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The Prisoner of Zenda

Play trailer Poster for The Prisoner of Zenda 1952 1h 40m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
King Rudolf V of Ruritania (Stewart Granger) is suddenly abducted just days before his coronation is to take place. The king's evil brother, Prince Rupert (James Mason), is behind the kidnapping plot, and plans to seize the throne for himself. As the king's supporters try to find him, they stumble upon Rudolf Rassendyl (also Granger), an identical distant cousin who can pose as the betrayed ruler. The plan works well until the king's fiancée, Princess Flavia (Deborah Kerr), suspects foul play.

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The Prisoner of Zenda

Critics Reviews

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Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 12/02/2019
Stewart Granger, James Mason and Deborah Kerr romp with gusto through its silly but diverting story... Go to Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television 09/13/2017
Good-natured swashbuckler has fun story and some of the best European Royalty costumes ever. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 10/20/2012
C+
This remake of the 1937 popular adventure is mediocre, despite the high-caliber stars Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 04/27/2006
C
The 1937 version was much livelier. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Frances H 11/03/2020 My favorite straight version of the Prisoner of Zenda (the comedic one was of course the Peter Sellers version, although the one that was a side play in The Great Race was fun, too). Stewart Granger was such a good swashbuckler, much better than Ronald Coleman. And Deborah Kerr was the beautiful and noble Flavia, but the earlier version of Rupert of Henzau being played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was a better portrayal that James Mason could do--Fairbanks had much more joyful savior faire in the role. Mason was just too clipped and dry to do a good job. See more 03/25/2019 This re-make is a poor cousin to the original (1937). The original had heart, character, and it kept your interest. The re-make was to be a frame-by-frame re-enactment of the original, something that was impossible to do, and something that proved ridiculous to try. Casting details also cheapened the remake and even the shift to color didn't help. The original version is the best. See more 05/12/2017 Perhaps Grangers best movie! Both him and Mason are excellent in the scenes they are together. See more Scott R @ScottR 02/25/2017 A bit too melodramatic, but still enjoyable. See more 10/26/2014 skip this see 1937 version See more 10/26/2014 Solid adventure with sumptuous production values. See more Read all reviews
The Prisoner of Zenda

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Thorpe

Director

Stewart Granger

Rudolf Rassendyll

Deborah Kerr

Princess Flavia

James Mason

Rupert of Hentzau

Jane Greer

Antoinette de Mauban

Louis Calhern

Col. Zapt
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The Prisoner of Zenda

The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis King Rudolf V of Ruritania (Stewart Granger) is suddenly abducted just days before his coronation is to take place. The king's evil brother, Prince Rupert (James Mason), is behind the kidnapping plot, and plans to seize the throne for himself. As the king's supporters try to find him, they stumble upon Rudolf Rassendyl (also Granger), an identical distant cousin who can pose as the betrayed ruler. The plan works well until the king's fiancée, Princess Flavia (Deborah Kerr), suspects foul play.
Director
Richard Thorpe
Producer
Pandro S. Berman
Screenwriter
John L. Balderston, Noel Langley
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Runtime
1h 40m
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