Claude Duval (1924)

Film details

Featuring

Nigel Barrie Fay Compton Charles Ashton
Country

United Kingdom
Year

1924
Genre

Period drama
Type

Film
Category

Fiction

Synopsis

Drama about the famous highwayman. In the days of merry England the Duke of Brentleigh, returning from a mission abroad, brought with him a loyal young Frenchman named Claude Duval. The Duke was very proud of his beautiful wife, Frances, whom he thought good and true, but who in reality was a heartless coquette. Lord Lionel took advantage of one of her "affairs" to try and extort money from her, but she countered by persuading young Duval to get the compromising letters she had written, from the blackmailer. The latter, however, tried to show the Duke that Frances was carrying on an affair with Duval, but the latter saved the situation by confessing that he had entered the Duchess's bedroom to rob. A few moments later, a fatal shot was fired at the Duke and, accused by Lord Lionel, Duval escaped to the open road, was outlawed, and turned highwayman.

The death of the Duke served to effect a great change in the character of Frances, who set out to live a life worthy of the faith her husband had in her. Lionel succeeded to the title, but finding only mortgage and debt, turned his thoughts toward marrying Frances companion and niece, Lady Anne, and abducted her. Unfortunately for him, Duval was on the road, and his "stand and deliver " resulted in the famous episode of the dance on the heath and rescue of Lady Anne, whom he sent to his hut in the woods. A trecherous peasant, however guided Lionel and a company of soldiers to Duval's hiding place, and a fierce fight between hero and villain developed into the surprising denouement which brings the film to its climax.