Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) User Reviews

Go, Diva! Go, Diva! Go, Diva!

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 17 November 2011]

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!

'The Queen of Technicolor' discreetly covered!

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 5/10 · 6 November 1999]

The sole raison d'être for this forgettable film is to exploit the legend of Lady Godiva, who in medieval times supposedly expressed her social protests by riding naked through the city on horseback... Not surprisingly, the movie did less than deliver the titillating ride that many in the audience may have expected...

A thin story line revolving around a battle between the Saxons and the Normans is developed, with Clint Eastwood taking a drop in screen credits from this low-budget adventure — a tedious embroidered 'hotchpotch' spectacle of Norman intrigue in Eleventh Century England, as the foreigners try to share and conquer the Saxon earl..

Maureen O'Hara plays the gentlewoman famous for her legendary ride while nude through Coventry... Is it to prove the loyalty of the Saxons? Godiva is the wife of Leofric (George Nader) earl of Mercia, who brings under control the Saxon shrew...

The film is a comic strip fictitious account...

Lady Godiva's ride

[ulicknormanowen · 6/10 · 17 January 2021]

The screenplay is often confused and muddled ,and one sometimes find it hard to tell the traitors from the good guys ,but it does not matter.

"I wanted a wife ,not a political advisor" the macho husband (George Nader)moans .But this wife is a feminist before the time and she 's as good at political intrigues as she is as the so called ill king's doctor:blood-letting weakens the monarch ,all he needs is good food and fresh air.In internal affairs ,she shows more flair than her hubby.

Maureen O'Hara 's flaming red hair is shown to good advantage in her naked ride ,and she displays plenty of go , not really supported by the rest of the cast .She had always been a female musketeer in a curious adaptation of Alexandre Dumas "at sword's point" ;feminist she said.

All sorts of intrigue AND a woman out of time in 11th century England....and it's STILL pretty dull!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 1 August 2020]

I am sure a lot of folks watch "Lady Godiva of Coventry" just to see how much skin they'll see in the movie. But this was made in 1955...so this is NOT a good reason to see the film. Is there another compelling reason to see this picture? Not really.

The story of Lady Godiva and her famous nude ride through town is a myth, and they chose to place the story in the mid-11th century, during the period when English king Edward the Confessor reigned. This was just before the Norman Invasion and the country is ruled by Saxons...but soon will be ruled by the western French invaders following the Battle of Hastings. All sorts of intrigue involving Normans and Saxons fill the story...most of which I honestly didn't care about one way or the other. After all, the serfs would still be serfs and life would generally suck either way.

One of the Saxon lords who is afraid of a Norman invasion is Lord Leofric (George Nader...who is practically unrecognizable under a blond wig). He is a grouchy sort (as are MOST of the royals in this movie) and is so busy hating and feuding with his neighboring Saxon lords. So, in essence, Leofric just seems mad all the time. He drops the grouchy goth persona long enough to marry a lovely local Saxon girl, Godiva (Maureen O'Hara) but is soon back to his Mr. Cranky personality. She constantly is at odds with her new husband and she is one spunky lady...married to a super-grouch. So how does all this result in Godiva taking her famous nekkid ride? See the film and find out...though, frankly, there isn't any payoff and the road there is bumpy and dull!

I am not a huge fan of costumers. But making one about this period or the period immediately after COULD have been exciting. After all, I love "Ivanhoe" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (both set in 12th century England). But "Lady Godiva of Coventry" is too full of angry, grouchy people and not much payoff otherwise. Nice music, nice color...but not much else. I particularly felt bad for Nader who looks ridiculous AND was given a script that made him look like a real putz. Easy to skip, hard to love....but if you actually DO see the film, notice what happened to Peeping Tom near the end! The only interesting thing I noticed in the film!

I kinda do like

[r96sk · 7/10 · 6 January 2022]

It feels rushed, but I kinda do like 'Lady Godiva of Coventry'.

The film, in my opinion, is at its best with Maureen O'Hara and George Nader alongside the trio of would-be prisoners, spearheaded by Victor McLaglen. The stuff with that quintet was really enjoyable to me; the main story isn't even to do with them.

The plot of this 1955 involves the characters of O'Hara and Nader, but with Leslie Bradley & Co. Those parts of the film aren't the strongest and don't really leave a sizeable imprint. I would've preferred a production with those other five more, to be honest. It's all still watchable though. There's a couple of neat shots scattered in there, also.

I managed to spot Clint Eastwood in his uncredited minor role. Much bigger things to come for that man, I reckon...

