Originally released by MGM on October 1, 1954, Beau Brummell is a lavish adaptation of Clyde Finch‘s play about the life of the titular English dandy. Stewart Granger stars as Brummell, a style-setting and sardonic soldier of Regency England, whose hard-won position as confidante and friend to the Prince of Wales (Peter Ustinov) would founder over Brummell’s pursuit of a beautiful noblewoman (Elizabeth Taylor) and the prince’s designs to grasp power from his mentally failing father, George III (Robert Morley).
Here’s the film’s original theatrical trailer:
Thanks to the film’s great cast — which also included Rosemary Harris, Noel Willman, and James Donald — along with sumptuous location shooting in England, and an engaging storyline, the film has grown into a beloved favorite. What is surprising is how ahead of its time the picture was. It originally lost money for MGM, and Granger was reportedly unhappy with the film. Nowadays though it is looked at as a milestone moment in 1950s cinema, one that you can experience for yourself when the film is released by the Warner Archive Collection and available exclusively from Movies Unlimited on March 10th!
Order your copy of Beau Brummell here, for a royal treat of a motion picture!
