The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers (WGA):

John L. Balderston (screenplay) and
Noel Langley (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 November 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

An Englishman vacationing in a Ruritarian kingdom is recruited to impersonate his cousin, the soon-to-be-crowned king when the monarch is drugged and kidnapped.

Plot Keywords:

Half Brother | Cousin | Coronation | Ruritarian Kingdom | Tourist

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Nov. 15

4:15 PM

TCM

Cast

Stewart Granger	...	Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V
Deborah Kerr	...	Princess Flavia
Louis Calhern	...	Col. Zapt
Jane Greer	...	Antoinette de Mauban
Lewis Stone	...	The Cardinal
Robert Douglas	...	Michael, Duke of Strelsau
Robert Coote	...	Fritz von Tarlenheim
Peter Brocco	...	Johann
Francis Pierlot	...	Josef
James Mason	...	Rupert of Hentzau

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #15979) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

This version's music score is an adaptation of the one composed by Alfred Newman for the 1937 version.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In the opening shot of the movie, showing a train labeled "The Orient Express," there are a couple of very, very tall, California-type palm trees in the background.

Quotes:

Rudolf Rassendyll: I probably looked like a prize idiot and talked like one too.
Princess Flavia: You're too modest. You really looked and acted like a King today.
Rudolf Rassendyll: Oh, thank you.
Princess Flavia: It was delightfully unexpected.
Rudolf Rassendyll: Oh.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)

I like this version more.

I bought a duel set of "The Prisoner of Zenda" that contains both 1937 and 1952 versions, and like the 1952 version much more. First of all, Granger's handsomeness and style fits more to the fairy-tale adventure story of prince and princess, Coleman is too sophisticated for the Rassendyall character. Other casts are better also; Kerr is much prettier and princess like, and Mason is a more impressive villain. I also think that the fighting scenes are better, more elegant and better choreographed. With no less significance is the color ,makes the costume and characters look more sensational, and gives more feeling for the romantic fairy tale .

This movie is pure entertainment, I first saw it in high school, loved it, I still enjoy it 30 years later .