In many ways this seemed to be a copy of The Prisoner of Zenda’ – a similar storyline.

In 1951 Anthony Dexter made his film debut in “VALENTINO”. The resemblance to the original silent screen idol was uncanny.

Columbia Pictures thought they would build him as a swashbuckler like his predecessor.

So this is the film that they cast him in – it was an adventure story supposedly based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas but with more similarities to Anthony Hope’s The Prisoner of Zenda in that he plays a dual role – a wounded king and an adventurer who is persuaded to double for him.

Anothony.Dexter handles his role(s)well including exciting sword duels and several dance routines .The film is in Technicolor – always a selling point for me – and direction by Phil Karlson.

The supporting cast are very good – Anthony Quinn as the villain, the two female leads Jody Lawrence and Gale Robbins,and Carl Benton Reid

 The King of Mandoora (a mythical country on the Iberian peninsula near Spain,Portugal and Northern Africa and not far from France)and his look-a-like half commoner cousin Captain de Largo (Anthony Dexter)are much like the Zenda characters King Rudolf of Ruritania (a country in Western Europe bordering Germanic speaking countries)and his half English commoner cousin Rudolph Rassendyll.

Ramon the evil royal cousin (Anthony Quinn) is the equivalent of King Rudolf of Ruritania’s half-brother the ambitious Prince Michael and Prince Michael’s disloyal rogue of a friend Rupert of Hentzau. There are many similarities between the stories but that hardly matters because anyone who loves classic adventure and the works of Alexandre Dumas and Anthony Hope will be happy with this

There were dozens of these made in the late 40’s and early 50’s, all done in color and looking much more expensive than they really were. Anthony Dexter, shows a variety of traits as an irresponsible king and his lookalike cousin, brought in to impersonate him after another cousin (Anthony Quinn) attempted an assassination.

The beginning of the film shows the more heroic Dexter character working as a guard for a middle eastern king, involved in a bizarre subplot involving a jealous diplomat and his philandering wife. Colourful costumes, redesigned sets from other Columbia swashbuckling (of which there were many) and plenty action are the highlights, and Dexter and Quinn are fabulous adversaries. 

The Brigand 1952

The Brigand is an entertaining and engaging costume romp that is well filmed, and features an appealing and understated performance by that much underrated actor, Anthony Dexter, in the duo-lead roles. Able backing is provided by Anthony Quinn as the treacherous and slimy villain of the piece. So many movies of this type are throw-away and forgettable, but this one has sufficient pace, as well as a good storyline, to retain the viewers interest throughout. It’s such a fine movie that it’s difficult to understand why it’s never been released commercially, and remains to this day very much of a rarity. It’s also interesting to note that it was the follow-up feature to Valentino, for Anthony Dexter, and it’s perfectly clear that only bad luck prevented him from going on to be a top Hollywood star. Far lesser actors managed to forge long, star-studded careers for themselves, so it will always remain something of a mystery as to why Mr Dexter never reached the heights.

The Brigand 1952

The Brigand 1952 BELOW – Very Interesting that a comic such as the one below was issued. Maybe it was thought that would increase the Box Office business – certainly create interest outside of the Cinema

The Brigand 1952