The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

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.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

John L. Balderston (screenplay), Noel Langley (screenplay),

Stars:

Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Louis Calhern

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

Storyline

English trout fisher Rudolf Rassendyll is about the only tourist not coming for the coronation of Central-European King Rudolf V at Strelsau, but happens to be a distance relative and is approached on account of their canning resemblance to stand in for the drunk king, in order to prevent his envious half-brother Michael, who arranged spiking his wine to seize the throne when the reputedly less then dutiful Rudolf stays away. The ceremony goes well, and he gets acquainted with the charming royal bride, related princess Flavia, but afterward the king is found to be abducted; he must continue the charade and once the hiding place, the castle of Zenda, is found is involved in the fight between political parties for control over Rudolf V, his the throne and his bride, for which a formidable third candidate, Michael's disloyal co-conspirator Rupert of Hentzau, was waiting in the curtains.

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Plot Keywords:

castle | ruritarian kingdom | coronation | half brother | tourist | 

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

De gevangene van Zenda

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This version's music score is an adaptation of the one composed by Alfred Newman for the 1937 version.

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Goofs

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: You must forgive me if I seem a little slow, but it's a bit early in the day to see double. Even for me.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Great Race (1965)

User Reviews

I like this version more.

I bought a duel set of "The Prisoner of Zenda" that contains both 1937 and 1952 versions, and like the 1952 version much more. First of all, Granger's handsomeness and style fits more to the fairy-tale adventure story of prince and princess, Coleman is too sophisticated for the Rassendyall character. Other casts are better also; Kerr is much prettier and princess like, and Mason is a more impressive villain. I also think that the fighting scenes are better, more elegant and better choreographed. With no less significance is the color ,makes the costume and characters look more sensational, and gives more feeling for the romantic fairy tale .

This movie is pure entertainment, I first saw it in high school, loved it, I still enjoy it 30 years later .