Royal Flash (film)
5.8 /10 1 Votes
2/4 Genre Adventure, Comedy, Romance Country United Kingdom | 6.7/10 Initial DVD release April 3, 2007 Duration Language English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Release date October 1975 (1975-10) Cast (Captain Harry Flashman), (Rudi Von Sternberg), (Lola Montez), (Otto von Bismarck), (De Gautet), (Sapten) Similar movies The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies , The Expendables 3 , Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides , Troy , Independence Day , Underworld: Rise of the Lycans |
Royal flash 1975 trailer
Royal Flash is a 1975 film based on George MacDonald Fraser's second Flashman novel, Royal Flash. It stars Malcolm McDowell as Flashman. Additionally, Oliver Reed appeared in the role of Otto von Bismarck, Alan Bates as Rudi von Sternberg, and Florinda Bolkan played Lola Montez. Fraser wrote the screenplay and the film was directed by Richard Lester.
Contents

Though it received good reviews for its performances and action scenes, Royal Flash only had a limited release in cinemas.

Royal flash finale
Plot summary

The film begins with Flashman making a patriotic speech to the boys of Rugby School framed by a giant Union Flag, in a scene which appears to be a parody of the opening sequence in the 1970 film Patton. There is a brief flashback to the events of the original Flashman, with the head of the Rugby School (Michael Hordern) recounting Flashman's exploits in Afghanistan.

The film then follows the plot of the book, which itself largely derives from The Prisoner of Zenda. Flashman is forced by Otto von Bismarck to impersonate a Danish prince, who is about to marry a German princess (Britt Ekland). Bismarck exacts this retribution partly in revenge for his humiliation at the hands of Flashman in London; Flashman stole Bismarck's mistress Lola Montez, then manoeuvred him into boxing against a professional boxer, John Gully (played by Henry Cooper), at a house party. Bismarck does not wish the Princess to marry a Dane, since this may tilt the balance on the Schleswig-Holstein Question and interfere with his plans for a united Germany.
Reception

The Observer said the film "leaves one breathless not so much with enchantment as with boredom". The Wall Street Journal said it was "disappointing".
Home media

Although the film was released on VHS there was no United Kingdom DVD for years, although there was a North American (Region 1) version. A UK DVD and Blu-ray was released on 20 May 2013 by Odeon Entertainment. Twilight Time released the film on a limited edition Blu-ray disc in 2013.

References
Royal Flash (film) WikipediaRoyal Flash (film) IMDbRoyal Flash (film) Roger EbertRoyal Flash (film) themoviedb.org