Cyrano de Bergerac

1950

Cyrano de Bergerac

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

83%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 12

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,141

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Movie Info

Recreating his stage role, Jose Ferrer stars as Edmond Rostand's Cyrano, a 17th-century French cavalier, poet and swordsman whose prominent proboscis is the subject of many a duel. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne (Mala Powers), but assumes that she'd never love him back due to his cathedral of a nose. Roxanne is also loved by the handsome Christian (William Prince), who unfortunately can't put two consecutive words together when it comes to pitching woo. Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxanne by feeding him the right words for his midnight courtships and love letters; in this way, Cyrano can vicariously express his own ardor for the fair lady. Years later, Cyrano's deception is revealed, and he dies happily in the arms of his beloved Roxanne, who realizes that she has really loved Cyrano all along--by way of Christian. Cyrano de Bergerac wasn't seen by many paying moviegoers upon its original showing, but its relative box-office failure resulted in an early release to television, where it has remained a perennial attraction for the past forty years.

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Cast

José Ferrer
as Cyrano de Bergerac
Mala Powers
as Roxane
William Prince
as Christian de Neuvillette
Ralph Clanton
as Antoine Comte de Guiche
Morris Carnovsky
as Le Bret
Lloyd Corrigan
as Ragueneau
Virginia Farmer
as Duenna
Edgar Barrier
as Cardinal
Elena Verdugo
as Orange Girl
Al Cavens
as Valvert
Arthur Blake
as Montfleury
Don Beddoe
as The Meddler
Percy Helton
as Bellerose
Virginia Christine
as Sister Marthe
Gil Warren
as Doctor
Philip Van Zandt
as Man with Gazette
Eric Sinclair
as Guardsman
Richard Avonde
as Marquis
Paul Dubov
as Cadet
John Crawford
as Cadet
Jerry Paris
as Cadet
Robin Hughes
as Cadet
Albert Cravens
as Viscount Valvert
Francis Pierlot
as Capuchin Monk
John Harmon
as Lackey (Assassin)
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Critic Reviews for Cyrano de Bergerac

All Critics (12) | Top Critics (3)

  • Audiences, traditionally willing to meet this impossibly romantic classic half way, may have to go a bit further this time.

    Nov 7, 2007 | Full Review…
    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • Withal, there is beauty and magic in the things that Cyrano says. He is still a magnificent character. Thank goodness, he is on the screen.

    Mar 25, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Bosley Crowther

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • At least some of the lines in the Rostand play are good.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Stanley Kramer's production, directed by Michael Gordon, is well acted by Jose Ferrer, who won the Best Actor Oscar.

    Jul 18, 2009 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Emanuel Levy

    EmanuelLevy.Com

  • Your opinion of Ferrer's work will depend upon your taste in acting. This is technique work, like Olivier's. The performance feels outward bound, theatrical, expert in that manner.

    Nov 7, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
    TV Guide

  • Jose Ferrer's towering performance overcomes a threadbare budget and indifferent ensemble support.

    Jun 22, 2007 | Rating: 4/5

    Phil Hall

    Film Threat
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Audience Reviews for Cyrano de Bergerac

  • Aug 08, 2018
    While this limited production creatively hides many associated flaws due to its lack of funding it cannot disguise, ironically, the big mouth of the unsympathetic center whose long winded rambles have passed the style of the day. Cyrano's poetry is undeniable, but I secretly rooted for someone, anyone, to shut his babblings. For me the failure was to somehow get me to care about the braggart, and that didn't happen. The technique, admirable, but when Cyrano cried I thought "good".
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Jul 19, 2013
    Jose Ferrer's version of Cyrano misses the mark. A fact that becomes all the more obvious when you compare it to the Depardieu version of the 80s. Cyrano is arrogance with no heart.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 25, 2012
    A poetic aristocrat with a large nose helps a pretty boy dolt win the heart of the woman they both love. The Rostand play of the same name is one of my favorites, and the conundrum of putting one's personal feelings aside for the good of others is a theme that resonates with me. While Jose Ferrer exquisitely captures Cyrano's eloquence and defensive arrogance, the deep-seated pain caused by the story's plot and his own insecurities are almost inscrutable and unexplored by the film. Overall, the source material is so good that it's almost impossible to screw this story up, but I think a more emotionally grounded performance that eclipses Cyrano's performative qualities would've made for a stronger interpretation.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Jun 24, 2007
    I just really loved this film. It's not perfect, but It so much fun to watch. There's sword-fighting and poetry. It was just so cool!
    Marion R Super Reviewer
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