- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
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4 out of 5
A justifiable box-office smash in what was, with hindsight, one of MGM's greatest years, this rollicking Technicolor swashbuckler remains the definitive screen version of Sir Walter Scott's memorable medieval classic. The cast and the action sequences are almost perfect; though suitably handsome, American Robert Taylor is a little dull as Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, but Elizabeth Taylor as Rebecca is at her loveliest, Emlyn Williams is wonderfully theatrical as Wamba, and villains George Sanders, Robert Douglas and, especially, lean and mean Guy Rolfe as Prince John are superb. Interestingly, Scott's sub-theme about anti-Semitism in 1190 England is not glossed over, making this one of the few 1950s movies to deal openly with such a tricky subject. Serious issues aside, this is a real treat for children of all ages, and makes all TV versions seem tame and pointless by comparison.
Plot Summary
Epic adventure starring Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor. King Richard the Lionheart is being held captive in Austria, but his scheming brother, Prince John, refuses to pay the ransom. Heroic Ivanhoe, loyal to Richard and seeking ways to raise the money, finds a friend in Isaac of York and his beautiful daughter Rebecca. But John will go to any lengths to ensure that they do not succeed.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Ivanhoe
- Robert Taylor (1)
- Rebecca
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Rowena
- Joan Fontaine
- De Bois-Guilbert
- George Sanders
- Wamba
- Emlyn Williams
- Sir Hugh De Bracy
- Robert Douglas
- Cedric
- Finlay Currie
- Isaac of York
- Felix Aylmer
- Font De Boeuf
- Francis De Wolff
- Prince John
- Guy Rolfe
- King Richard
- Norman Wooland
- Waldemar Fitzurse
- Basil Sydney
- Locksley
- Harold Warrender
- Philip De Malvoisin
- Patrick Holt
- Ralph de Vipont
- Roderick Lovell
- Clerk of Copmanhurst
- Sebastian Cabot
Crew
- Director
- Richard Thorpe
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