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Sentimental ending scene between Heston and Boone

posted 15 years ago by jeffyoung1
7 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone else feel the sentimentality in one of the ending scenes between Chrysagon (Heston) and Bors (Boone).

The terrible, bloody, savage, and ultimately meaningless fighting is over. Chrysagon narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by the angry husband of Bronwyn's husband, Mark. But Chrysagon is wounded by Mark's sickle, most likely a painful flesh wound only. But now Chrysagon is tired...tired in body, tired in mind, tired in soul...of all the fighting throughout his life which he seems to realize has meant nothing in the end. Only the passionate love he felt for beautiful peasant girl, Bronwyn (Rosemary Forsythe) has meant anything to him.

Bors (Boone), who has been a companion, a bodyguard, and a male nanny to Chrysagon all his life, feels the pain, weariness, and despair of his wounded lord. Bors exhibits a sentimental, almost paternal affection for Chrysagon when he kisses him on the head. Actor Boone, known for playing tough guy roles all his acting career, actually displays a moment of deep-seated emotion as he briefly holds the reins of Chrysagon's horse, reflecting inwardly on some troubled thought before he hands the reins to Chrysagon.

I never read the book, but someone told me that in the book, Chrysagon does make it back to the Duke of Normandy to explain his actions back at the tower keep. But I don't know what else happens. If someone read the book, let us know.

TRIVIA: For years the tower that Universal Studios built for the movie sat on the lot and tour trams filled with tourists trundled past it. I remember, because I was a child tourist on one of those trams back in 1973. The tower looked different because Universal Studios changed the surroundings for a subsequent, unrelated movie, "The Crusades". Years later, Universal Studios tore down the entire tower and razed the site. I'm not sure why but maybe it was because Universal Studios was refurbishing its entire lot and keep in mind that structures built for movies are not meant to last and become derelict and dangerous to enter very quickly.

[–] lexyladyjax 13 years ago

It was clear that Bors was attached to the two brothers and that he favoured one over the other: Chrysagon. It's often thus, yet view Bors' reaction when Draco is killed. Bors was distressed by Draco's death, still he wanted to comfort Chrysagon.

Bors served Chrysagon well. Men who fight in battles together often form close bonds. My uncle fought in WWII and he's still in contact with the friends he made 60 years ago.

At the end it's likely Bors was thinking he'd put Chrysagon on a horse when he was too small to reach the stirrups, and then he'd lifted his Lord into the saddle for the final time. Bors knew the wound was fatal.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

[–] lexyladyjax 12 years ago

Yesterday I drove my uncle to see a friend whom he'd seen only three times since 1941. They were able to spend only 5 minutes together but they were glad to see one another.

They had been in radio school together in 1941 and kept in contact all through the years. The bonds of war are stronger than steel.

[–] chesterfieldkings 12 years ago

I just watched this again today. You could see the anguish in Bors face as he held Chrysagon. His lord, his friend was hurting and tired and the way he held him and touched his head was caring and fatherly. I think he did view Chrysagon as a son of sorts, and Draco to a somewhat lesser degree. When he put him on his horse and hesitated a second before handing him the reins he did seem to be thinking, as has already pointed out, that this could very well be the last time he would do that for him. I think too that he might have been wishing that Chrysagon had taken the offer to "go across the water" and be with Bronwyn.

[–] lexyladyjax 12 years ago

In one of his books, Charlton Heston writes he was killed by the sickle wielded by the peasant husband of Bronwyn. Richard Boone was a powerful and gifted actor. Chrysagon's death is written on Bors' face.

The original cut was 3 hours long. :-/ If only it survived somewhere. I'd give one of my diamond bracelets to see it full length and uncut. *sigh*

[–] porsche1974-1 12 years ago

Who knows. Hollywood is remaking so many films these days. There might just be talk about redoing this one. If so, it might expand on some ideas that were dropped in the first. I can imagine somebody from the Oceans 11 crowd being cast as Chrysagon. Clooney or Pitt. As to Bors, that is a tough one. Maybe, Jeff Bridges. He can pull off a beard and long hair. Plus, he can ride a horse.

'Let's eat Grandma!' or, 'Let's eat, Grandma!' Punctuation saves lives. Use it. Save a life.

[–] briarmor 11 years ago

And sure Bors will come back and protect the woman of his Sir, in case all went wrong

[–] lexyladyjax 11 years ago

All did go wrong. Bors was the only survivor and their Overlord was going to kill him for failing in their mission. You did see the film unedited, one hopes.

Lord Chrysagon would die on the journey. It was clear from Bors' face. Bors had put the little Lord on his first horse when he was a boy and taught him how to ride. (It was in the dialog, perhaps you missed it.) In assisting him to mount at the end of the film, Bors had put his master on his horse for the last time. It's subtle but it is there.

Some things you just can't ride around...