I Reali di Francia (1959) watch online HD

Exciting adventure film, with kings, moors, gypsies, Chelo Alonso and a script by literate Vittorio Calvino, who provided his knowledge of the period and subject, and his experience in radio dramas to tell a brief, fast and simple tale, combining action and intrigue. Hunk Rik Battaglia is sent by the king of France to the Spanish border, to protect the heirs to the throne who are staying in a majestic and imposing Medieval castle-fortress (a cinegenic structure that is photographed from all angles), but soon the struggle between Spaniards and Arabs controls the proceedings and Chelo discovers she is not what she thought she was. She does not dance this time, leaving the choreography to Liana Orfei, who plays a beautiful fortune-teller gypsy called Jitana. It does not take too long for the villains to die, for the lovers' reunion, and for a bit of religious debate, to reach the happy ending.

With perennial bridesmaid Battaglia the nominal star, a virtual who's who of peplums finest supporting players are given their chance to shine (and it should be noted this film is missing from many CV's on the IMDb).

There must have been some mix-up in the casting department the day that Chelo Alonso was cast as an Arab princess while Liana Orfei was given the role of a feisty Spanish dancer, but casting curiosities aside this is a highly enjoyable romp, with the unimportant plot having something to do with battles between French nobility, Spanish gypsies and Arabian infidels.

Anyone who studied Othello at school may be somewhat confused by a distinct lack of moors!

The (rather posh) English language version available from Atlas Visuals has been dubbed on top of, rather than in place of, the Italian original, giving the effect that there are constantly people talking in the background, amusing at first but it does begin to grate after awhile (adding to the confusion the opening credits are in German!).