The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Anthony Hope (celebrated novel), John L. Balderston (screen play),

Stars:

Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll, C. Aubrey Smith

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ronald Colman	...	Major Rudolf Rassendyll / The Prisoner of Zenda
Madeleine Carroll	...	Princess Flavia
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Colonel Zapt
Raymond Massey	...	Black Michael
Mary Astor	...	Antoinette de Mauban
David Niven	...	Fritz von Tarlenheim
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Rupert of Hentzau
Montagu Love	...	Detchard
Philip Sleeman	...	Albert von Lauengram
Eleanor Wesselhoeft	...	Frau Holf - Cook
Florence Roberts	...	Duenna (scenes deleted)
Torben Meyer	...	Max - Butler
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Byron	...	(scenes deleted)
Francis Ford	...	(scenes deleted)
Margaret Tallichet	...	(scenes deleted)

Storyline

This is a classic swashbuckler. Rudolph Rassendyll, Rudolf V's identical distant cousin, is asked to risk his life and impersonate the would-be king when his relative is kidnapped before his impending coronation. If Rudolf V isn't present at the ceremony, he will forfeit the crown to his younger brother. Complications ensue when Princess Flavia, the cousin's betrothed, begins to notice a "personality change" in her fiancé.

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Plot Keywords:

king | princess | swashbuckler | coronation | dungeon | 

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Taglines:

The most thrilling swordfight ever filmed...

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Gefangene von Zenda

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selznick International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Niven and Raymond Massey who both starred together in The Prisoner of Zenda and Stairway to Heaven both died on the same day, July 29th 1983.

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Goofs

Princess Flavia gives Rassendyll a red rose in the garden. As it lies on a book a little while later, it is white.

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Quotes

Rupert of Hentzau: Touché, Rassendyll! I cannot get used to fighting furniture - where did you learn it?
Rudolph Rassendyll: That all goes with the old school tie.
Rupert of Hentzau: Well, then, here's your last fencing lesson. Look out for your head.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Swashbucklers (1964)

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Soundtracks

"On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op.314"
(1866) (uncredited)
Written by Johann Strauß
Whistled by Wilhelm von Brincken

User Reviews

The best screen version of Anthony Hope's novel

Of the at least eight film versions of Anthony Hope's famous novel, this is the best. There is a fairly decent silent version starring Ramon Navarro and a flashier 1950's version with Stewart Granger but this one leads the pack as the most entertaining and the best directed. Dashing Douglas Fairbanks Jr. always in the shadow of his famous father gives the role of Rupert all he's got and that's a lot. He steals every scene he's in, even from the likes of Ronald Coleman and Raymond Massey. He gives treachery and deceit not to mention opportunism new meanings in his double dealings. Few today have even heard of Junior, though most movie buffs have heard of his father silent star Douglas Fairbanks and step mother for a time Mary Pickford. Senior divorced Junior's mother to marry Pickford. Junior gave other outstanding performances on the big screen especially in "Gunga Din" in 1939 opposite Cary Grant and Victor McLaglen. He went on to have a popular television show in the early days of that medium "Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents." He gradually retired from films. Sadly when he passed away in the year 2000 very few knew who he was.

Ronald Coleman gets to play two parts Maj. Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolf V, two lookalike cousins from a family indiscretion several generations back. He does so admirably. Though Madeleine Carroll as Princess Flavia who loves one cousin but is tied to the other out of duty and patriotism is a hard act to follow as always, Mary Astor gives her a good run for the money as Black Michael's (Raymond Massey)lady love. The two ladies counterbalance each other well as stand by your man women but for different reasons. The always underrated and under-appreciated actor Raymond Massey makes the character of Michael come alive with jealousy and vainglory but with true love in his heart for his Antoinette. The grand old man of early cinema C. Aubrey Smith is around to make sure all is done correctly according to pomp and circumstance. David Niven in an early screen role gives his portrayal of Capt. Fritz Von Tarlenheim the easy touch, almost tongue in cheek at times, which lightens the heavy load for the viewers. He is a good counterbalance for the dour C. Aubrey Smith. Silent screen veteran actor Montagu Love is present to show them all how it's done. What a troupe of Thespians to savor!

John Cromwell directs with flair and makes the film move at a fast pace especially near the end. The action sequence when the castle is stormed following the lowering of the draw bridge is intense. The rapier fight between Coleman and Fairbanks is still exciting to watch. The crisp black and white photography makes one forget that the film is not in color. For excitement, adventure, and romance by all means see the 1937 version of "The Prisoner of Zenda."