SusanB Matthews

The camera travels along as if on a great wave, abetted by a surging, joyous music soundtrack--that is, the original music soundtrack. But the Michael Nyman score which replaces the original is a bitter disappointment to this film aficionado. It may be verboten to say anything negative about the brilliant master creator Nyman, a favorite of mine, but his soundtrack lacks the glorious motion of the original. Instead of the flow, it pauses, moves, pauses, and even indulges in something very close to "mickey-mousing." (Look it up, if a definition is needed.) Why chop up something so lovely? Compare the original music and the Nyman music accompanying the wonderful forward motion of the trotting horse in the early part of the film. Can say no more--heart is too full.

A product of the fine director Don Siegel. Snappy dialogue and some wacky doings--Mitchum wandering into a herd of goats, etc. Fun and full of surprises.

A film based on a Sir Walter Scott novel would be expected to show some action; the most significant action in this film occurs when lovely Virginia Mayo smiles and her cheeks pop forth. The direction is leaden, and the art and set design and decoration are pale and slapdash.