Knight Without Armour
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| Knight Without Armour | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster as reproduced on bookcover |
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| Directed by | Jacques Feyder |
| Produced by | Alexander Korda |
| Written by | Lajos Biró Frances Marion James Hilton (novel) Arthur Wimperis (additional dialogue) |
| Starring | Marlene Dietrich Robert Donat |
| Music by | Miklós Rózsa Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky |
| Cinematography | Harry Stradling Sr. |
| Editing by | Francis Lyon |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | 1 June 1937 |
| Running time | 107 min |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Knight Without Armour is a 1937 historical English drama film made by London Films and distributed by United Artists. It was directed by Jacques Feyder and produced by Alexander Korda from a screenplay by Lajos Biró adapted by Frances Marion from the novel by James Hilton. The music score was by Miklós Rózsa, with additional music by Tchaikovsky. The film stars Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Englishman A.J. Fothergill (Robert Donat) is recruited by Colonel Forrester (Laurence Hanray) to spy on Russia for the British government because he can speak the language fluently. As "Peter Ouranoff", he infiltrates a revolutionary group led by Axelstein (Basil Gill). The radicals try to blow up General Gregor Vladinoff (Herbert Lomas), the father of Alexandra (Marlene Dietrich). When the attempt fails, the would-be assassin is tracked down and killed in Peter's apartment. For his involvement, Peter is sent to Siberia.
World War I makes Alexandra a widow and brings the Bolsheviks to power, freeing Peter and Axelstein. When the Russian Civil War breaks out, Alexandra is arrested for being an aristocrat, and Peter is assigned by now-Commissar Axelstein to take her to Petrograd to stand trial. However, Peter instead takes her to the safety of the White Army. Their relief is short-lived; the Red Army defeats the White the next day and Alexandra is taken captive once more. Peter frees her again, and the two, now deeply in love, flee. They board a train, but arouse the suspicions of Poushkoff (John Clements), a Red official. Fortunately for them, the young Poushkoff is entranced by Alexandra's charm and beauty; he allows them to escape, then commits suicide.
The lovers board a boat traveling down the Volga River. Alexandra becomes seriously ill, forcing them to go ashore, where they become separated. Peter is about to be executed by the Whites when a battle erupts around him. He escapes in the confusion and catches the Red Cross train transporting Alexandra out of Russia.
[edit] Cast
- Marlene Dietrich as Alexandra Adraxine, née Vladinoff
- Robert Donat as A.J. Fothergill / "Peter Ouranoff"
- Irene Vanbrugh as Duchess
- Herbert Lomas as General Gregor Vladinoff
- Austin Trevor as Colonel Adraxine
- Basil Gill as Axelstein
- David Tree as Maronin
- John Clements as Poushkoff
- Frederick Culley as Stanfield
- Laurence Hanray as Colonel Forester
- Dorice Fordred as the Maid
- Franklin Kelsey as Tomsky
- Laurence Baskcomb as Commissar
- Hay Petrie as Station Master
- Miles Malleson as Drunken Red Commissar
[edit] Further reading
- Street, Sarah (2005). "Sets of the imagination: Lazare Meerson, set design and performance in Knight Without Armour (1937)". Journal of British Cinema and Television 2 (1): 18–35. Edinburgh University Press. doi:.
[edit] External links
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