MovieChat Forums > The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) Discussion > Does he hold the rock in this film ?

Does he hold the rock in this film ?

posted 18 years ago by jw-blacklock
6 replies | jump to latest

Can someone please settle this discussion, is this the film in which Tony Curtis has to hold a rock up for hours ?, or was it from Taras Bulba ?

Cheers

[–] pedicab_driver 18 years ago

I think it was this film. In Taras Bulba I think he just holds out his arm with the threat of having his hand chopped off. BTW in The Vikings he also held out his hand but a different outcome that time!

I wish this film was on dvd. It was one of my faves as a kid.

[–] kanamaster 18 years ago

Hello!
Only wanted to confirm you that you are right. In this film Tony Curtis has to hold a rock "for hours" as a punishment.
Greetings.

[–] thetheeyecreature 17 years ago

Just wanted to add -- holding a rock like that was really used as an exercise to build endurance. Of course, it can also be a punishment (like running up and down the bleachers in gym).

The movie was based on the excellent Howard Pyle novel "Men of Iron", and has some surprisingly accurate touches (though the plotline is pure fiction).

"The truth 24 times a second."

[–] carpet_seller 16 years ago

He is told by Blunt to hold a rock at arms length, no mention is made of any consequences for dropping it. Then Blunt walks away and he holds it for a few seconds before the camera cuts away to the same day's evening, Curtis is having his arm/shoulder massaged by his buddy.

In other words, yes he holds a rock but we don't get to see him straining to hold it and there is apparently no real consequences if he was to drop his arm whilst holding it.

(I just watched it yesterday 2.55:1 )

[–] loza-1 12 years ago

Don't know about Taras Bulba, but Tony Curtis was certainly ordered to hold a rock in Black Shield of Falworth as part of his man-at-arms training.

[–] ajmal-m 9 years ago

ive just seen this and can confirm that he does indeed hold the rock for hours. they only show 10 seconds but its implied that he held the rock for hours.