Disney made a movie where Oliver Reed snarls his way through medieval treachery — and somehow it's family-friendly?
In 15th century England, a civil war called Wars of the Roses is being fought between two rival houses who want the throne. Fresh from battle, a knight finds his family dead. He joins the outlaws led by the Black Arrow (Stephan Chase) to seek justice. The noble Black Arrow foils Sir Brackley's (Oliver Reed) plan to kill one ward (Benedict Taylor) and marry the other. This is a classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson turned into film by Disney pictures.
Acting
Oliver Reed devours scenery like it's his last meal.
Practical Effects
Decent castle brawls before CGI ruined everything.
Director
John Hough
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was part of Disney's short-lived 'Wonderful World of Disney' TV movie push, filmed entirely in Spain with a suspiciously sunny 'England.'
Stevenson's novel was actually pro-Yorkist propaganda; Disney neutered the politics so hard the Wars of the Roses becomes generic 'bad nobles.'
US
