Moonfleet, written by Margaret Fitts, directed by Fritz Lang - 8 out of 10

Moonfleet, written by Margaret Fitts, directed by Fritz Lang
8 out of 10


For a strange reason, this cinephile thought that this motion picture is included on The New York Times' Best 1,000 Movies list.

This was why I have seen it, even if the debut was not promising and the continuation was less than overwhelming.
It is directed by Fritz Lang however and one of the best actors ever, George Sanders plays Lord Ashwood with panache, style and incredible talent.

Stewart Granger is also good in the dual role of Jeremy Fox, a dashing man who has the appearance of an aristocrat, but does not behave like a noble.
Fox is the equivalent of perhaps two centuries ago of a Godfather.

He is the Don Corleone of a group of bootleggers, albeit he is contested at one point.
A boy of perhaps eight, John Mohune, arrives in Moonfleet, Dorset, looking for Fox.

This Don Juan is not interested in the one who may be his child, the result of his many love affairs.
Not in the first place.

For he becomes attached to the one who also becomes an accomplice, helping him in one occasion, in his criminal activity.
When the gang members consider the child a liability, one who could cooperate with the authorities and give them details about their illegal acts, they want to eliminate him.

One of the most ferocious, even challenges Fox and consequently they fight.
It is one of the scenes we know, from other cape and sword movies.
Aside from the action, the jumps, acrobatic escapes, the psychological, emotional side is more important.

Fox could have avoided the duel, in which he could have died.
But he now cares for the boy and is ready to risk is life for him.

Overall, Moonfleet is an interesting feature, worth watching if it is scheduled on TNT, but otherwise, it is not sublime.