Adventure and stirring movie set in eleventh century England during confrontration between Anglo-Saxons and Normands

[ma-cortes · 5/10 · 29 September 2021]

An 11th-century , King Edward the Confessor (Arthur Franz) wants Saxon Lord Leofric (George Nader) to marry a despised Norman woman, and has him jailed when he refuses. In prison , he meets Godiva (Maureen O'Hara) , the Sheriff's sister, and soon they fall in love and get married . The times are tumultuous and Godiva proves to be a militant wife . Unrest between the Anglo-Saxon populace and the increasingly influential Norman French lead to her famous ride.

Typical Universal adventure movie with all the usual ingredients , including glowing colour and distinctive photography in Cinemascope . Set in England , including nasty rulers , turbulent deeds , sword-play , fights , intriguing events , and many other things . Maureen O'Hara gives a passable acting as the married heroine who's soon involved in the action and plots at the royal court . O'Hara managed to spring from this ridiculous camp Oriental Adventure outing to stardom . Maureen played brave females in several Adventure/Pirate movies during the 40s and 50s in Universal Pictures , similar to Yvonne DeCarlo . In fact , the latter had recently been ill and lost a lot of weight, so much that the producers decided to replace her with Maureen O'Hara . Maureen interpreted various Muslim girls in Simbad the Sailor , Flame of Araby and Bagdad . She also performed the daughter of a powerful lord in The Black Swain , a valiant aristocrat in The Spanish Main , a feared pirate woman called Spitfire in Against All Flags and a French countess in Trípoli . Later on , in 1952 she starred At Sword point as Musketeer Athos' daughter , an untamed Australian girl in Kangaroo and finally the known Lady Godiva as the noblewoman who opens her Saxon husband's eyes by riding bareback through town. There's also the ordinary good-looking , handsome partenaire , the Californian George Nader who starred a lot of Noir , adventure , thriller and action movies , as well . Adding a good support cast , such as Victor McLaglen , Rex Reason , Torin Thatcher , Eduard Franz , Leslie Bradley , Henry Brandon , Arthur Shields , Robert Warwick , Grant Withers , among others .Colorfully produced by Robert Arthur and Universal International , being accompanied by brilliant and glimmering cinematography carried out by director of photography Carl E. Guthrie . As well as thrilling as well as moving musical score by Frank Skinner and Hans J. Salter . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Arthur Lubin.

If the film doesn't have too much historical perspective , however appearing some actual and important roles and essential happenings developed until the famous Hastings Battle (1066) in which William of Normandy ¨the Conqueror¨ defeated the Anglo-Saxons . As Edward the Confessor (1003 -1066) , was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England. Usually considered the last king of the House of Wessex, he ruled from 1042 to 1066. Edward was the son of Canuto Hardeknut, hijo de Canuto the Great ,and Emma of Normandy. He restored the rule of the House of Wessex after the period of Danish rule since Cnut conquered England in 1016. When Edward died in 1066, he was succeeded by Harold Godwinson, who was defeated and killed in the same year by the Normans under William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. Edward's young great-nephew Edgar II of the House of Wessex was proclaimed king after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 but was never crowned and was peacefully deposed after about eight weeks. Historians disagree about Edward's fairly long 24-year reign. His nickname reflects the traditional image of him as unworldly and pious. Confessor reflects his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom as opposed to his uncle, King Edward the Martyr. Some portray Edward the Confessor's reign as leading to the disintegration of royal power in England and the advance in power of the House of Godwin, because of the infighting that began after his death with no heirs to the throne. Biographers Frank Barlow and Peter Rex, on the other hand, portray Edward as a successful king, one who was energetic, resourceful and sometimes ruthless; they argue that the Norman conquest shortly after his death tarnished his image. However, Richard Mortimer argues that the return of the Godwins from exile in 1052 "meant the effective end of his exercise of power", citing Edward's reduced activity as implying "a withdrawal from affairs". About a century later, in 1161, Pope Alexander III canonised the king. Edward was one of England's national saints until King Edward III adopted George of Lydda as the national patron saint in about 1350. Saint Edward's feast day is 13 October, celebrated by both the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

correct

[Kirpianuscus · 21 July 2017]

for many viewers, the basic motif to see this film is an one expected scene. who, unfortunately, is far to be to close by the desires. but., in same measure, the virtue of film remains to not be very different by others from same period and genre. love, conflicts, recreated Medieval fresco, the reasonable performances and Maureen O Hara as a nice Godiva. it is enough for a nostalgic trip around a legendary episode. and the respect for the recipes of genre, with few nice nuances, is a real good point.

