The Prince And The Pauper

Of the twenty-plus versions of Mark Twain’s classic story, including the Barbie version, Mickey Mouse cartoon (1990), the 1937 Errol Flynn movie and a TV one with Nicholas Lyndhurst (1976), the silliest – and most enjoyable – must be the 1977 version, known as Crossed Swords when it was released in the US. Directed by Fantastic Voyage’s Richard Fleischer, and featuring a star-studded cast including Oliver Reed, Ernest Borgnine, George C Scott and Rex Harrison (not to mention pin-up Raquel Welch and a hilarious Charlton Heston as King Henry), it’s a spirited swashbuckler as poor Tom swaps places with Henry VIII’s son Edward (both played by Lester) for a prank that gets out of hand.
While the various American accents clash and Lester seems a little old and uncomfortable for the dual role of Tom and Edward, this thunders along with glee, and Reed especially is terrific in his role as Miles Hendon. A rollicking adventure if you don’t take it seriously, brimming over with lavish costumes and thigh-slapping fun.