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The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

Adventure | 96 minutes
2,88 36 votes

Genre: Adventure / Drama

Duration: 96 minuten

Country: United States

Directed by: Richard Thorpe

Stars: Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr and Louis Calhern

IMDb score: 6,9 (4.293)

Releasedate: 4 November 1952

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The Prisoner of Zenda plot

"A Swashbuckling Adventure In The Grand Style!"

Rudolf Rassendyll is surprised to discover that he is a doppelgänger of King Rudolf V. Fearing an attempt on the king's life, the court asks Rassendyll to take his place so that the real king can hide safely.

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Full Cast & Crew

Actors and actresses

Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V

Princess Flavia

Antoinette de Mauban

The Cardinal

Michael, Duke of Strelsau

Fritz von Tarlenheim

Rupert of Hentzau

Reviews & comments


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thunderball

  • 5878 messages
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Watched this again tonight as I do every year around this time.

Once upon a time, in the 1980s, Belgian television broadcast an old-fashioned film every Saturday afternoon. In their infinite wisdom, they decided to air two consecutive Saturdays, first the old black-and-white version from 1937, and then this new color version a week later. This gave the viewer the impression they'd been watching the same film twice, as it was almost a literal copy of the first film. Scene after scene was copied, and almost exactly the same, except for minor changes, which usually ended up being detrimental.

In addition, almost everything about this version is inferior, except for the beautiful colours.

The only thing that really seems to be an improvement is the final duel, which this time is Granger vs. Mason, and that fencing match is one of the best of its kind and looks truly fantastic.

I also felt a better and stronger emotional connection between Granger and Kerr than between Coleman and Carroll in the first film, but perhaps I'm not entirely objective, as I've seen this newer film more often.

Mason excels in his role as the villain's sly companion, and while he's certainly a good actor and has the necessary charisma, he can't resist comparison with his predecessor, Fairbanks Jr., who was truly nothing short of brilliant in the previous version!

Still, this isn't a bad film, especially for anyone who hasn't seen the older black-and-white film. It's definitely a beautiful, romantic, and exciting adventure film, and the story still holds up well. But definitely check out the 1937 version as well.

Despite the fact that there is little to be seen of any artistic intention, as it is almost a one-to-one re-filming, the entertainment value is very high and, just like the previous film, I give it an eight, or four stars.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original