct Bardelys true identity and he is sentenced to death.
Can Bardelys escape the executioner? And will he win the hand of Roxalanne?
Let's get this out of the way: the plot is really silly. Bardelys is a regular in King Louis' court, but nobody recognizes him? The supposed leader of the rebels is off convalescing with Roxalanne and he is still considered the leader of the rebels? Roxalanne and her dad (who are both sympathizers with the rebellion) never ask their guest whether he should be off, you know, rebelling?
Here's the thing though. Bardelys the Magnificent has a momentum and proficiency that captivates you while you are watching it. Crucial to this is the acting and magnetism of John Gilbert in the lead.
Gilbert elevates the material through his nuanced portrayal of the lead character. The changes that wash over his face throughout sell the tale and pull the audience along. There are so many big moments that he sells with his performance. His awkward attempts to laugh off the bet. The change in his eyes as Roxalanne professes his love and he feels the weight of his guilt. The relief and then horror as he slowly realizes Chatellerault is betraying him in the court. They are scenes that need no dialogue cards to express what is going on.
Eleanor Boardman is perfect as the object of Bardelys desire. She is fiery, but tender. Most silents fall into the trap of making their women a cipher or a plot device. Boardman's Roxalanne is a person. She has her own political views and she doesn't bow to any man.
The other star of note is Roy D'Arcy as Chatellerault. He's a cunning villain, taking full advantage when opportunity presents itself. He is also terrifically over the top, particularly in the court scene. He doesn't just play that he doesn't recognize Bardelys; he does so with a knowing wink at his rival that twists the knife further.
The direction by King Vidor is one of constant motion. There are two scenes that show the director's mastery over different types of emotion. First is the boat ride through the willows. This is pure paperback romance. They sit across from each other as the willow branches touch them. They embrace, him kissing her, her writhing in pleasure. It's foreplay and consummation, as close to sex as you'll get in 1926.
The other is Bardelys' escape attempt from the executioner. It's the first time I can remember seeing action choreography married to cinematography in such a compelling way. We get point of view shots as Bardelys slides down some long handled axes. We get a perspective looking down on the actor as he swings from a banner. The scene is endlessly inventive in how he uses the setting and its weapons to create a getaway.
The climax between Bardelys and Chatellerault gets a little too melodramatic for my tastes. The whole set-up of the scene seems like a way to both have a satisfying duel and keep the blood off of our hero's hands.
In the end, Bardelys almost out swashbuckles Douglas Fairbanks. In many ways the film is superior to Fairbanks' productions because it actually pays attention to the female lead and writes her as more than a prize to be won. Of, course others' mileage may vary, but Bardelys the Magnificent is a pleasant and welcome surprise.
**** out of *****
NOTE: Bardelys the Magnificent was considered a lost film until 2006 when a nearly complete print was found. The film is missing the third reel. The available version of the movie includes production stills and dialogue cards in the place of the missing scenes.
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