Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake (1942)

SON OF FURY, The Story of Benjamin Blake (20th Century-Fox, 1942), directed by John Cromwell, based on the novel "Benjamin Blake" by Edison Marshall, stars Tyrone Power in one of his finer adventure movie roles of his career. A costume drama set in 18th Century England, the story covers the account of its central character, Benjamin Blake, from boyhood to dashing young hero attempting to search for his birthright. Not as well known these days as Power's celebrated work of THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940) and/or BLOOD AND SAND (1941), at one point in broadcast TV history, SON OF FURY was one of Power's most revived films, especially during the 1970s. In later years, however, it's become one of his most underrated.Told in chapter form with handwritten analysis in place of traditional superimposed titles, the story introduces Benjamin Blake's narration in diary text with, "I, Benjamin Blake dedicate to free men here and in other lands this account of unusual happening in my life as bonded servant in the disturbed times of his Majesty George III." Prologue: Bristol, England. Sir Arthur Blake (George Sanders) learns the whereabouts of his nephew, Benjamin (billed as Master Roddy McDowall), the illegitimate son born in Bombay, India, to his brother, Sir Godfrey Blake and Bessie Kidder, both deceased. Raised by his grandfather, Amos Kidder (Harry Davenport), a gunsmith, Sir Arthur claims Benjamin, becoming his legal guardian. Once at his estate, Benjamin falls victim to his uncles sadistic ways, earning his keep as a stable boy. The only kindness he gets during his upbringing comes from Arthur's wife, Helen (Kay Johnson), and servant, Purdy (Halliwell Hobbes). Story: "10 years of servitude of bowing and scraping and holding horses - where I, who could not call myself by my father's name, grows to manhood." Benjamin (Tyrone Power), the young man, continues his humiliation as a bonded servant. He finds love with Arthur's attractive daughter, Isabel (Frances Farmer). After a sadistic beating from his uncle, he escapes. With the help of Bristol Isabel (Elsa Lanchester), a barmaid, Benjamin is kept from arrest. He later stows away on an India bound ship where he falls victim to an abusive captain (Arthur Hohl). Teaming up with Caleb Green (John Carradine), a former convict in debtor's prison, the two men sneak away during the night , swimming over towards a South Sea isle. During their stay, Benjamin befriends the natives, becoming their pearl diver, attracting the alluring attention of a native girl he calls Eve (Gene Tierney). Now a man of wealth, thanks to the pearls, Benjamin takes the next ship bound for England. His attempt to clear his name and claim the title stolen by his uncle is met with unexpected results.One of the biggest debits for SON OF FURY is having not been produced in Technicolor to take full advantage of stylish costumes for its England portion, the blue ski, waters and South Sea island backdrop during its second half. Even in black and white, it's still an exceptional film. Aside from well-crafted story by Philip Dunne, and memorable underscoring conducted by Alfred Newman, there's also an interesting assortment of female co-stars, all taking small but important parts during its course of 98 minutes. The one with the least amount of time and most poignant of all comes from Elsa Lanchester, coming off best as the kindly barmaid who "was born in jail." Frances Farmer, in her last screen performance before personal tragedy took its toll, is exceptionally good as Power's initial love interest, though it seems rather odd for his Benjamin Blake to have a romantic interludes with his own cousin! The second-billed Gene Tierney, coming 50 minutes into the story and having only 20 minutes of it, comes as a surprise for many familiar with her work, playing a sarong native girl with long hair and sunflower. Quite a youthful beauty, Tierney makes the most of her limitations here. The scene where she's taught English from Benjamin is almost reminiscent to a Tarzan movie, only in reverse.Of the supporting male players, the bearded Carradine in striped shirt could very well be a character right out of "Treasure Island," but there's no question about the scene stealing George Sanders. His role is so sinister that he practically takes away the immortal tag-line from actor/director, Erich Von Stroheim, as "the man you love to hate." His Sir Arthur is shown effectively as an avid fighter in fist cuffs, and one who fights hard and dirty with no remorse for his opponent. His two or three battles with young Power are definite highlights. Another member of the cast worth mentioning is Dudley Digges as Bartholomew Platt, a prominent lawyer who takes part of the well-staged courtroom sequence.Distributed to home video in the 1990s, and later on DVD, SON OF FURY did have its share of frequent cable TV revivals on American Movie Classics prior to 2000, Fox Movie Channel, and finally Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: October 4, 2012). Seen today, with its dark Charles Dickens theme, and similarities from "Count of Monte Cristo" SON OF FURY remains one of those escapist adventure movies made popular in the 1940s that still holds up decades after its release. "So ends the story of Benjamin Blake." (***)

