Diane

Actually, Better Than I Thought It Would Be!
Years ago, my friend David had a book about history as told thru Hollywood movies, and that was how I first learned of the movie, "Diane". Seemed a silly movie, advertised by a dueling shot of French prince Roger Moore matching his epee with courtesan Lana Turner in her sixteenth-century Tudor style wimple. Fast forward to 2002, and put us in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where that venerable institution decides that a good movie to link to its current tapestry exhibit would be--yep--"Diane", of all things. The week before, it had been "A Man for All Seasons". Well, I just had to check this out; I mean, I've NEVER even seen it listed in a tv guide. Saw it with Edith just last night.

Not bad! Not a classic, but not bad.

For one thing, the costumes are just wonderful, the creations of Walter Plunkett of "Gone with the Wind" fame. No, they're not authentic, but this was a Lana Turner movie, you know, not a BBC documentary. So, if you like gorgeous women in velvet and pearls, this...

some of the msot beautiful music ever composed........
The most unforgettable element in this average costumer is the extraordinary score by Miklos Rozsa, which ranks among his most magnificent compositions. The central theme, a lilting melody, is presented with varying segments of the orchestra. This score reduces the rest of this adequate film to cinders, but such is often the case with this seminal film composer. A comprehensive two-disc set of the essential score with extensive liner notes is available from Film Score Monthly. For film score fans, it is frankly a must-own.

Great Drama Movie in Epic Style of the 1950's
I watched this excellent drama movie on TV, having never heard of it. As other reviewers have done an excellent job of summarizing the content, I will merely state my reaction.

I'm not a James Bond fan, but I quite liked Roger Moore's performance and character here. Lana Turner was likeable and glamorous. I was caught up in the story from the first moment, and watched it rivited, until the end. This was a period and place in history that I previously knew nothing about. It was an emotional movie with a very satisfying ending.

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