The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Anthony Hope (novel)
John L. Balderston (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 September 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The most thrilling swordfight ever filmed...

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

King | Princess | Swashbuckler | Coronation | Sword Wound

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Ronald Colman	...	Major Rudolf Rassendyll / The Prisoner of Zenda
Madeleine Carroll	...	Princess Flavia
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Colonel Zapt
Raymond Massey	...	Black Michael
Mary Astor	...	Antoinette de Mauban
David Niven	...	Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Rupert of Hentzau
Montagu Love	...	Detchard
Philip Sleeman	...	Albert von Lauengram (a conspirator)
Eleanor Wesselhoeft	...	Frau Holf - Cook
Florence Roberts	...	Duenna (scenes deleted)
Torben Meyer	...	Max - Butler
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Byron	...	(scenes deleted)
Francis Ford	...	(scenes deleted)
Margaret Tallichet	...	(scenes deleted)
Wilhelm von Brincken	...	Krafstein

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #3356) | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Selznick International Pictures

Trivia:

Producer David O. Selznick was unsatisfied with the action scenes in the film, particularly the fencing, so he brought in director W.S. Van Dyke to reshoot them after principal photography was finished.

Goofs:

Continuity: The sword fight in the castle of Zenda between Coleman and one of the king's guards appears to be with rapiers, however when the fight is picked up again in the outside room the rapiers have become sabers - necessary in order to cut the rope of the drawbridge.

Quotes:

King: Well, what are you doing here, cousin?
Rudolph Rassendyll: I must admit, Sire, that I may have been guilty of somewhat the same offense as our mutual ancestor.
King: Such as what?
Rudolph Rassendyll: Fishing in forbidden waters.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)

Soundtrack:

On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op.314

King for a day

In "The Prisoner of Zenda", a British major impersonates a foreign king to save his station. The film starts as more of a drama film and makes a transition to action film near the end. It also features nice sets in the old Hollywood style and an appropriate score.

The film's cast delivers great performances. Ronald Colman is charming as Major Rudolf Rassendyll. Madeleine Carroll plays Princess Flavia, who is slated to marry the king. Colman and Carroll have chemistry together and nicely develop a relationship. C. Aubrey Smith is well-cast to play the part of Colonel Zapt, the king's loyal helper, and David Niven has a small role, also on the king's support staff. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. creates a memorable villain as the brazen and obnoxious but somewhat clever Rupert of Hentzau. Raymond Massey is decent as the other main villain, Michael, but not on par with Fairbanks.

The start of the movie develops the film's premise and then the characters. The film mostly has an interesting story and clever dialogue,but it does have some slower spots in the middle. However, the film makes a transition to an action-oriented approach near the end. This was appropriate and in particular there was one duel with some amusing banter that was a highlight of the action. The film culminates in a satisfactory conclusion and is overall worth seeing for its premise, characters, dialogue and action toward the end.