MovieChat Forums > The Master of Ballantrae (1953) Discussion > Looking Back On The Aging Errol Flynn

Looking Back On The Aging Errol Flynn

posted 10 years ago by davidwile
2 replies | jump to latest

Hey folks,

I can hardly make a guess as to how many times I have watched Flynn as Robin Hood, Captain Blood, or the Sea Hawk in more than sixty years of enjoying films. Looking back on Flynn in this film, however, does not capture the same excitement he brought to his early films. Seeing him as he looked in 1952 is bad enough, but watching him continue to age badly during the next seven years leading to his death in 1959 at the age of 50 was even worse.

Flynn apparently lived hard and fast, and it would seem to have been most debilitating to him. In spite of his personal life, however, I will continue to remember and enjoy the youthful Flynn who did manage to provide a whole bunch of excitement and joy for me over many years.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] ElKabong1940 (323) 5 years ago

I was shocked how old he looked in this film.

[–] phillipsdan83 (101) 4 years ago

He looks like he's in better shape in CROSSED SWORDS about a year or two later, but after he was unable to complete a dream project about William Tell, he gave up caring entirely and in his final swashbuckler, THE WARRIORS, he makes his appearance in MASTER OF BALLENTRAE look like it was made in his prime.