The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

Two versions of Anthony Hope's THE PRISONER OF ZENDA are brought to the screen here. The version from 1952 stars Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr while the 1937 adaptation features Ronald Colman in a dual role as dead ringers Rudolph Rassendyll a commoner and Rudolf V the crown prince of Ruritania.System Requirements:Running Time: 201 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 012569795082 Manufacturer No: 79508 Product Description

A Classic & Above-Average Copy

The Prisoner of Zenda 2 pack is a real treat for fans of the story & the films. Watching them side by side invites the inevitable comparisons and the 1952 version comes up way short. This is not a criticism of that film; rather it is an affirmation of how great the 1937 version is. The '52 entry is a shot-by-shot remake using the same script and much of
the same score but filmed in color. The action sequences are beefed up and the climactic sword duel is well-staged and goes on forever. The critical difference in the films is not necessarily the casting but the performances. In general the actors in the '52 film seem very histrionic and overwrought in many scenes while the performers in the earlier version are more subtle, nuanced, and ultimately more effective. The only performer in the second film that is not up to snuff is Jane Greer as Antoinette, who is awful. Deborah Kerr is hard to take as the virginal Flavia while Madeleine Carroll in the '37 film looks like she stepped out of a storybook. Raymond Massey, no stranger to chewing scenery, is perfectly sinister & tragic in the '37 film while Robert Douglas is just evil and unlikeable in the later version. In the lead role of Rudolph Stewart Granger is suave and certainly athletic but has an overwrought edge in tense scenes that could have used a more tongue-in-cheek flair. Ronald Colman is nothing short of brilliant in the earlier film in one of his signature roles. Perhaps the biggest gap of performance effectiveness is the actors in the role of Rupert of Hentzua. James Mason is a brilliant actor but seems miscast and too old for the role; his attempts at being a suave lady-killer are laughable. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is a complete joy in the '37 version. He is a laughing cavalier; certainly evil but a truly likeable rogue that we are happy to see escape in the end.
Overall, I enjoyed the 1952 film but it suffers in comparison the 1937 classic. Ronald Colman was such a unique star, so suave and romantic, that the memory of him in the lead role lingers forever. The cast was perfect, the black-and-white photography lush, and the musical score both rousing and touching in appropriate spots. See this version first and the '52 copy won't stand a chance. July 8, 2008

prisoner of zenda

Extremely good - both versions but Ronald Coleman the better actor. Only differences in the two films were the actors and costumes. Dialogue exactly the same - makes one wonder why second film was made at all when the first was so very good. However, to compare performances was interesting and amusing. May 30, 2008

The two finest versions of Anthony Hope's classic adventure on one disc

David O. Selznick's 1937 version of Anthony Hope's oft-filmed and equally as oft-imitated warhorse The Prisoner of Zenda is often hailed as the best of many versions, and it's certainly a classic example of the genius of the Hollywood system in the Golden Age. With the plot so familiar even then - as with Gone With the Wind, Selznick was warned that the film would be a disaster, the producer betting successfully that the impending coronation of King Edward VII of Great Britain would create public interest for the Ruritanian romantic adventure - much of the strength is in the pitch perfect casting. Ronald Colman is a perfect Rudolf Rassendyl, charming, heroic and decent against all odds, the perfect gentleman but with a likeable sense of self-deprecating wit that keeps him from being remote or stuffy, though those are qualities that work against him as the uncrowned king a distant family scandal has left him the identical double of: he's not bad in his second role, but Colman never really did dissolute. Madeleine Carroll is the perfect princess and Mary Astor makes the most of the meatier role as the villain's mistress trying to save him (and her own place by his side) from his ambition. Raymond Massey's sneering looks and Old Testament disdain ensured that he never had to overexert himself to make a convincing villain as the illegitimate "Black" Michael, and he glowers splendidly here, though Douglas Fairbanks Jr. never quite gets the chances from the screenplay that he needs to outshine him as the more charismatically dastardly Rupert of Hentzau, something that would be corrected in MGM's1952 version. C. Aubrey Smith and a young David Niven also make an impression on the side of the angels.

