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IMDb > The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   1,201 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
John L. Balderston (screenplay) and
Noel Langley (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Prisoner of Zenda on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 November 1952 (USA) more
Genre:
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. full summary | add synopsis
User Reviews:
I like this version more. more (31 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jay Adler ... Customs officer (uncredited)
Eric Alden ... Prison guard (uncredited)
Guy Bellis ... Chamberlain (uncredited)
Emilie Cabanne ... Lady with the Cardinal (uncredited)
Mary Carroll ... German wife (uncredited)
Kathleen Freeman ... Gertrud Holf (uncredited)
John Goldsworthy ... Archbishop (uncredited)
William Hazel ... Aide (uncredited)
Thomas Browne Henry ... Detchard (uncredited)
George J. Lewis ... Uhlan guard at hunting lodge (uncredited)
Doris Lloyd ... Lady Topham (uncredited)
Stanley Logan ... Lord Topham (uncredited)
Peter Mamakos ... De Gautet (conspirator) (uncredited)
Paul Marion ... Uhlan guard at hunting lodge (uncredited)
Alphonse Martell ... Nobleman (uncredited)
Joseph Mell ... Railroad guard (uncredited)
Forbes Murray ... Dignitary (uncredited)
Manuel París ... Nobleman (uncredited)
Bruce Payne ... Chamberlain (uncredited)
Alex Pope ... German husband (uncredited)
Hugh Prosser ... Uhlan guard at hunting lodge (uncredited)
Gordon Richards ... Dignitary (uncredited)

Stephen Roberts ... Albert von Lauengram (uncredited)
Victor Romito ... Aide (uncredited)
Elizabeth Slifer ... Woman (uncredited)
George Slocum ... Vendor (uncredited)
Michael Vallon ... Passport official (uncredited)
Peter J. Votrian ... Newsboy (uncredited)
Charles Watts ... The porter (uncredited)
Bud Wolfe ... Bersonin (uncredited)
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Directed by
Richard Thorpe 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
John L. Balderston (screenplay) and
Noel Langley (screenplay)

Wells Root (adaptation)

Anthony Hope (novel "The Prisoner of Zenda")

Edward E. Rose (dramatization) (as Edward Rose)

Donald Ogden Stewart (additional dialogue) originally uncredited

Produced by
Pandro S. Berman .... producer
 
Original Music by
Alfred Newman 
 
Cinematography by
Joseph Ruttenberg 
 
Film Editing by
George Boemler 
 
Art Direction by
Cedric Gibbons 
Hans Peters 
 
Set Decoration by
Richard Pefferle 
Edwin B. Willis 
 
Costume Design by
Walter Plunkett (costumes)
 
Makeup Department
Sydney Guilaroff .... hair stylist
William Tuttle .... makeup creator
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sid Sidman .... assistant director
 
Sound Department
Douglas Shearer .... recording supervisor
 
Special Effects by
Warren Newcombe .... special effects
Richard Newcombe .... special effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Jean Heremans .... fencing master (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Conrad Salinger .... music adaptor: Alfred Newman's 1937 score
Albert Sendrey .... orchestrator (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Robert Brower .... technicolor color consultant
Henri Jaffa .... technicolor color consultant
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This version's music score is an adaptation of the one composed by Alfred Newman for the 1937 version. more
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. more
Quotes:
Rudolf Rassendyll: I know my clothes are a little conservative, but we English always dress as if we're going to a funeral when we're on a holiday. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Royal Flash (1975) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 20 people found the following review useful.
I like this version more., 26 March 2004
8/10
Author: mvfever from Taiwan

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 .

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What a lovely way... shalmayan-1
Remakes and Homages -- Dave, The Great Race, and... Jacqueline? jrpelt
Raymond Massey in '52 version? stuartnelson
THE REMAKE GAME! thomaschipperfield
DVD Release--March 6, 2007 dnscal
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