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 ...
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Title: The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)
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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 | |
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by Derek Picken <dpicken@email.msn.com>
Plot Keywords:
slapstick comedy | doppelganger | parodical remake | sword fight | parody |Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 August 1979 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Der Gefangene von Zenda See more »Filming Locations:
Universal Studios Theme Park, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$12,500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$2,425,315, 28 May 1979, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$2,425,315, 28 May 1979Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (Ontario)Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Duke Michael: Because you are conceited, arrogant, spineless, selfish, shallow, pity, pompous and pitiful!
Rudolf IV: But apart from that?
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The first screen version of "The Prisoner of Zenda" made as a comedy though the TV show The DuPont Show of the Month: The Prisoner of Zenda (1961) is also humor. See more »Goofs
As Peter Sellers and his entourage approach the city in this Ruritarian romantic adventure, a tank truck and two Volkswagens can be seen on the horizon. See more »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?
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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King Rudolf IV (Peter Sellers) crashes his balloon and dies falling into a well. General Sapt (Lionel Jeffries) and his nephew Fritz travel to London to retrieve the playboy son Rudolf V (Sellers) from a gambling house. The King's half-brother Michael sends an assassin to kill him. He's having an affair with the married Countess Montparnasse (Elke Sommer). Cab driver Frewin (Sellers) rescues him from an assassin. General Sapt hires Frewin as a coachman but really he's being used as a decoy without his knowledge. Frewin is attacked by Michael's men and the new King meets him. Rudolf is captured and imprisoned in Michael's castle of Zenda. Frewin is coronated instead but Rudolf's fiancée Princess Flavia (Lynne Frederick) notices the ruse.
Peter Sellers is playing multiple roles once again. There is nothing wrong with the plot. It's functional as a drama except it has no intention of being one. As a comedy, there are very few laughs. It's late in director Richard Quine's career and maybe the laughs weren't in him anymore. The slapstick is lazy. The jokes aren't there.