Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301976213
Format: Black & White
ISBN: 6301976215
Label: MGM (Warner)
Manufacturer: MGM (Warner)
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MGM (Warner)
Release Date: 1998-09-01
Running Time: 101
Studio: MGM (Warner)
Theatrical Release Date: 1937-09-03

One of numerous film versions of Anthony Hope's novel, this 1937 production directed by John Cromwell (Algiers) gets it right. Ronald Colman stars as a British commoner asked to substitute for his lookalike cousin, the king of a small, European country. Besides falling in love with a royal (Madeleine Carroll), he becomes subject to the machinations of a villain (Douglas Fairbanks Jr. who almost steals the show). A classic swashbuckler, the film depends a little too much on an air of pomp (as if to make sure we understand that Colman's character is seeing all this from the inside for the first time). But in every significant sense, this is high adventure for the ages. --Tom Keogh

Customer Rating:
Summary: Horizon
Comment: This has always been for me the definitive Zenda film. With a great cast of actors, great adventure story and an ill fated romance. What more could one ask.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Unsurpassed!
Comment: This movie is a gen from the golden age of moviemaking. Anthony Hope's story comes to life with strong performances by some of the greatest actors of the 30s. Madeleine Carroll is heart-breakingly beautiful as Princess Flavia and Douglas Fairbanks, jr. almost steals the show as the rascal/villain Rupert of Hentzau.

This is my favorite movie, so it's sad to see that it STILL ISN'T ON DVD! What's up with that?

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A great forgotten Classic
Comment: I'm baffled as to why this hasn't been brought out on DVD yet, considering the amount of shoddy films from this and later periods that have.

The best of the various versions of Prisoner (including, yes, the spoof segment in The Great Race, though that comes close) it includes a splendid early performance by a young David Niven, as well as the leads, Coleman and Fairbanks jr.
For anyone who even mildly enjoys classic movies, this splendid romp has it all, much buckling of swashes, comic villainy, the heroism of the ordinary man thrown into extraordinary situations, gorgeous costumes and a brilliant, climactic swordfight! Speed the day that SOME studio executive gets it together and releases this on DVD!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!
Comment: I enjoyed this movie immensely. Ronald Colman did an excellent job in his dual role, and all the supporting actors were well chosen. I don't agree with other opinions that Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. stole the show. I do agree that the final duel was magnificently done! It had all the hallmarks of 30's swashbucklers, including witty dialogue and shots where the camera shows the shadows of the men fighting. This movie proves that a viewer can be entertained without the extraneous offensive elements they put in movies today. Over all, this is a great classic that I want to add to my library!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not on DVD...?
Comment: The fact that this film is not on DVD is truly a testment to the stupidity of mankind and whatever organization it is that owns the rights to it!

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