The Fighting O'Flynn
| The Fighting O'Flynn | |
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U.S. window card poster
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| Directed by | Arthur Pierson |
| Written by |
Justin Huntly McCarthy (Novel) Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Robert Thoeren |
| Based on |
The Fighting O'Flynn by Justin Huntly McCarthy |
| Starring |
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Helena Carter Richard Greene |
| Cinematography | Arthur Edeson |
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Production
company |
Fairbanks Company
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| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Fighting O'Flynn is a 1949 American film directed by Arthur Pierson. The film's screenplay by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is based on the novel of the same name by Justin Huntly McCarthy. Fairbanks stars, along with Helena Carter.
Nearing the end of the 18th century, Napoleon's vast army is sailing towards the Irish coast. The national poet and freedom fighter who goes by the name of "The O'Flynn" is traveling back to the castle where he was born, when he encounters a coach being robbed by rogues. The leader of the outlaws is a man named Hendrigg. The robbery fails thanks to O'Flynn's efforts. He offers the passenger, Lady Benedetta, to come with him and take refuge in his castle.
Lady Benedetta eventually agrees to take up the invitation from the elegant O'Flynn, who rode ahead to prepare the castle. When O'Flynn arrives to the castle there is a man, Dooley, waiting to arrest him for unpaid debts. O'Flynn gets off by telling the man of a treasure buried inside the castle.
O'Flynn is unaware that Lady Benedetta is really the daughter of the Viceroy of Ireland. She is in turn unaware that agents have been sent out by Napoleon to spy on her, disguised as travelers. They have been informed that Lady Benedetta has Napoleon's plans to invade Britain and is to deliver them to her father. Both Lady Benedetta and the agents arrive to the castle in the night.
Dooley comes in handy when he fends off the agents and saves both Lady Benedetta and the unsuspecting O'Flynn. Napoleon's men attack them on their way to Dublin, but again they can escape. They manage to give the plans to Lady Benedettas father. Because of his leadership aptitude, O'Flynn is made a captain in the Irish Army.
O'Flynn is attracted to Lady Benedetta, and when he finds out that her fiancé, Lord Sedgemouth is in favor of Napoleon, he challenges the lord to a duel. Being a swordsman, he wins the duel quite easily, and decides to win Lady Benedetta's heart.
The lord counters by letting Lady Benedetta believe that O'Flynn is involved with a courtesan named Fancy Free, which leads the lady to denounce him.
In battle, O'Flynn disguises himself as a deserter to get behind enemy lines. He is brought in front of Napoleon's general Van Dronk and they spend the night drinking together. When the general is passed out O'Flynn puts on his uniform and troes to steal the new plans for invading Britain.
Unfortunately one of the generals lieutenants recognize him as an impostor and he is swiftly courtmarshalled and sent to his execution. Luck is on his side when the firing squad misses every bullet and he can escape unharmed. He hides in Lord Sedgemouth's tent, where the courtesan Fancy Free is also present. O'Flynn persuades Fancy to help him get the invading plans, but before they can intercept it, Lord Sedgemouth walks in on them and tries to shoot O'Flynn, who again manages to escape.
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