Main Cast: Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Emlyn Williams
Release Year: 1952
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 107 minutes
Plot
Produced by MGM's British facilities, the Technicolor Ivanhoe starred Robert Taylor in the title role. Returning to England from the Third Crusades, Ivanhoe is given a cool but cordial reception by his estranged father Cedric (Finlay Currie), a Saxon who despises the Norman king Richard the Lionhearted. Cedric introduces Ivanhoe's fellow knights De Bois-Guilbert (George Sanders) and Sir Hugh de Bracy (Robert Douglas) to Cedric's lovely ward Rowena (Joan Fontaine), who was in love with Ivanhoe until he cast his lot with Richard. Leaving his father's castle, Ivanhoe rescues Isaac (Felix Aylmer), a wealthy Jew, from a band of anti-Semitic Normans. In gratitude, Isaac's beautiful daughter Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor) finances Ivanhoe's entry into an upcoming tournament; he'd been denied backing by his father because he'd planned to use the prize money to ransom the captured King Richard. At the tournament, the disguised Ivanhoe vanquishes all comers, dedicating his victory to Rebecca, which causes a gust of bigoted gossip from the crowd. Behind the scenes, Richard's wicked brother Prince John (Guy Rolfe) plots to discredit Ivanhoe so that the ransom can never be paid. Joining John in this conspiracy is De Bois-Guilbert, who covets Rebecca, and Sir Hugh, who wants to make Rowena his own. After several thrilling adventures and villainous double-crosses, Rebecca is kidnapped and tried as a witch, the better to bring Ivanhoe out in the open and dispose of him once and for all. But the deux-ex-machina appearance by King Richard (Norman Wooland) and the assistance of loyal "outlaw" Robin Hood (Harold Warrender) brings the bad guys to heel and clears the path for a happy ending. Lensed on an epic scale, this adaptation of the Sir Walter Scott classic remains one of MGM's most solid swashbucklers. The property was remade for television in 1982, with Anthony Andrews in the title role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Ivanhoe films are based on the novel by Sir Walter Scott. The novel has been made into a movie several times; the first adaptation was done as early as 1913.
In 1982 a made-for-television version, half an hour longer than the 1952 film, was made, starring Anthony Andrews as Ivanhoe. Other actors involved in this version were John Rhys-Davies and Sam Neill. Rebecca was played by Olivia Hussey, and James Mason played Isaac of York.
1997 Ivanhoe TV Mini-series
A&E TV Networks and BBC teamed up in 1997 to produce a TV mini-series based on Sir Walter Scott's classic, eponymous novel. The 5-hour series is directed by Stuart Orme with a screenplay written by Deborah Cook. The saga hosts a cast of many illustrious names from within the British acting community.
Steven Waddington stars as the hero, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe. He is a Saxon knight in the service of the lion-hearted Norman King Richard I (Rory Edwards) during the Holy Crusades. After successfully sacking the Muslim-held town of Acre, Richard and his company undertake a return journey to England. Whilst traveling through Austria, they are taken prisoner by the Arch-duke Leopold. It is within an Austrian dungeon that the series begins and we meet our protagonist. Meanwhile, in his native England, Ivanhoe's reputation has become tainted with allegations of treason to his king. As a result, his father, Lord Cedric of Rotherwood (James Cosmo), has disowned him, and his land holdings have become forfeit to the Norman aristocracy.
Thus we find Sir Wilfred back in England 13 months later, determined to clear his name and reclaim his life. He is assisted in his endeavors by Gurth (Trevor Cooper), Ivanhoe's one-time squire and Lord Cedric's swineherd, as well as Wamba (Jimmy Chisolm), Lord Cedric's nephew and resident fool. Also aiding Ivanhoe are the money-lender Isaac of York (David Horovitch) and his daughter Rebecca (Susan Lynch), a healer and wise-woman. Cameos are made by Robin Hood (Aden Gillett), Little John (David Nicholls), and Friar Tuck (Ron Donachie).
Ivanhoe's chief nemeses include Richard's devious brother Prince John of Anjou (Ralph Brown), and his Norman champions: Templar knight (and Ivanhoe's former Crusades compatriot) Sir Brian de Bois-Gilbert (Ciaran Hinds), Sir Maurice de Bracy (Valentine Pelka), and Sir Reginald Front de Boeuf (Nick Brimble). Rounding out the cast of antagonists are the zealous Templar Grand Master Lucas de Beauxmanois (Christopher Lee) and Prince John's Chancellor and master-politician Waldemar Fitzurse (Ronald Pickup).
The story features a dizzying array of intersecting plot-arcs, and coincidental meetings are abundant. Among the conflicts that Ivanhoe faces is the betrothal of his childhood sweetheart (and ward of Lord Cedric) Rowena (Rebecca Smurfit) to Lord Aethelstane (Chris Walker), last of the royal Saxon line of Alfred the Great. Ivanhoe also must contend with de Bois-Gilbert's efforts to permanently prevent him from exposing de Bois-Gilbert as the true traitor to King Richard.
At the crossroads where love, loyalty, betrayal, kidnapping, murder, arson, intrigue, espionage, assassination, and warfare meet, there you'll find Ivanhoe.