I found this movie very entertaining! Plus this cast was very beautiful to watch, which was what kept me interested! And Gene Tierney's beauty, dressed in that Hawaiian bikini, is just way off the charts stunning in this movie! Wish I had a time machine! The acting is what helped keep this movie watchable. Francis Farmer really sells her part well! She's another beauty to behold! I didn't know her sad life story until reading her bio here in IMDb, what a tragedy. And George Sanders does a great job as well, and in 1947, to once again perform with Gene Tierney in one of my favorite movie classics "The Ghost And Mrs. Muir".I'll have to say this movie looked like it was quickly made to get to the theaters! It was easy to see the many short cuts made and fake set scenes with the cast in front of a movie screen! Still enjoyed it though, and would watch it again just to see Gene Tierney in that Hawaiian bikini bathing suit over and over again!

Yes the film Son of Fury --story of Benjamin Drake has always been one of my favourite films since I first saw it at age 14 in 1942I always liked adventure films where our hero starts off as a young lad, grows up under adverse conditions, has romances,runs away from a tyrannical uncle, Finds romance & wealth on a tropical Island paradise, goes home, vanquishes the uncle & returns to the tropic island & his lady love.That is basically the story line of this movie, John Cromwell directed this from the screenplay by Philip Dunne (both have extensive famous credits to there names.) This was adapted form the novel Benjamin Blake by famous(at that time) novelist Edison Marshall..Darryl F Zanuck produced this film himself (he ran & owned the studio 20 th. Century Fox). He cast this with some of the finest talent available. The STAR Tyrone Power (he was bigger than Brad Pitt,Johnny Depp & George Clooney at that time. Roddy McDowell (billed as Master Roddy McDowell) played him as a 12 year old.The beautiful Gene Tierney (one film away from her STARRING roles) was the island girl he falls in love with. George Sanders was the tyrannical Uncle & he was mean & cruel,. The ill-fated Frances Farmer (in her last major role) is the uncles spoiled daughter.John Carradine (he was making films for about 8 yrs already) plays sailor who befriends our hero. There are many others in this film who you may recognize, they all are first rate.The movie is in Black & white,although when first released there were some scenes in techicolour.This is a first rate film for the entire family.ratings ***1/2 9out of 4) 92 points (out of 100)IMDB 9 (out of 100NOTE; when i first saw this I am sure it got a higher rating, this one is more accurate

The dark side of GEORGE SANDERS is sure to bring out the cad in him whenever he plays a movie villain. And he's at his darkest in the early scenes of SON OF FURY, where poor RODDY McDOWALL must do work as a stable boy for his cruel and mean spirited uncle.Later, when McDowall grows up to be TYRONE POWER (now that does strain credibility a bit), he finds romance on a desert isle with GENE TIERNEY and he seems to have found paradise. But he can't forget that he must seek vengeance on his brutal uncle and packs up and leaves Tierney, clad in a becoming sarong and looking her most exotic. That alone stretches credibility again, but the plot is the thing.We follow Power back to London again to be reunited with his lady love (a beautiful FRANCES FARMER) and resolve his problematic relationship with sneering Sanders.It's the kind of costume epic made for someone like TYRONE POWER, the sort of tale that played on the fantasies of young men who wanted to do the sort of adventurous wandering that he does, especially if someone like Gene Tierney was still waiting for his return.It's absorbing all the way, full of dark menace whenever he has to confront GEORGE SANDERS, in one of his best jobs as a sarcastic villain. And, of course, for TYRONE POWER fans, it's one of his best roles as a romantic hero.