Essays Contents
Prince of Foxes
April 22, 2023
"Prince of Foxes" (1949)
video link: colorized version
"Prince of Foxes"
original black and white version
This movie was filmed in Italy...
on sight of the actual history of it.
Listed as "fiction."
Published book in the Archive:
Prince of Foxes by Samuel Shellabarger
The book is thick with history and detail.
In those days, territories were city-states.
Duke Borgia wanted to unite all Italy against
France and Spain... with Borgia as king.
Tyrone Power,
Orson Welles
Duke Cesare Borgia attempts to marry his sister off
to the heir of Ferrers, which would give him control
over a wider part of Italy. He employs a soldier, Andrea Orsini
(his sister's lover and an unscrupulous man) on this quest.
En route, Orisini learns a more honorable way of life
and turns against the Borgias and leads a revolt against them.
Some dialogue from the movie script:
At 00:37:40
Lord Verano at a welcoming banquet:
"I would like to say a few words. Captain Orsini comes to us as
Cesare (pronounced "chezarie") Borgia's ambassador.
That is good. Perhaps the Duke will learn... through his ambassador...
that if we prosper it is because we live in peace. And if we enjoy peace...
it is because we want only friendship and understanding... of our
neighbors... and of each other. I depend on you all to help Captain
Orsini to send this message to his illustrious master."
He introduces him, "Captain, the Lord Orsini."
Orsini:
"My Lord Verano... seniori... I am a professional soldier. If you should
see me climbing your walls, just know that I am studying your
defenses." (the lady blushes) "But know also, that I was not
sent here for that. My wise and illustrious master, Duke Cesare,
(pronounced "chezarei")
has already told me that your defenses are... impregnable...
(he looks in the lady's direction).
He has also told me that one citizen of the Chateau de Monte is
worth 500 mercenaries. In his wisdom, Duke Cesare has identified
your strength as... loyalty. I am here to spy on that loyalty... to
learn for him the secret of how it works. I am already learning.
Please help me to learn more."
At 00:40:30,
Verano's wife arranges a meeting with Orsini at the chapel.
She is much younger than her husband. Orsini is attracted to her.
Orsini was ordered by Borgia to murder Lord Verano...
in order to conquer the city... sending him as an ambassador.
Verano's wife warns Orsini... that her loyalty is absolute...
and if anything happens to Verano, her hate would be eternal.
Verano... appears. The wife runs away and drops her scarf.
Verano to Orsini:
"So you've found our chapel. Lovely, isn't it. I come here every night.
It makes my sleep more peaceful." (He sees the scarf and goes to pick it up.)
"Sometimes the age makes for stern cunning." (not really audible)
Orsini: "If old age brings wisdom such as yours, mi-lord, it comes too
slowly to suit me."
Verano: "You find my wife attractive, don't you."
Orsini: "Only with the deepest respect, senor."
Verano: "Words."
Orsini: "I regret that your lordship thinks ill of me."
Verano: "I think ill of no one."
Orsini: "Your lordship is tolerant."
Verano: "I am tolerant of nothing that might affect Madam Azana...
but the certainty I have of her excludes jealousies and suspicions
and such clap trap."
"But I am certain of this... if she does go, she won't sneak about it.
She would tell me first. That's my certainty and my pride.
No, I don't think ill of you. I've lived seventy years, and I know
in spite of the poets... youth is not the happiest season.
I'll not detain you longer. Incidentally, I will return this scarf."
video link: colorized version
"Prince of Foxes"
original black and white version
This movie was filmed in Italy...
on sight of the actual history of it.
Listed as "fiction."
Published book in the Archive:
Prince of Foxes by Samuel Shellabarger
The book is thick with history and detail.
In those days, territories were city-states.
Duke Borgia wanted to unite all Italy against
France and Spain... with Borgia as king.
Tyrone Power,
Orson Welles
Duke Cesare Borgia attempts to marry his sister off
to the heir of Ferrers, which would give him control
over a wider part of Italy. He employs a soldier, Andrea Orsini
(his sister's lover and an unscrupulous man) on this quest.
En route, Orisini learns a more honorable way of life
and turns against the Borgias and leads a revolt against them.