Woman behind the man

[HotToastyRag · 4/10 · 21 April 2018]

If you like the comic spoof The Court Jester and want it to be even funnier the next time you watch it, rent The Vagabond King and Lady Godiva of Coventry. Both seem like they borrowed the sets and background actors from Danny Kaye's comedy. In Lady Godiva of Coventry, Maureen O'Hara gives the best performance in the film, and since she's a notorious over-actress, that's saying something. Her leading man is George Nader, and he's so contemporary, he kept reminding me of Christopher McDonald.

As you might be able to surmise from the title, this film focuses on Lady Godiva who famously rode a horse naked. Before you get excited, just remind yourself that this movie was made in 1955, so there's no nudity in the film, and the ride itself isn't a very long scene. Mostly, it's about her courtship and marriage to Lord Leofric, and their disagreements about political issues. The classic "woman behind the man" theory is on full display, so if you like Maureen O'Hara's strong-willed characters she usually plays, you'll probably like her in this movie. And she does look very pretty in Technicolor splendor. If you're just looking for a good movie, or at least one that won't have you running to the kitchen for more popcorn without pressing pause, stick with How Green Was My Valley.

THE BEST(in capitals)

[gavandaly · 10/10 · 5 February 2021]

This film awakened a fiery emotion inside me i did'nt know exsisted:the emotion of love. I was a sad old spinster living of tea and crumpets but after i watched this movie, i ran outside and kissed every man i saw that was 1980 i was in jail for forty years and now i'm 100 but it was life changing.

Very rare film

[searchanddestroy-1 · 29 January 2023]

I have been interested in movies since my childhood and have never heard about this film, starring the fabulous Maureen O'Hara and also directed by Arthur Lubin. I have purchased thousands of movies from the USA, collectors stuff from TV taping offs, trading, taping off from UK and French channels, and also from other countries channels, all over the world ; in short, I have dedicated my life - among other things - seeking, searching, watching movies, especially the rarest one, under the condition the story interests me. For instance, I have never seen E. T, STAR WARS saga nor WEST SIDE STORY. I have all the dictionnaries of directors and their filmographies, and had never noticed this film. Never. Only when it was programmed on a French cable channel, I at last knew of its existence. So, that's done now, and I realize that if I had missed it, I would not have missed much. Nothing terrific in this feature, a rare movie is not necessarily a masterpiece. But it belongs to the Universal Studios costume adventure romance films which they produced during the late forties and fifties. This time, there was nor Tony Curtis nor Jeff Chandler, but George Nader. I had the same feeling in this stuff that I had with Robert Z Leonard's KING'S THIEF, for MGM and made on the same year. Maureen O'Hara was the best choice of a strong - in every way, physical and minded - woman; she was like this in real life. She was the only woman belonging to the John Ford's gang: John Wayne, Victor McLaglen - her co sar here - Ward Bond, Harry Carey, Ben Johnson. The Irish Gang. A weak female would have never been accepted among such rough men.

Lady Godiva of Coventry

[CinemaSerf · 20 September 2022]

This is my kind of movie - a good old historical drama set in 11th Century England. Sadly, though, the whole thing is just too episodic and disjointed for the story to ever really flow. It sets out do depict the tale of the eponymous lady (Maureen O'Hara) who rode naked through the streets of Coventry (draped in "Rapunzel"-esque locks that appear nowhere else on her head in the film!) to draw the attention of her Norman husband "Leofric" (George Nader) to the plight of the commons as the Norman and Saxon peoples of this now divided land start to draw battle lines. Her husband has already fallen foul of King Edward I (Eduard Franz) by refusing to marry his chosen bride, so the couple soon find their allies at court are few, and goaded by the duplicitous "Godwin" (Torin Thatcher) things are soon simmering perilously close to insurrection. Though rooted in fact, this plays fast and loose with just about everything from the history to the characterisations. Thatcher exudes a soupçon of menace, but the rest of the cast really appear to be going through the motions with this colourful, and at times energetic (largely thanks to Victor McLaglen), enterprise. Nobody could ever describe O'Hara as especially versatile - here she is just playing her usual determined and feisty character and though she isn't bad, it's all just the same role she has played against an array of more famous leading men in years gone by. Fans of the men-in-tights genre ought to enjoy it well enough, I did, but it's all pretty unremarkable fayre I'm afraid.