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The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

4.0 of 5 from 48 ratings
1h 41min
Not released
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Synopsis:
This adventure-filled drama finds Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll on vacation in a small European country, where he discovers his resemblance to the nation's royal heir-apparent, Rudolf V. When the king-to-be is drugged and incapacitated, Rassendyll must impersonate him, so that the scheming Duke Michael can't assume the throne. To further complicate matters, Rassendyll starts to fall for Rudolf V's intended bride Flavia.
Actors:
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Directors:
,
Writers:
Anthony Hope, John L. Balderston
Others:
Alfred Newman, Lyle Wheeler
Genres:
Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama, Romance
Collections:
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BBFC:
Release Date:
Not released
Run Time:
101 minutes

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Reviews (1) of The Prisoner of Zenda

Classic Swashbuckler. - The Prisoner of Zenda review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
07/04/2022

The best of the thirties Hollywood historical adventure stories. It's a fantasy which is clearly improbable but so extravagantly romantic that this doesn't matter. Ronald Colman plays dual roles: the king in-waiting of a small middle European state who is kidnapped on the day of his coronation; and his distant, but identical relative, Major Rudolph Rassendyll, formerly of the British army, who steps into the royal shoes on the big day.

Rassendyll is soon up to his neck in courtly intrigue, and romancing the king's beautiful betrothed, princess Flavia (Madeleine Carroll). The supporting cast is superb, particularly Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as a sort of wicked mirror image of Rassendyll. Alfred Newman's score is alternatively rousing and tender. The solo violin motif that accompanies the imposter's courting of his would-be queen is a fabulous tearjerker.

The film is so vivaciously entertaining mainly because of Ronald Colman. He is phenomenal; so gallant and polished. Naturally... as an English gentleman, he possesses an instinctive regard for virtue, which he defends with an insouciant knack for adventure. Colman tosses off his self deprecating daring with just an arch of the brow.  It's an endearing performance of limitless charm which has been imitated many times.

In the end, everyone left alive does their duty. The elegant princess gives up her love for Rassendyll. Maybe this was meant to invoke the recent British abdication crisis... If there is a message to take away, it is that a monarchy is a crazy system of government! The best possible candidate is the ineligible Rassendyll! Sure, this film is superficial and sentimental, but it is a fantasy of huge appeal, with a definitive action hero performance from Colman.

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