The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)

Anthony Hope's classic tale gets a decidedly 'un-classic' treatment at the hands of Peter Sellers. Following the story somewhat, friends of the new King Rudolph of Ruritania fear for his ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Quine

Writers:

Dick Clement (screenplay), Ian La Frenais (screenplay),

Stars:

Peter Sellers, Lynne Frederick, Lionel Jeffries

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Sellers	...	Rudolf IV / Rudolf V / Syd Frewin
Lynne Frederick	...	Princess Flavia
Lionel Jeffries	...	General Sapt
Elke Sommer	...	The Countess
Gregory Sierra	...	The Count
Jeremy Kemp	...	Duke Michael
Catherine Schell	...	Antoinette
Simon Williams	...	Fritz
Stuart Wilson	...	Rupert of Hentzau
Norman Rossington	...	Bruno
John Laurie	...	Archbishop
Graham Stark	...	Erik
Michael Balfour	...	Luger
Arthur Howard	...	Deacon
Ian Abercrombie	...	Johann

Storyline

Anthony Hope's classic tale gets a decidedly 'un-classic' treatment at the hands of Peter Sellers. Following the story somewhat, friends of the new King Rudolph of Ruritania fear for his life, and switch him with a look-a-like London cabby. Throw in two(!) lovely blondes, treachery, and a battle for life and honour, and enjoy life at its zaniest.

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Plot Keywords:

impersonation | parody | sword fight | slapstick | impostor | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Prisioneiro de Zenda

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios Theme Park, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 93 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lead actors Peter Sellers and Lynne Frederick were married at the time that this movie was made and released. This picture is their only ever film they made together as actors. Frederick though does have an executive producer credit on Sellers' final film The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu.

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Quotes

Rudolf IV: Michael, why do you hate me so?
Duke Michael: Because you are conceited, arrogant, spineless, selfish, shallow, pity, pompous and pitiful!
Rudolf IV: But apart from that?

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Connections

Version of The Prisoner of Zenda (1984)

User Reviews

Looks good and has a great score, but overall a step too far

I really wanted to like this. How could it go wrong with Peter Sellers and Lionel Jeffries on board as well as composer Henry Mancini and script-writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais? Sadly, something did go wrong, and I am still puzzled as what the biggest problem was with this film. Not all is bad though, the film has gorgeous sets and costumes and is beautifully shot, and Henry Mancini's score is great as you would expect from the composer of the Pink Panther movies, Great Mouse Detective and Breakfast at Tiffanys. However, the writing had all the ingredients to be funny but instead came across as forced(which is bad news for a spoof remake, which considering the source material was something I felt wasn't going to work in the first place), while the story as well as being sluggishly paced just lacks wit and thrills and the characters are rather cartoony(especially George Sierra). The acting fares little better, with Peter Sellers, who I consider a comic genius, coming across as both exaggerated and uninterested, while George Sierra even with bulging eyes makes little of his admittedly cartoony character and everyone else, especially John Laurie, have little to do and are dull as a result. In conclusion, not a complete disaster but just didn't work for me. 3/10 Bethany Cox