Quentin Durward (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Quentin Durward was a French-German swashbuckler
TV series. It was produced in 1970, directed by Gilles Grangier and broadcast in 1971. The series starred the German actor Amadeus August
as the protagonist
and the French actress Marie-France Boyer
as Isabelle de Croye. The series was based on Sir Walter Scott
's in 1823 published novel Quentin Durward
, which concerns a Scottish
mercenary
in the service of the French King Louis XI
(1423-1483). Like the The Three Musketeers
it is about a brave young parvenu who comes to the court of the contemporary French monarch in order to have a career. The TV series kept close to the classic novel and was often shot at historic French locations. That the series has in common with Bernard Borderie
's film adaption of The Three Musketeers (1961 film)
. The French version consisted of 7 instalments of 52 minutes each, while the German version, which was dubbed, had 13 episodes of about 25 minutes apiece. Both versions have been made available on DVD.
in Scotland at the day of an ordination to the priesthood: Quentin Durward, a dashing young man of noble background, is about to be consecrated. The monks beseech him to devote his life to god in order to save his life. He is reminded that he would have been dead already if it hadn't been for the monks and their solemn promise to make him one of them. By listening to the monks while they are berating young Quentin the audience learns that Quentin's clan
has been wiped out as the result of a feud
. The hostile clan who once killed Quentin's kin is determinded to put an end to the bloodline one way or the other. Either he takes the oath to live in celibacy or he won't be spared any longer after all. While they raid the monastery he manages to escape his pursuers and to reach the British Channel. His heading for France because his only living relative, his uncle Lludovic Cunningham (played by Noël Roquevert
), serves as a member of the Scottish Guard. At the same time Isabelle de Croye, who is also an orphan, leaves secretly the Kingdom of Burgundy
in order to elude an arranged marriage
and find shelter in France too. They run into each other, fall in love and after many adventures they marry in the Abbey Notre Dame of Morienval
.
Swashbuckler
Swashbuckler or swasher is a term that emerged in the 16th century and has been used for rough, noisy and boastful swordsmen ever since. A possible explanation for this term is that it derives from a fighting style using a side-sword with a buckler in the off-hand, which was applied with much...
TV series. It was produced in 1970, directed by Gilles Grangier and broadcast in 1971. The series starred the German actor Amadeus August
Amadeus August
Amadeus August was a German actor and singer who spoke French and English.- Career :Amadeus August became famous throughout Europe as protagonist of the successful European TV series Quentin Durward which was broadcast for the first time in 1971 and had later on some re-runs...
as the protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
and the French actress Marie-France Boyer
Marie-France Boyer
Marie-France Boyer is a French actress, singer and the author of many internationally published non-fiction books on France...
as Isabelle de Croye. The series was based on Sir Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
's in 1823 published novel Quentin Durward
Quentin Durward
Quentin Durward is a historical novel by Walter Scott, first published in 1823. The story concerns a Scottish archer in the service of the French King Louis XI ....
, which concerns a Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
in the service of the French King Louis XI
Louis XI of France
Louis XI , called the Prudent , was the King of France from 1461 to 1483. He was the son of Charles VII of France and Mary of Anjou, a member of the House of Valois....
(1423-1483). Like the The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard...
it is about a brave young parvenu who comes to the court of the contemporary French monarch in order to have a career. The TV series kept close to the classic novel and was often shot at historic French locations. That the series has in common with Bernard Borderie
Bernard Borderie
Bernard Borderie , son of Raymond Borderie, one of the producers of Les Enfants du Paradis , was a French film director and screenwriter.-Selected filmography:...
's film adaption of The Three Musketeers (1961 film)
The Three Musketeers (1961 film)
The Three Musketeers is a 1961 film adaption of the novel by Alexandre Dumas, père which consists of two parts. The script keeps close to the classic French novel...
. The French version consisted of 7 instalments of 52 minutes each, while the German version, which was dubbed, had 13 episodes of about 25 minutes apiece. Both versions have been made available on DVD.
Storyline
In a monasteryMonastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in Scotland at the day of an ordination to the priesthood: Quentin Durward, a dashing young man of noble background, is about to be consecrated. The monks beseech him to devote his life to god in order to save his life. He is reminded that he would have been dead already if it hadn't been for the monks and their solemn promise to make him one of them. By listening to the monks while they are berating young Quentin the audience learns that Quentin's clan
Clan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
has been wiped out as the result of a feud
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
. The hostile clan who once killed Quentin's kin is determinded to put an end to the bloodline one way or the other. Either he takes the oath to live in celibacy or he won't be spared any longer after all. While they raid the monastery he manages to escape his pursuers and to reach the British Channel. His heading for France because his only living relative, his uncle Lludovic Cunningham (played by Noël Roquevert
Noël Roquevert
Noël Roquevert was a French film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1932 and 1972.He was born in Doué-la-Fontaine, France and died in Douarnenez, France.-Selected filmography:* Le Corbeau...
), serves as a member of the Scottish Guard. At the same time Isabelle de Croye, who is also an orphan, leaves secretly the Kingdom of Burgundy
Kingdom of Burgundy
Burgundy is a historic region in Western Europe that has existed as a political entity in a number of forms with very different boundaries. Two of these entities - the first around the 6th century, the second around the 11th century - have been called the Kingdom of Burgundy; a third was very...
in order to elude an arranged marriage
Arranged marriage
An arranged marriage is a practice in which someone other than the couple getting married makes the selection of the persons to be wed, meanwhile curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. Such marriages had deep roots in royal and aristocratic families around the world...
and find shelter in France too. They run into each other, fall in love and after many adventures they marry in the Abbey Notre Dame of Morienval
Morienval
Morienval is a village in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise....
.
Links
- Quentin Durward, fernsehserien.de (German)
- Quentin Durward, AnnuSéries (French)