Based on the King Features syndicated newspaper comic strip of the same name by Hal Foster, the film stars James Mason, Janet Leigh, Robert Wagner, Debra Paget and Sterling Hayden.

After having grown to become a man, Valiant is sent to Camelot to train under the tutelage of Aguar's family friend, a knight of the Round Table, Sir Gawain.

Brack offers to take Valiant to the place where the prince has seen the Black Knight, someone known only by rumor in Camelot, in order to backtrack him.

Back at Camelot, Valiant discovers that, while searching for him, Gawain ran into an ambush by the Black Knight and barely survived it.

A messenger comes to the castle to see Brack, and the same night Aguar's seal ring is thrown through the window of Gawain's chambers.

But Valiant is discovered before Boltar can kill Sligon; and during his struggle with a guard a false signal is given, causing the Christian Vikings to attack too soon.

To solve the situation, Valiant sets parts of the castle ablaze, breaching the wall and throwing the defenders into confusion, and manages to slay Sligon.

Valiant then returns to Camelot with Aleta and accuses Brack of treachery before Arthur and the assembled Round Table knights.

Brack calls for a trial by combat, and despite Gawain's protest and his offer to fight in Valiant's stead, the prince accepts the challenge.

[13] Filming started on July 7, 1953 on the Fox backlot although Hathaway shot background footage in Scotland from April through to June.

[3] Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote that the film was a faithful adaptation of the comic strip, and that the best part were the epic action scenes.

[16] Variety wrote: "Although the picture comes in a bit overlength at 100 minutes, the direction and Dudley Nichols' scripting combine to bring it off acceptably against some rather dazzling settings, including authentic castles actually lensed in England".

[18] John McCarten of The New Yorker wrote in a negative review of the film that "as it flounders about, it cuts some unintentionally comic capers that might amuse you if you are feeling amiable ...

Prince Valiant is played by Robert Wagner, who reads his lines in a vacant monotone and wears a long Dutch bob and a jerkin with the skittish air of a man trying to be funny in a lady's hat".