Of course, producer David O. Selznick was as much of a star as any of his cast - even though more than ably directed by John Cromwell (alongside an uncredited George Cukor, who shot the lovers' final farewell scene, and W.S. Van Dyke II, who shot the final duel), there's no doubt that Selznick is the true auteur here. It's lavishly produced, with no expense spared design by Lyle Wheeler (albeit largely limited to exteriors: Selznick never had much of a backlot) and some attention-grabbling camerawork from James Wong Howe such as the long crane shot down a magnificent ceremonial staircase to a waiting reception, never letting the attention flag en route to the grand duel between Colman and Fairbanks Jr. It's never quite a match for the very best of Errol Flynn's swashbucklers (though Flynn would have made a better King than a Rassendyl), but 70 years on it still holds up as grand entertainment.


MGM's 1952 version of The Prisoner of Zenda is often dismissed as a shot-for-shot remake with nothing added but Technicolor, but while it does often closely follow the blueprint of the excellent 1937 Ronald Colman version it also improves on the screenplay to a surprising degree thanks to Noel Langley's script polish while offering at least one better action sequence. Rupert of Hentzau always had the best lines, but with James Mason in the part, the role is considerably expanded to particularly good effect, with Mason making the most of the charismatic villainy even if there's some rather obvious stunt doubling for him in the final swordfight. There's even the addition of a second scene between Stewart Granger's player king and Mason's charmingly untrustworthy rogue as befits Mason's star status, with Mason winning on points despite having the more ridiculous hairstyle. Not that Granger is any slouch here himself, at the height of his powers in the dual lead role and even allowing the real king a bit more dignity than usual too (though look out for the moment where Granger inadvertently reveals he's a pipe man offscreen when he has to light a cigarette!). While Louis Calhern isn't quite up to C. Aubrey Smith in the original as Colonel Zapt, the always likeable Robert Coote outshines David Niven in the earlier film as Fritz and Deborah Kerr makes for an excellent leading lady. Tremendous entertainment.

Although it's a shame that the originally announced 1922 silent version is not included on the DVD, but it still makes a good package: the 1937 version also includes a radio adaptation, the cartoon `The Wayward Pups and short film `Penny Wisdomn' while the 1952 includesa James Fitzpatrick travelog `Land of theTaj Mahal,' the Oscar-winning Tom and Jerry cartoon Johann Mouse and the original theatrical trailer.
December 16, 2007

The Finest Elphberg of them All

Of all the great Hollywood swashbucklers the 1937 Prisoner of Zenda is the most sophisticated, the most adult - perhaps because it dares to have a downbeat ending. The hero and heroine are three-dimensional grown-ups in a way that Warner's Robin and Marion aren't - love them though I may.
And, one has to marvel at the cast Selznick assembled. There are seven memorable star turns here, all individually remarkable, and all playing together perfectly. Ronald Coleman's patented rueful romantic lead here is every bit as good as his Sydney Carton in Tale of Two Cities, just funnier. And Fairbanks Jr.'s turn as the smiling, scheming villain is still thrilling and just plain strange. Was he ever anywhere near as good?
Everything about this picture works beautifully- it holds up much better than creaky fare like Grand Hotel. I just wish the picture on this DVD were restored.
The 1952 version isn't as good, but is does serve up the irresistible plot well enough. Stewart Granger is actually quite good; he just doesn't have Coleman's depth. Other cast members are better actors than there predecessors (Deborah Kerr, James Mason); they're just not as perfect in their roles. The film retains the same script and the same gorgeous score as the earlier version. The only changes are that the climactic duel is much longer (clearly making extensive use of James Mason's double) and for some reason they left out the hero's rakish salute in the final shot.
September 25, 2007

Prisoner of Zenda - Two versions on one DVD

I love these classic tales, exhibiting the best and worst of human character, with action and romance at the core. Although I love Ronald Coleman in anything he did, my favorite is the Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, James Mason 1951 version because of the chemistry so apparent between Granger and Kerr. Other than that, the movies are almost interchangeable scene-for-scene. September 17, 2007

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