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The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
14 November 1952 (USA)
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Plot:
An Englishman vacationing in a Ruritarian kingdom is recruited to impersonate his cousin, the soon-to-be-crowned king when the monarch is drugged and kidnapped. full summary | add synopsis
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User Comments:
Average Technicolor remake of a 1937 classic...the fight scenes are a big improvement here...
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Stewart Granger | ... | Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V | |
| Deborah Kerr | ... | Princess Flavia | |
| Louis Calhern | ... | Col. Zapt | |
| Jane Greer | ... | Antoinette de Mauban | |
| Lewis Stone | ... | The Cardinal | |
| Robert Douglas | ... | Michael, Duke of Strelsau | |
| Robert Coote | ... | Fritz von Tarlenheim | |
| Peter Brocco | ... | Johann | |
| Francis Pierlot | ... | Josef | |
| James Mason | ... | Rupert of Hentzau |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
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Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The original New York production of The Prisoner of Zenda opened at the Lyceum Theater on September 4, 1895.
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Goofs:
Errors in geography: In the opening shot of the movie, showing a train labeled "The Orient Express," there are a couple of very, very tall, California-type palm trees in the background.
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Quotes:
King Rudolf V:
I propose a toast.
Man: Here here!
Fritz von Tarlenheim: Another toast!
King Rudolf V: A toast to... have we anybody left?
Rudolf Rassendyll: Your brother Michael, perhaps?
King Rudolf V: We drink to Michael in vinegar, my friend, not in good wine.
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Man: Here here!
Fritz von Tarlenheim: Another toast!
King Rudolf V: A toast to... have we anybody left?
Rudolf Rassendyll: Your brother Michael, perhaps?
King Rudolf V: We drink to Michael in vinegar, my friend, not in good wine.
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Movie Connections:
Remake of The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
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The 1937 film version, produced by David Selznick and starring Ronald Colman as Rudolf Rassendyll/King Rudolf V, Madeline Carroll as Princess Flavia, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as the villainous Rupert of Hentzau, is an escapist fantasy adventure classic in many respects. It's one of my all-time favorite stories and one of my favorite films to enjoy whenever I'm bored. Besides, the film inspired me to create written adventures of my own imaginary European country as a high school student.
Many years later the MGM studios decided to produce a Technicolor remake of the 1937 film. In few elements, such as in the production values and action scenes, it's an improvement. In most elements it's not.
Here we have a scene-for-scene remake that's virtually identical (even in the camera angles, dialog, and stirring music score by Alfred Newman) to the 1937 film except for the casting. And the casting is the weakest flaw here. Apart from Jane Greer in the Mary Astor role, we have Stewart Granger who has the required athleticism but lacks Ronald Colman's urbane panache in order to act regal. Deborah Kerr's Princess Flavia is a one-dimensional character here. The love scenes and chemistry between Granger and Kerr seems forced and unconvincing. The suave James Mason lacks Douglas Fairbank's young, devilish charm as Rupert of Hentzau, which made Fairbanks so enjoyable to watch in the 1937 version. The supporting characters, Colonel Zapt (Louis Calhern) and Fritz (Robert Coote), are reduced to mere puppets here and lack the buddy charm that C. Aubrey Smith and David Niven contained in the 1937 version.
Even worse, MGM contract director Richard Thorpe captained the film. Being an average director who always relied on shooting as few takes as possible and caring little for artistic temperament or actors' performances, his vast film work was only average and mostly unsatisfactory. He was never one of my favorite classic film directors.
However, it is the magnificent Technicolor production design, as well as the improved final duel between Rassendyll and Rupert, that makes the remake worth watching. Thanks to the bright lighting required for shooting in Technicolor, the night scenes are easier to watch this time. Even better, the exciting final duel is much more elaborately and imaginatively staged this time, while the two opponents in the 1937 version only looked as if they were fencing someone off-camera in close-ups and relying on stunt men in their long shots. Next to THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940), and THE SEA HAWK (1940), this one ranks as one of my favorite film duels. However, despite the extravagant settings, the period look goes a little too far...the men smoke ladies' cigarettes and in two scenes Granger wears the most effeminate fur overcoat I've ever seen!
A beautiful Technicolor production and an awesome duel scene within...but after watching this version it's like you've just ate a slice of French silk chocolate pie, which is rich and filling but lacks the substance and nutritional value of a healthier dark chocolate bar.
Stick to the 1937 version, please.