The Prisoner of Zenda (1952 film)

There are other films with the same original title. (See the prisoner of Zenda).

The Prisoner of Zenda (The Prisoner of Zenda) is an American film directed by Richard Thorpe, based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Hope, the 1937 film version as well as the 1922 silent film version. The script, attributed to Noel Langley, was almost identical word for word to that used in the 1937 version with Ronald Colman, which had been written by John L. Balderston and adapted by Wells Root, from the novel by Hope and the play by Edward Rose, with additional dialogue by Donald Ogden Stewart.

Plot

In the imaginary country of Ruritania, on the eve of the coronation of its sovereign (Stewart Granger), he is kidnapped by his ambitious stepbrother who wants the throne for himself. The monarch's trusted subjects, guessing the evil half-brother's intentions, convince a tourist, Rudolf Rassendyll, to impersonate the king. Their resemblance is so remarkable that none of the other subjects notice the difference. But the real king must be rescued. The next day an expedition is prepared to get him out of Zenda Castle, where he is kidnapped. The tourist, in love with Princess Flavia (Deborah Kerr) of the court, actively participates in the fight. As a prize he will get her love.

Presentations of actors in the film's claim.

Jane Greer.

Robert Douglas.

Cast

• Stewart Granger is Rudolf Rassendyl/Rey Rudolf V.
• Deborah Kerr is Princess Flavia. Jean Simmons and formerly Eleanor Parker were tanned for paper.
• James Mason is Rupert of Hentzau.
• Louis Calhern is Colonel Sapt.
• Robert Coote is Fritz von Tarlenheim.
• Robert Douglas is Michael, Duke of Strelsau.
• Jane Greer is Antoinette de Mauban.
• Lewis Stone is the Cardinal.

Production

This version differs very little from the 1937 version produced by David O. Selznick and starring Ronald Colman and Madeleine Carroll. In addition, the same soundtrack composed by Alfred Newman is preserved.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, MGM paid Selznick $225,000 for the rights to the Anthony Hope novel.

Director Richard Thorpe and producer Pandro S. Berman had previously collaborated on Ivanhoe (1952) and would later team up on classic titles such as All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953), Knights of the Round Table (1953), The Adventures of Quentin Durward, (1955) and Jailhouse Rock (1957).

Distribution

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) released the film on November 14, 1952 after opening in New York on November 4 and Los Angeles on November 13.

Reception

The film was well received by critics and audiences, according to MGM data it grossed $2,078,000 in North America and $3,550,000 in the rest of the world, obtaining profits of $1,759,000. It was a tremendous success in France, with 2,415,938 viewers.