Loosely based on The Brigand by Alexandre Dumas, the film is set in the Napoleonic era in 1804 in the mythical Iberian nation of "Mandorra". The film bears a resemblance to The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope with Dexter playing a dual role of a rogue exile who impersonates a King in danger of being overthrown by his cousin played by Anthony Quinn.

The scheming Quinn plans a "premeditated accident" to King Lorenzo by giving him a hunting weapon that is rigged to fire backwards. With the real King unable to perform his duties, the swashbuckling distant relative Carlos DeLago, late of the Sultan of Morocco's Guard steps in to save the Kingdom.

Cast

Anthony Dexter as Captain Carlos Delargo/King Lorenzo of Mandorra
Jody Lawrance as Princess Teresa
Gale Robbins as Countess Flora
Anthony Quinn as Prince Ramon
Carl Benton Reid as Prime Minister Triano
Ron Randell as Captain Ruiz
Ian MacDonald as Maj. Schrock
Lester Matthews as Dr. Lopez
Walter Kingsford as Sultan of Morocco
Holmes Herbert as Archbishop
George Melford as Majordomo (uncredited)

Production

In May 1949 it was reported that producer Edward Small had hired Robert Libott, and Frank Burt to write a script.{{cite news|title=MOVIELAND BRIEFS|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 3, 1949|page=A7}} In December 1949 Small signed a two-year contract with Columbia Pictures to make "projects he had been developing for some time," "two to six" films, starting with adventure film Lornna Doone (1951) directed by Phil Karlson.{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/unsung-aussie-actors-ron-randell-top-twenty/|title=Unsung Aussie Actors – Ron Randell: A Top Twenty|date=August 10, 2019}}

At the same time, Small had another contract with Columbia to distribute Valentino (1951), his biopic of Rudolph Valentino starring Anthony Dexter.{{cite news|title=METRO WILL FILM STORY OF ISRAEL|work=New York Times|date=Dec 21, 1949|page=41}} In August 1950 Small announced that he would make two films fot Columbia starring Dexter, The Brigand, and a remake of Valentino's 1921 romantic drama The Sheik.{{cite news|title=Mitchell Likely Cap'n Andy; Preston to Star as Heavy With Rooney|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Aug 22, 1950|page=A11}}

In May 1951 Jesse L. Lasky, Jr., who worked on Lornna Doone, was reportedly writing the script of the film{{cite news|title=STUDIO BRIEFS|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 16, 1951|page=B8}} while Karlson was announced as director. Several actors return too: Carl Benton Reid, Ron Randell,{{cite news|title=JAPANESE ACTRESS GETS ROLE IN MOVIE|work=New York Times|date=May 22, 1951|page=37}} and Lester Matthews.

Filming started 9 July 1951.{{cite news|title=Drama: 'Ice Cream League' Will Aid Cause of Juveniles; Mary Anderson Stars|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 22, 1951|page=B7}} After the production, Small left Columbia to return to United Artists.{{Cite news|title='Telegraph Hill' Aimed at Andrews and Prelle; Kazan Runs 'Streetcar'|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Dec 22, 1949|work=Los Angeles Times|page=15}}

Reception

The New York Times called it "no great shakes. But neither, as a standard sample of this type of entertainment, is it hard to take."{{cite news|title=The Brigand' Plays Dual Role at Palace|author=H. H. T.|work=New York Times|date=26 July 1952|page=9}} Variety called it "a program swashbuckler".{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/variety186-1952–06/page/n5/mode/1up?q=%22the+brigand%22|title=Review of film|work=Variety}} The Los Angeles Times said "serious characterisation gives way to dash and colour."{{cite news|title=SWASHBUCKLERS TAKE OVER ON TWO SCREENS|author=Scott, John L.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=31 July 1952|page=A7}}