That's what I found myself yelling at the screen every time leading lady Maureen O'Hara got feisty, which was pretty much every scene she was in. It seems that this Saxon lass can toss a heavy tree log onto a fire without effort, and slap strong men, leaving not only their pride bruised, but their faces as well. It's a battle of the sexes, as well as the Saxons and Normans, when Saxon Lord George Nader weds feisty lass Godiva (O'Hara) and finds that she stands up to him on every level. This is no normal middle-ages woman, as Godiva is beyond feisty, yet compassionate. She demands to be treated as an equal, not asking for more or less. This makes O'Hara always delightfully likable, while Nader can't help but be amused in this age of cod-pieced men.
While the first half is a variation of "Taming of the Shrew", the second half is a political thriller of the conflicts of the Saxons and Normans which ends with Godiva's famous ride. The film's theme goes from lighthearted to serious. Overall, the film is pure entertainment, with a great leading lady, sumptuous photography, and a lot of fun. Probably historically inaccurate, it's still a step above the campiness of Universal's Maria Montez series which Ms. O'Hara took over and turned into a classier act.
Go Diva!
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