Product Details

• Actors: Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll, C. Aubrey Smith, Raymond Massey, Mary Astor
• Directors: John Cromwell, W.S. Van Dyke
• Writers: Anthony Hope, Ben Hecht, Donald Ogden Stewart, Edward E. Rose, John L. Balderston
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 101 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301976215
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,701 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colman, Fairbanks in Swashbuckling Masterpiece!, November 14, 2000

By 

Benjamin J Burgraff (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Prisoner of Zenda [VHS] (VHS Tape)

'The Prisoner of Zenda' is one of the most fondly-remembered films of the '30s, and for good reason! It offers Ronald Colman, one of Hollywood's most beloved British stars, in the dual role of Rudolf, crown prince of a small European kingdom, and Rudolf Rassendyll, his look-alike British cousin, end product of a brief affair of an ancestor (as the Englishman puts it, "Fishing in forbidden waters!"); the radiant Madeleine Carroll, best-known as Robert Donat's leading lady in Hitchcock's classic 'The 39 Steps', as the royal betrothed, who falls in love with the pretender; Raymond Massey, Canadian star of H.G. Wells' SF masterpiece, 'Things to Come' (and, 3 years later, the quintessential Abraham Lincoln on stage and in film!), as Black Michael, Rudolf's scheming half-brother; and, best of all, a youthful Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., son of silent Hollywood's greatest swashbuckler (and a pretty fair swashbuckler, himself!), as the suavely villainous ally of Michael.

The story is simple, and has been done many times before, but never with such elan; drugged monarch-to-be must be impersonated by look-alike for coronation, lest kingdom fall into hands of evil half-brother. In the hands of this PERFECT cast (with terrific support by C. Aubrey Smith, a young David Niven, and Mary Astor) the tale becomes a stylish tale of love, intrigue, and derring-do! High points include an astonishingly beautiful Royal Ball, where Colman and Carroll reveal their love; a very funny yet menacing meeting between Colman and Fairbanks, as they discuss the real King's potential fate; and best of all, a MAGNIFICENT climactic swordfight between the pair, as they lunge and parry furiously through the halls of a castle, while exchanging quips and one-liners!

This is swashbuckling at it's finest, and is a MUST for any adventure fan's collection! If you are unfamiliar with Ronald Colman's work, you're in for a treat! Don't miss it!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not on DVD...?, November 24, 2005

By 

Ken Jost "Ken" (Madison, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of THE 30s Swashbucklers, July 24, 2002

By 

Gwen Kramer "gwenhwyvar" (Sunny and not-so-sunny California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prisoner of Zenda [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The 30s and 40s were they heyday of the swashbuckler and The Prisoner of Zenda is certainly one of the finest. It combines the action, the intrigue and the melodrama that makes a swashbuckler so irresistable.

Based on the short novel by Anthony Hope, The Prisoner of Zenda is the tale of an Englishman (Ronald Colman) who discovers that he resembles his distant cousin, the heir to the throne of Ruritania, a small eastern European kingdom. The plot is of course very familiar, the use of look alikes as a plot device is older than the hills. But, in both the book and the movie, the plot is handled in such a jaunty manner that it is thoroughly charming.

Though slightly older than the character in the book, Ronald Colman as Rudolph Rasendyll brings a worold weary charm. He is an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Colman is also good as the drunked heir to the throne though this character does not receive nearly as much screentime.

Madeleine Carroll is a lovely leading lady. Raymond Massey plays a plotting villain. Mary Astor is marvelous as the woman scorned. A young David Niven is one of Colman's earnest friends.

But the movie belongs to someone who was a minor villain in the book. (Though the full fledged heavy in the sequel) Rupert of Hentzau, the flashy, wild and wicked right hand man to Massey's evil Duke Michael. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was generally cast as the boyish hero, as Rupert he is still boyish but in a rather twisted way. While he works for Michael, he is still in it for himself. He wants Michael's position, Michael's lands and Michael's girlfriend. (Mary Astor who, ironically, was the leading lady in Son of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr.)

The movie is for the most part faithful to the book, it's main departure is in making the final duel between Rasendyll and Rupert. In the book, Rupert was one of six henchman and Rasendyll battled and English rogue. I must say, putting Rupert in the spotlight was a very good choice.

It's not giving anything away to say that the final duel is just marvelous. As he was in the book, Rasendyll is no master swordsman. He gets by, but he is forced to cheat (throw furniture, etc.) in order to survive against Rupert. There is the expected banter between the antogonists and several close calls. Perfect display of 30s showmanship, right on par with The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood.

In short, this is the definative version of the classic. It is certainly not perfect but it is so enjoyable that any minor flaws are smoothed away. If nothing else, see it for Fairbanks's delightful acting and the great golden age sets and costumes. A swashbuckling fan's delight!