Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)

Cyrano de Bergerac
Directed by Michael Gordon
Written by Carl Foreman from the play by Edmond Rostand as translated by Brian Hooker
1950/USA
Stanley Kramer Productions
First viewing/Amazon Instant

[box] Vicomte de Valvert: [to Cyrano] Dolt! Insolent puppy! Jabbernowl!

Cyrano de Bergerac: [bowing, sarcastically] How do you do? And I – Cyrano Savinien Hercule de Bergerac![/box]

José Ferrer seems to have been born to play Cyrano.

Cyrano de Bergerac is a master swordsman and a famous wit.  He would be perfect if not cursed with a big nose.  His sword is at the ready if a jest is made about it though he can equally well wax poetic about it himself.  Cyrano is hopelessly in love with his cousin, the fair Roxanne, but despairs of ever winning her heart.

Roxanne (Mala Powers) finally calls Cyrano to her for an important confidence.  His hopes are up momentarily but it turns out she loves the handsome solider Christian from afar. Christian is a new addition to Cyrano’s regiment.  He is a hunk but hopeless at wooing ladies.  Cyrano takes on this task, writing many passionate love letters on Christian’s behalf and even standing in for him in a balcony scene.

Roxanne falls in love with the poet in Christian and marries him.  He is killed in battle before she can discover his ineptness at romantic talk.

The play is 99% Cyrano’s and Ferrer really delivers.  He is the perfect combination of cynical, romantic, and tragic.  After this, I can’t imagine anyone else playing the part.  The movie itself is less cinematic than an adaptation of a stage play.

José Ferrer won the Oscar for Best Actor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzwsoPK_ve8
Trailer