Event Description

Alain Delon excels in the dual role of hero and villain in this lavish swash-buckler.

Guillame de Saint Preuxin is a French Revolution-era count who leads a double life as the masked bandit ‘Black Tulip’, who holds the surroundings of the village of Roussillon in fear. The poor people of the area respect him as a revolutionary Robin Hood-figure, but when the Black Tulip is injured in a fight he persuades his brother to impersonate him and take on the role. When his brother uncovers the Count’s selfish motives it sparks conflict between them.

Expertly choreographed fight scenes and sumptuous cinematography combine with director Christian-Jaques’ perfectionism and unwillingness to compromise, which pushed Delon to his limits. He brings to life the different characters of the two brothers so well – one a tender flawed hero, the other a cynical anti-hero – and they are edited together on screen so seamlessly that it is hard to believe they are being played by the same iconic actor.

La Tulipe Noire manages to straddle the notoriously difficult divide between serious drama and outright farce, with plenty of light comedic touches and deft character performances, to turn in a timeless classic.

Englsih title: The Black Tulip
Director: Christian-Jaques
Release date: 1964
Classic swashbuckling adventure
Running time: 1hr 55mins
Certificate: U
French with English subtitles

Show times

Sunday 22 March 2026, 3.15pm
Sunday 22 March 2026, 6.45pm

Sunday 22 March 2026

6:45pm

Malvern Theatres

Website

Location

Malvern Theatres

WR14 3HB

01684 892277

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