It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I cannot recall being more enraptured with such a divine script and an actor, Jose Ferrer. Despite the poor sound quality, dark sets, and overall low budget production, I was overwhelmed with many unexpected emotions. This actor did not miss even half a beat for every line delivered with pitch perfect delivery and countenance. The obvious protuberance withstanding, nothing felt overtly theatrical but appeared so, definitely a mark of genius. Mr. Ferrer developed his character over the span of hundreds of performances but the film version still was fresh and nuanced.This film is old, B&W with no other well known actors but delivers action, sorrow, joy, laughter and compassion. Perhaps it was just the right moment to explore the depths of unrequited love, impossible to even speak of, yet able to achieve. What a longing this created and expressed through tears unexpected. Where has this all come from? Dumas, Shakespeare, Fitzgerald? Most likely strong influences and a grand tally that redefined cinema.If you have ever felt that depth of feeling for another who has absolutely no clue, or appreciate the power of the word over the sword, this film is definitely for you. Supreme recommend for lovers, dreamers and actors wanting to aspire to stardom. WOW!.

Jose Ferrer takes on the role of one of the saddest of characters. He is Cyrano, the man with the poetry and the huge nose. He, of course, is in love with Roxanne but his physical appearance makes it impossible to tell her. Instead, a boorish soldier gets Cyrano to send letters of love to Roxanne. He is a great poet and, of course, she is persuaded. Ferrer takes on the tenderness of the role, dying every day from his inability to have what he so greatly desires. In every other respect he is a hero. He is a great swordsman and accomplished soldier. One only look at the closeups as we hear the words he writes for the silly man, knowing that a life with Roxanne, for this man, would be such a waste. See this film. It is superb.

Being a big fan of the Gerard Depardieu version, I was all for seeing this film from 1950 with Jose Ferrer. And I found it excellent. I have seen more beautiful-looking films elsewhere, but the film is well shot and the costumes and sets do have a certain charm to them. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score is suitably rousing, the sword play is clever and never clumsy and the script is witty and poetic, while the story never fails to thrill or move me in the way it should do. It is well directed by Michael Gordon also. Of the acting, faring weakest was Mala Powers, she is beautiful but not much is done for me to make her beyond that. William Prince is more than adequate and Ralph Clanton sneers effectively as De Guiche. But the film, same goes with the story itself too, really belongs to Jose Ferrer. As much as I loved his performance in Moulin Rouge, it is in Cyrano De Bergerac where he is at his finest, really resonating with me by how dignified and moving he was. Overall, excellent and worth seeing for especially Ferrer. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Almost never shown these days, "Cyrano de Bergerac", one of the best films of 1950, turned up the other night unexpectedly on a cable channel. It was a pleasure to see it again after so many years since we first saw it. Michael Gordon directed the screen version that became a favorite of people who were delighted to make concessions to a man that was far from being endowed with any physical attributes.The enjoyment of the picture is due to the amazing tour de force by that wonderful actor, Jose Ferrer, a man whose friendship we cherished because he enriched our life with his honesty, frankness and charisma. Mr. Ferrer's contribution to the stage and screen can be best sampled as we watch him become Cyrano, a man in love with his cousin Roxanne, whose great fear is the possible rejection of the beautiful young woman in favor of the handsome, and younger, Christian.This beloved theater play by Edmond Rostand had been translated by Brian Hooker, in what became the most familiar way American audiences met the illustrious French author. The screen play by Carl Foreman clarifies the text in ways that the movie going public of that era could relate to this man whose wit and charm outweighed his appearance, which was dominated by a big nose that rendered him an unattractive man. The poetry of the play is preserved even though it is not done in verse like the original manuscript. Dimitri Tiomkin's score lent itself to the action.Mala Powers was a disappointment though. Yes, she was a beauty, but her Roxanne doesn't quite come across; she is at a disadvantage playing opposite an icon of the theater like Mr. Ferrer, who certainly had more experience. William Prince does a fair job as Christian. Morris Carnovsky, another great stage actor, appears as Le Bret and Ralph Clanton makes his contribution with his take of Guiche."Cyrano de Bergerac" is recommended to movie fans of all ages to watch the magnificent Jose Ferrer at his best.