Enjoy the Show! _______________________ I Believe all media should be enjoyed ______________________ So here is a classic! _______________________ Title: Cyrano de Bergerac Year: 1950 Director: Michael Gordon Production Company: Stanley Kramer Productions Distributor: United Artists Genres: Drama, Romance, Historical, Period Piece Runtime: 113 minutes Language: English Country: United States Color/B&W: Black and White Sound: Mono Status: Public Domain (select prints) Cast: José Ferrer as Cyrano de Bergerac Mala Powers as Roxane William Prince as Christian de Neuvillette Morris Carnovsky as Le Bret Ralph Clanton as Comte de Guiche Lloyd Corrigan as Ragueneau Virginia Farmer as Duenna Edgar Barrier as Cardinal Richelieu (uncredited) Plot Summary: Set in 17th-century France, Cyrano de Bergerac tells the story of a nobleman, soldier, poet, and duelist named Cyrano who is cursed with a conspicuously large nose, making him self-conscious and hesitant in love. Though eloquent and brave, Cyrano believes his appearance makes him unworthy of affection. Secretly in love with his beautiful and intelligent cousin Roxane, he is heartbroken when she confesses to loving Christian, a handsome but tongue-tied young soldier. Cyrano, hiding his own feelings, helps Christian woo Roxane by supplying him with the eloquent words she longs to hear. The ruse leads to romantic confusion, tragic misunderstanding, and eventually heartbreak. Cyrano's unflinching honor and hidden devotion to Roxane form the emotional core of the film, culminating in a bittersweet ending that underscores love, sacrifice, and unspoken devotion. Themes: Beauty vs. Inner Worth: A central exploration of how physical appearance affects perception and love. Unrequited Love: Cyrano’s hidden passion for Roxane drives much of the drama, highlighting noble suffering. Honor and Sacrifice: Cyrano sacrifices personal happiness to protect the feelings of others. Wit and Eloquence: The power of language is central to Cyrano’s identity and charm. The Tragic Hero: Cyrano is an idealist doomed by his own sense of pride and loyalty. Production Notes: Adapted from Edmond Rostand’s 1897 French play, with the screenplay largely taken from Brian Hooker's acclaimed English translation in verse. The role of Cyrano had long been a passion project for José Ferrer, who performed it on stage to great acclaim before reprising it for the screen. The film was made on a modest budget of under $1 million but featured lavish costumes and period-accurate sets. Ferrer wore a specially crafted prosthetic nose which became a defining feature of both the character and performance. Trivia: Academy Award Win: José Ferrer won the Oscar for Best Actor, becoming the first Hispanic actor to win in that category. Legacy: This film cemented Ferrer's legacy and remains the most iconic screen portrayal of Cyrano for many viewers. Stage to Screen: The production was initially considered too "stagey" by some critics, but Ferrer's dynamic performance helped elevate the cinematic experience. Public Domain Confusion: Some prints of the film fell into public domain due to a lapse in renewal, making it a staple in classic movie compilations and low-cost DVD sets. Inspirations and Adaptations: The story of Cyrano has been retold in many formats, including the modern films Roxanne (1987) starring Steve Martin and Cyrano (2021) starring Peter Dinklage. Reception and Legacy: Upon release, the film received praise primarily for Ferrer’s magnetic performance and the faithful adaptation of the play’s poetic language. Though some criticized the pacing and budget constraints, it is remembered as a high point in mid-century literary cinema. Over the decades, it has remained a favorite among fans of romantic period dramas and is often screened in literature and drama classes. The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." _______________________ Thank you for watching — feel free to like, comment, and subscribe for more classic movies and other content that might be of interest. _______________________ #PublicDomain #PublicDomainMovies #ClassicMovies #FreeMovies #VintageMovies #RetroCinema #OldMovies #FullMovie #MovieNight #FreeToWatch #ClassicCinema #MovieLovers #CinemaHistory #FilmHistory #TimelessMovies #MustWatch #OldSchoolCinema #CultClassic #HiddenGems #NowPlaying #GoldenAgeOfCinema #MoviesOnline #WatchFree #ClassicHollywood #RetroMovies #PublicDomainFilm #FreeFilm #ClassicEntertainment #WatchNow #StreamingFree #MovieArchive #HistoricCinema #LegendaryMovies #FilmBuff #MovieBuff #IndependentCinema #ClassicAdventure #VintageFilm #OldSchoolMovies #ReliveTheClassics #PublicDomainCinema #TimelessClassics #CinematicTreasures #GoldenOldies #MovieClassics #RetroFilm #ClassicScreen #OldMovieNight #CinemaLovers