The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Anthony Hope (novel)
Edward E. Rose (dramatisation)

Release Date:

3 September 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The most thrilling swordfight ever filmed...

Plot:

An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.

Plot Keywords:

King | Coronation | Princess | Swashbuckler | Ruritarian Kingdom

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win

Cast

Ronald Colman	...	Maj. Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V
Madeleine Carroll	...	Princess Flavia
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Col. Zapt
Raymond Massey	...	Black Michael
Mary Astor	...	Antoinette de Mauban
David Niven	...	Capt. Fritz von Tarlenheim
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Rupert of Hentzau
Montagu Love	...	Detchard (as Montague Love)
Wilhelm von Brincken	...	Krafstein (as William von Brincken)
Philip Sleeman	...	Albert von Lauengram (a conspirator)
Eleanor Wesselhoeft	...	Frau Holf
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Byron	...	(scenes deleted)
Francis Ford	...	(scenes deleted)
Florence Roberts	...	Duenna (scenes deleted)
Margaret Tallichet	...	(scenes deleted)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #3356) | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Selznick International Pictures

Trivia:

MGM planned to make a musical version with Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, with music by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, but it was never produced.

Goofs:

Continuity: Princess Flavia gives Rassendyll a red rose in the garden. As it lies on a book a little while later, it is white.

Quotes:

King: Well, what are you doing here, cousin?
Rudolph Rassendyll: I must admit, Sire, that I may have been guilty of somewhat the same offense as our mutual ancestor.
King: Such as what?
Rudolph Rassendyll: Fishing in forbidden waters.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Get Smart: To Sire, with Love: Part 1 (#4.20)" (1969)

Soundtrack:

Artist's Life, Op.316

A summary of the best movie of all time!

The Prisoner of Zenda, based somewhat obviously on Shakespeare's The Tempest, is a film that has something for everyone. There's action, adventure, romance, suspense, and swashbuckling. It's a historical film, and over the years hasn't really aged, so it remains fantastic 62 years later. The cast is first rate, especially because the male leads-Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and David Niven-are so handsome and talented, mainly Doug. In the best role of his career, he wields swords, cigarettes, and sticks with an airy sensuality and was deprived of a much-deserved Oscar nomination. The sets and costumes are so magnificently detailed, that you'll wish it was in color. And the script is perfect, with some very witty lines. And the musical score is excellent. Anyone who wants to see a movie with all the basic ingredients for 110 minutes of sheer entertainment should seek this one out.