Cultured Mario and outlaw Lucien, twins separated at birth, join forces to avenge their parents' death at the hands of evil Colonna. Because each feels all the same sensations experienced by the other, swordplay is difficult for them. Worse yet, raised very differently, they struggle to find common ground between their conflicting personalities. But to defeat their enemy, the two will have to overcome the obstacles and work as a team.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Lucien Franchi / Mario Franchi
Ruth Warrick
Countess Isabelle Gravini
Akim Tamiroff
Baron Colonna
J. Carrol Naish
Lorenzo
H.B. Warner
Dr. Enrico Paoli
John Emery
Tomasso
Henry Wilcoxon
Count Victor Franchi
Gloria Holden
Countess Franchi
Walter Kingsford
Monsieur Dupre
Nana Bryant
Madame Dupre
Pedro de Cordoba
Count Gravini
Veda Ann Borg
Maria
William Farnum
Priest
Sarah Padden
Nurse
Manart Kippen
Martelli
Ruth Robinson
Angela
Richard Alexander
Castle Guard (Uncredited)
Wilson Benge
The Baron's Butler (Uncredited)
Henry Brandon
Marquis de Raveneau (Uncredited)
Anthony Caruso
Baron's Henchman (Uncredited)
James Craven
Giovanni (Uncredited)
Sonia Darrin
Opera Spectator (Uncredited)
Ralph Dunn
Messenger, Arturo's Steward (Uncredited)
Eddie Foster
Messenger, Alberto's Steward (Uncredited)
Frank Hagney
Torture Cell Guard (Uncredited)
Isabel La Mal
Opera Spectator (Uncredited)
Paul McVey
Cousin Philip Franchi (Uncredited)
Milburn Morante
Guard (Uncredited)
Edgar Norton
Colonna's Barber (Uncredited)
Isabel Randolph
Countess Isabelle's Mother (Uncredited)
Frank Richards
Colonna's Henchman (Uncredited)
Count Stefenelli
Opera Spectator (Uncredited)
Charles Stevens
Shepherd (Uncredited)
William Tannen
One of Lucien's Men (Uncredited)
Rick Vallin
De Revenau's Friend at Opera (Uncredited)
Roland Varno
De Revenau's Friend at Opera (Uncredited)
Dorothy Vernon
Townswoman at Celebration (Uncredited)
Director
Gregory Ratoff
Adaptation
Howard Estabrook
Adaptation, Screenplay
George Bruce
Novel
Alexandre Dumas
March 6, 2025
6
Alexander Dumas liked stories about separated twins so this time we find it is brothers “Mario” and “Lucien” (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) who are born conjoined. The doctor manages to separate them but before they can do much more, violence at the hands of the cunning “Baron Colonna” (Akim Tamiroff) robs them of their parents and the boys are split up. “Mario” ends up being well brought up and used to the finer things in life whilst “Lucien” becomes a highwayman but both have a sensation that they are not alone! When they do finally meet, they begin to understand just how connected their spirits actually are and how easily they can feel each other’s pain - and they both determine to avenge their murdered parents. As a team they are chalk and cheese, and so must learn to trust each other - and that’s not made any easier as both of them fall for the “Countess Isabelle” (Ruth Warrick) who is also the object of the desires of their scheming nemesis. With love triangles all over the places and a solid dose of familial vengeance here, too, this is an ideal vehicle for Fairbanks to shine. Somehow, though, he just doesn’t. The photography that puts them both in the same shot regularly is natural but his reconciliation of the two differing characters doesn’t quite come off. Even at it’s most swashbuckling, there’s just a paucity of flare. Not for the first time in his career, it’s really Tamiroff who steals the show with an effort that could easily have inspired the nasty from the “Zorro” adventures from the late 1950s. The production looks great though and when there is action, it mixes the swordplay with a little humour and delivers a perfectly watchable adventure film that though it does disappoint, that’s maybe just because I had higher expectations of this actor in his element. It’s still worth watching.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$1,300,000.00