The Rover (1967)

The Rover Poster
Original Title: L'avventuriero

A former counterrevolutionary pirate befriends a mentally ill young woman and this in turn leads to tragedy when she falls in love with a French naval officer.

Introduction
"The Rover" or "L'Avventuriero" as originally entitled in Italian, is a British-Italian war drama movie directed by Terence Young and released in 1967. It stars prominent stars Anthony Quinn and Rita Hayworth. Set in 1743, the story revolves around the life of an Irish bettor and social castaway, Peyrol (Anthony Quinn), who struggles with his identity, romance, and allegiance.

Plot Summary
Peyrol, a pirate and castaway, saves a girl, Arlette (Rosanna Schiaffino), from a rowdy crowd in Toulon. She ends up being the niece of the Madame de Beauvais (Rita Hayworth), a woman of high standing however financially destroyed. Peyrol tries to assist Arlette find her enthusiast, an innovative combating for the Republic. Nevertheless, at the same time, he himself falls for Arlette.

While tending to pay her financial obligations and admitting his feelings, Peyrol likewise needs to deal with the British navy who seeks his help. Despite his controversial track record, he is recognized as a skilled seaman and an expert on the African coast. Admiral Crawford (Richard Johnson) approaches him for assistance in mapping the coast of Africa, in specific, the Tunisian fort of Muslim rebels which they intend on attacking.

Character Development
Peyrol's character is portrayed as negative and ruthless, typically exposing a ruthless and violent side. Regardless of this, he shows a deep sense of individual code and commitment. His love for Arlette soften him and bring about a change, presenting a romantic angle to his otherwise aggressive character.

Arlette, on the other hand, starts as an ignorant and fearful young woman however transforms into a bold and strong character who waits Peyrol and nurtures her sensations for him. The character of Madame de Beauvais is shown as a stern and dour female lowered to severe situations.

Vital Reception
"The Rover" got combined reviews from critics, with some applauding Quinn's efficiency and others slamming the film's pacing and melodramatic plotting. It garnered attention for its exotic locations and costuming, a sign of its duration setting. However, it was mostly ignored during its initial release and only gained a broader audience with time due to its historic style, the director's signature design, and the star-studded cast.

Conclusion
Overall, "The Rover" is a film that looks into themes of identity, morality, and love, set versus a turbulent and attractive backdrop of war and transformation. While not striking gold at the time of its release, the movie has actually gradually garnered greater appreciation in recent years, specifically among fans of traditional cinema. Quinn's improvement from a ruthless pirate to a benevolent fan, in addition to the film's unique setting and impressive visuals, makes it a remarkable watch.

Top Cast

  • Anthony Quinn (small)
    Anthony Quinn
    Peyrol
  • Rosanna Schiaffino (small)
    Rosanna Schiaffino
    Arlette
  • Rita Hayworth (small)
    Rita Hayworth
    Caterina
  • Richard Johnson (small)
    Richard Johnson
    Real
  • Anthony Dawson (small)
    Anthony Dawson
    Captain Vincent
  • Ivo Garrani (small)
    Ivo Garrani
    Scevola
  • Mino Doro (small)
    Mino Doro
    Dussard
  • Luciano Rossi (small)
    Luciano Rossi
    Michel
  • Giulio Marchetti (small)
    Giulio Marchetti
    vecchio marinaio francese
  • Gianni Di Benedetto
    tenente Bolt
  • Franco Fantasia (small)
    Franco Fantasia
    ammiraglio francese