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The Prisoner of Zenda

Play trailer Poster for The Prisoner of Zenda 1937 1h 41m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This adventure-filled drama finds Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll (Ronald Colman) 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 (Raymond Massey) can't assume the throne. To further complicate matters, Rassendyll starts to fall for Rudolf V's intended bride, Flavia (Madeleine Carroll).

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The Prisoner of Zenda

Critics Reviews

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Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap This identity-switcheroo adventure mixes romance and swashbuckling, but probably should've had David Niven in the lead role instead of as the side piece. Rated: 3/5 May 12, 2025 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia This 1937 Selznick production, directed by John Cromwell, is very pleasing to me. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 Jul 20, 2020 Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine With elegant performances by Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Jul 19, 2019 Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Rated: 3/5 Aug 9, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: A- Jun 15, 2005 Full Review Dan Lybarger Nitrate Online This adaptation holds up really well, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is terrific as the bad guy. Rated: 5/5 Sep 19, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alexander C One of the best adventure films ever made. Judging from the number of ratings, I wish more knew that Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Joe S Ronald Colman is Great, but it's Douglas Fairbanks, Junior's film! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/17/23 Full Review Steve D Lame swashbuckler that hasn't aged as well as many. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/20/23 Full Review Taylor L Raymond Massey here is the spitting image of Christopher Lloyd, same distinctive facial structure. Classic villain look when you give him a monocle. Like most swashbucklers, The Prisoner of Zenda is unashamedly rooted in Victorian sensibilities (it is based on an 1894 novel, after all); when a character pulls a pistol instead of facing down his adversary with a gilded saber, there's this sense of implicit contempt as if they are breaking the unwritten rules of conduct. It's a narrative that exists in exotic ballrooms with intrigue and adventure lingering just below the surface, with love that takes hold quickly and burns bright, and characters full of wit and daring ready to do what is right. It's a boyhood adventure romp, not a hardboiled noir, and it's perfectly serviceable in that role, an updated rendition of classic Douglas Fairbanks pictures of years prior. It's not the type of film that could ever be made seriously again, but still feels fun and entertaining if fantastical. Speaking of Faribanks, this is perhaps the single greatest role for his son, Fairbanks Jr., who shines as a charming but vicious supporting antagonist who gradually takes center stage through his scheming; he really fills out everything you could ask for in a roguish villain, the kind that wears his military cap at an angle and carries a throwing knife up his sleeve. (3.5/5) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/03/22 Full Review Audience Member One of my all-time favorites - first discovered it on late-night TV as a kid, and it still delights. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member The best thrilling movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as Rupert of Hentzau! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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John Cromwell

Director

Ronald Colman

Major Rudolf Rassendyll

Madeleine Carroll

Princess Flavia

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Rupert of Hentzau

C. Aubrey Smith

Colonel Zapt

Raymond Massey

Black Michael

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The Prisoner of Zenda

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Movie Info

Synopsis This adventure-filled drama finds Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll (Ronald Colman) 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 (Raymond Massey) can't assume the throne. To further complicate matters, Rassendyll starts to fall for Rudolf V's intended bride, Flavia (Madeleine Carroll).
Director
John Cromwell
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists, Turner Entertainment
Production Co
Selznick International Pictures
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 3, 1937, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Runtime
1h 41m
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