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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 May 12
3/5
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. Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia 07/20/2020
7/10
This 1937 Selznick production, directed by John Cromwell, is very pleasing to me. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine 07/19/2019
With elegant performances by Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Go to Full Review
Christopher Null Filmcritic.com 08/09/2005
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/15/2005
A-
Dan Lybarger Nitrate Online 09/19/2004
5/5
This adaptation holds up really well, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is terrific as the bad guy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Alexander C Jul 6 One of the best adventure films ever made. Judging from the number of ratings, I wish more knew that See more Joe S 08/17/2023 Ronald Colman is Great, but it's Douglas Fairbanks, Junior's film! See more Steve D 05/20/2023 Lame swashbuckler that hasn't aged as well as many. See more Taylor L 09/03/2022 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) See more 09/11/2019 One of my all-time favorites - first discovered it on late-night TV as a kid, and it still delights. See more 01/26/2019 The best thrilling movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as Rupert of Hentzau! See more Read all reviews
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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