Figure 1.-- This MGM 18th century tale is about an orphaned boy named John Mohune. He appears in the village of Moonfleet with a note his mother wrote to the local squire--Jeremy Fox played by Stewart Granger. Fox is a morally ambiguous man with an unknown past relationshop to his mother. The man is an elegant gentleman, but involved with pirares and smugglers. The boy is a complication to him and his nefarious activities. Jon Whiteley (1945- ) who also appeared in 'The Spanish grdener' ably plays John. Jon was a popular British child star duringvthe early 50s. We suspect he was chosen because the film was shot in england and a boy with an English accent was wanted.

This MGM 18th century tale is about an orphaned boy named John Mohune. He appears in the village of Moonfleet with a note his mother wrote to the local squire--Jeremy Fox played by Stewart Granger. Fox is a morally ambiguous man with an unknown past relationshop to his mother. The man is an elegant gentleman, but involved with pirares and smugglers. The boy is a complication to him and his nefarious activities. Fox sends young John off to a boarding school. John as the film progresses learns that he is to inherit a precious jewel and comes to suspect that his guardian may have ulterior motives. John returns to Moonfleet after his diamond. Fox indeed has ulterior motives, but they do not include doing harm to the boy and in the end does rightb by the boy--perhaps thinking of his mother. The film is based on the novel of the same name by J. Meade Falkner. It has the feel of Robert Lewis Stevensipn and Treasure Island. The film departs significantly fron the plot of the book. The story is set England, along the Englisg Channel in Dorset. The title does not refer to ships, but rather the small village just west of Portland. The film was directed by the famed Fritz Lang. A rare adventure film he made that might be considered a family film, It is not one of his outstanding films, but certainly not a poor film either. I supose I am rather boased as I never cared much for Stewaart Granger. Jon Whiteley (1945- ) who also appeared in 'The Spanish grdener' ably plays John. Jon was a popular British child star duringvthe early 50s. We suspect he was chosen because the film was shot in england and a boy with an English accent was wanted.

Created: 5:31 PM 6/25/2009
Last updated: 5:31 PM 6/25/2009