MovieChat Forums > The War Lord (1965) Discussion > Unattributed writing credit.

Unattributed writing credit.

posted 20 years ago by ronwalker-3
8 replies | jump to latest

Although it wasn't credited, this film follows the plot of a novel by R.C. Sherriff very closely indeed. Sherriff is better known as a playright (especially for "Journey's End" and a scriptwriter. The novel was called "The siege of Swayne Castle". (ISBN 0-00-671056-5) it was printed in paperback as a children's tale in 1975. The film was released 10 years earlier... One has to wonder which came first. Sherriff's plot idea, or the movie. If anyone out there knows....

[–] BobDaviesML 20 years ago

The end scene where Heston sends his love away, is a rip-off of the end scene of "For Whom The Bell Tolls" (1942) where Gary Cooper tells Ingrid Bergman "If You go, I go too; that way we both go." I had never seen the War Lord till yesterday and I quoted this bit before Heston said it, roaring with laughter at my own cleverness!!!!!!!

[–] lynne_larson 20 years ago

The story is adapted from a play - as I remember- titled, "The Lovers". I cannot recall the author or date of publication, but it shouldn't be hard to track down.

[–] lynne_larson 20 years ago

addendum:

"The Lovers" was written by Leslie Stevens in 1956. Stevens a well known writer for film and TV.

[–] egads 18 years ago

Had a (very) short Broadway run - interesting casting, with Darren McGavin as Chrysagon, Raymond Burr as Draco and (I believe) Joanne Woodward as the borrowed bride...

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=2416

[–] cmgeyer 14 years ago

Draco was played by a Broadway stalwart (actor and stage manager) named Robert Burr (not Raymond Burr).

The 1956 production had a cast of 40(!!!!) and ran only 4 performances. Astonishing that producers used to think they could make a financial go of productions that large -- most musicals today wouldn't even have that many performers, let alone a straight-play period drama. What different times.

[–] DD-931 18 years ago

Ronwalker-3 clearly says the movie "came out ten years EARLIER" (My emphasis). You are the one who is "NOT correct" (Your emphasis), kreth-2.

Ooh, I bet you're itching to use the word "moron" now, kreth-2, aren't you?

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] lexyladyjax 13 years ago

I finally found this book but it's only available in the UK, blast and damn it.