The Prisoner of Zenda

1937
Approved
1h 41m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.An Englishman on a Ruritarian holiday must impersonate the king when the rightful monarch, a distant cousin, is drugged and kidnapped.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

5.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 1 win & 3 nominations total

Trivia
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. initially wanted the double role for himself and actually tested for it. He was devastated when it was awarded to Ronald Colman. Instead he was offered the part of "Rupert of Hentzau" and, according to David O. Selznick, "Nobody else stood a chance!" His father, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., convinced his son that it was a blessing in disguise, as it was the best part in the piece, and advised him on billing and costume.

Goofs
Princess Flavia gives Rassendyll a red rose in the garden. As it lies on a book a little while later, it is white.

Quotes
Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim: Fate doesn't always make the right men kings.

Connections
Featured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Swashbucklers (1964)

Soundtracks
Artist's Life, Op. 316
(uncredited)
Composed by Johann Strauss
[The piece to which Rudolph and Flavia dance at the ball]

User reviews67

Review

Featured review

10/10

Colman & Fairbanks Jr. Shine in Classic Adventure Film

Traveling in a Middle European kingdom, an Englishman on a fishing vacation discovers to his astonishment that he is an identical look-alike for the country's king. When the dissipated monarch is unable to attend his own coronation, the Englishman is pressured to impersonate him temporarily. But when he falls in love with the new queen and the real king is kidnapped by an evil half-brother, the Englishman is swept into a world of intrigue & danger he scarcely knew existed. Can he rescue THE PRISONER OF ZENDA without losing his own life?

This is one of the great adventure films of the 1930's. Given lavish treatment by Selznick Studios, it is escapist cinema at its most enjoyable.

Silky-voiced Ronald Colman is perfectly cast as both the Englishman & the King. He was one of those rare, fortunate actors with great screen charisma - his every moment, every word, is interesting to the viewer. He almost meets his match, though, in Douglas Fairbanks Jr., here playing a charming & completely ruthless young villain. Their rapier fight stands out in a decade full of terrific swordplay.

The rest of the cast is equally impressive: lovely Madeleine Carroll, wicked Raymond Massey, frantic Mary Astor, stalwart David Niven and especially wonderful old Sir C. Aubrey Smith, a model of elderly devotion & courage.