The Sword and the Rose

3/25/2023

Hats of to Walt Disney (and to James Robertson Justice) for managing to turn the rather unpleasant English King Henry VIII into an engaging, cheeky character who likes nothing better than to spat with his younger sister Mary (Glynis Johns) who is determined to live her own life, despite her brother's dynastic ambitions for her. She alights on the newly appointed captain of the King's Guard "Brandon" (Richard Todd), a character with ambitions to sail the world seeking plunder and glory, but her kingly sibling has decided to wed (sell, basically) her to the aging French King Louis XII (a fun scene with Jean Mercure). After a few escapades, she is forced to acquiesce - otherwise her beau will face the axe - but she does manage to exacts a few useful pre-conditions that will allow her to choos