Prince of Foxes (1949) in Color — Starring Tyrone Power & Orson Welles

Prince of Foxes (1949) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Prince of Foxes, the 1949 historical adventure starring Tyrone Power and Orson Welles, now available as a professionally colorized version. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Andrea Orsini is a brilliant and fiercely ambitious painter of humble origins who has clawed his way up from poverty to become one of the most trusted agents and political operatives of the ruthless Cesare Borgia, the cunning and merciless son of Pope Alexander VI who is systematically conquering the independent city-states of Renaissance Italy through an intoxicating combination of diplomatic treachery, bribery, assassination, and overwhelming military force. Borgia sends Orsini on a critical mission to the small but strategically vital duchy of Città del Monte, a hilltop fortress city that stands in the path of Borgia’s relentless campaign of Italian unification under his iron fist. Orsini’s orders are to infiltrate the court, win the trust of its rulers, and prepare the city’s conquest from within — identifying weaknesses in its defenses, corrupting its officials, and ensuring that when Borgia’s army arrives, the gates will swing open without resistance. But when Orsini arrives at the mountain city and meets the noble and deeply honorable Count Marc Antonio Verano, a man of genuine courage and old-world integrity who governs his people with wisdom and compassion, and his beautiful and equally principled wife Camilla, Orsini finds something stirring in him that years of serving Borgia had nearly extinguished — his conscience. For the first time in his ruthless career, Orsini discovers that he cannot betray people of such genuine honor, courage, and human decency, and he begins to question the cold, Machiavellian philosophy that has governed his life and carried him so far. Turning decisively against Borgia in a dangerous act of defiance that puts a massive target on his back, Orsini joins the desperate defense of the besieged city as Borgia’s vast army surrounds its ancient walls, risking everything — his life, his career, his hard-won position — to stand for principles of honor and human dignity that he had long ago abandoned in his ruthless climb to power. As Borgia’s forces tighten their strangling grip on the city and the situation grows more desperate by the hour, Orsini must use every ounce of his formidable cunning, political skill, and intimate knowledge of Borgia’s methods to outmaneuver the most dangerous and powerful man in all of Italy. This classic movie is a sweeping and magnificent Renaissance adventure of intrigue, honor, redemption, and the eternal struggle between power and conscience, filmed on location in the breathtaking landscapes of Italy.

Cast & Crew

Director: Henry King

Stars: Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Wanda Hendrix, Everett Sloane, Katina Paxinou

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Prince of Foxes was originally filmed in black and white despite its lavish production values and the stunning authenticity of its Italian locations — a decision that was controversial even at the time, as many felt such gorgeous scenery deserved to be captured in color. This professionally colorized restoration finally brings the magnificence of Renaissance Italy to vivid, breathtaking life with frame-by-frame precision, from the sun-drenched Tuscan landscapes and ancient hilltop fortresses to the opulent and dangerously beautiful Borgia court teeming with silk-robed conspirators, to the magnificent medieval citadel of Città del Monte perched dramatically atop its mountain as cannons pound its walls. The colorization reveals the full splendor of the Renaissance world — the rich reds and golds of Borgia’s court, the warm stone and terracotta of Italian architecture bathed in Mediterranean light, the gleaming armor and colorful banners of armies on the march, and the lush green landscapes of the Italian countryside that frame this epic story. The colorized version adds breathtaking visual splendor to the Renaissance settings while preserving the epic scope and dramatic grandeur of this restored classic film. Now also available in colour.

Buy Prince of Foxes in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1949, Prince of Foxes was shot extensively on location throughout Italy, using many of the actual Renaissance sites and ancient fortified cities where the historical events upon which the story is based actually took place, giving the film an authenticity and visual grandeur that no studio soundstage could replicate. Tyrone Power, one of the biggest movie stars in the world and at the height of his box-office popularity, brings both charisma and surprising depth to the role of the conflicted Orsini, while Orson Welles delivers a commanding, physically imposing, and deeply menacing performance as Cesare Borgia that many consider one of the greatest screen villains of the decade. Director Henry King, who had guided Power through several of his finest films, orchestrated the complex Italian location shooting with masterful skill, capturing both the intimate political drama and the sweeping battle sequences with equal assurance. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design, recognizing the magnificent Renaissance-period costumes that brought the era to visual life. Based on the bestselling novel by Samuel Shellabarger, the film stands as one of the most ambitious and visually stunning historical adventures of the 1940s. Through modern colorization, this magnificent Renaissance epic finally reaches new audiences with the visual splendor its locations always deserved.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 107 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Was this filmed in Italy?
A: Yes, the film was shot extensively on location throughout Italy, using authentic Renaissance architecture, ancient fortified cities, and stunning landscapes to create a visually magnificent and historically authentic backdrop that no studio could ever replicate.

Q: Is Orson Welles the main star?
A: Tyrone Power stars as the lead character Andrea Orsini, while Orson Welles plays the villainous Cesare Borgia in a memorably commanding and physically imposing supporting role that many consider one of his finest screen performances.

Q: Is the story historically accurate?
A: The film is based on Samuel Shellabarger’s bestselling novel, which takes creative liberties with historical events while accurately capturing the atmosphere of ruthless political intrigue, military conquest, and shifting alliances that characterized Cesare Borgia’s campaign to unite the Italian states.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as an MP4 file that plays on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Adventures of Marco Polo (1938)
• The Crusades (1935)
• City for Conquest (1940)
• Golden Salamander (1950)
• Witness for the Prosecution (1957)