kyle_furr

(2013-05-24 22:08:43)

excellent

This movie stars Ronald Colman in a duel role as a Englishman whojustarrived in a Europeancountry just to relax and fish. He runs into someguards who are amazed at how much he looks like the guy who is about to benamed king. Colman and the future king get really drunk and when colmanpasses out, the future king drinks some drugged wine and is knocked out forseveral hours so he can't be named king. So Colman has to take his place butthey find out that his brother, Raymond Massey, has kidnapped the kingbecause he wants to be king. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is on Massey's side butreally only cares about himself. David Niven and Mary Astor also star andyou can find out about the plot when you watch it.

LdyMistE

(2013-05-24 12:05:41)

Great entertaining black&white movie

This movie was really entertaining and well shot for such a oldie. There islove, mystery, honor, humor and a good plot. Every one plays a very goodrole and even Douglas Fairbanks Jr. plays a " you almost have to like him"kind of villain. Ronald Coleman is endearing and romantic and sexy as theEnglishman. David Niven is grand also. The woman tend to overdramitize, buteven so, they are wonderful in their roles. I would highly recommend thismovie to those who enjoy a good black & white oldie movie!,Ellen

(2013-05-22 23:49:55)

Ronald Coleman and Stewart Granger play the prisoner and his look-alike cousin.

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) Ronald Coleman stars in a role well suited to him. Very fine supporting cast, especially Doug Fairbanks Jr and Raymond Massey.Stewart Granger film is virtual remake, but in color. James Mason is outstanding.

(2013-05-22 02:08:25)

1937 Ronald Colman Version

They don't make movies like this anymore."The Prisoner of Zenda" stars Ronald Colman as Rudolph Rassendyll. Mr. Colman was one of the few movie actors to survive the transition to sound. While many of his peers were found to have horrible speaking voice, Mr. Colman was blessed by the God. His cultivated English accent is a joy to hear. But I digress.An English gentleman, Rudolph Rassendyll visits the country of Ruritania. Initially he is confused by the stares of the natives. He finds out why after meeting two loyal retainers of Crown Prince Rudolph, Captain von Tarlenheim (David Niven) and Colonel Zapt. Mr. Rassendyll bears an extraordinary resemblance to the Crown Prince Rudolph. Some generations before, a future King of Ruritania had an affair with the wife of an English Lord. Once a generation, the Elphberg face had popped up in the Rassendyll line.The political situation in Ruritania is precarious. While Rudolph is to become King the next day, he has an older brother, Michael. Due to a legal technicality, Rudolph has precedence to the throne. However, Rudolph is viewed as a drunk and a wastrel by many of the subjects. In some quarters Black Michael is more popular than Rudolph. Prince Rudolph is drugged to ensure he doesn't make his coronation. A Crown Prince too drunk to make his own coronation will never be King. At this point the movie really begins. Mr. Rassendyll is persuaded (by Colonel Zapt) to replace his cousin at the coronation. The forces of Black Michael led by right hand man, Count Rupert of Hentzau (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) kidnap the drugged King as Rudolph is crowned. The maneuvering and intrigues by both sides are involved and complex. The story is fast-paced and engaging. There isn't a weak performance by any of the actors. These are great professionals having the time of their lives. The good guys are heroic. The bad guys are oily and nefarious. The women are passionate and loyal.Douglas Fairbanks gives a stand-out performance as Count Rupert. His Count Rupert is a charming sociopath so smooth he'd be your best friend right up to the point he stuck a knife in your ribs with a smile on his face. Like his father Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. does his own stunts. The man was a superb athlete. He had considerable acting skills to match his eye-hand coordination.Errol who?This is a movie about duty, loyalty and obligation. It's about doing the right thing even though it will cost you dearly. You don't see that much in movies anymore. On top of this, it is still excellent entertainment.

krorie

(2013-05-22 02:13:48)

The best screen version of Anthony Hope's novel

Of the at least eight film versions of Anthony Hope's famous novel,this is the best. There is a fairly decent silent version starringRamon Navarro and a flashier 1950's version with Stewart Granger butthis one leads the pack as the most entertaining and the best directed.Dashing Douglas Fairbanks Jr. always in the shadow of his famous fathergives the role of Rupert all he's got and that's a lot. He steals everyscene he's in, even from the likes of Ronald Coleman and RaymondMassey. He gives treachery and deceit not to mention opportunism newmeanings in his double dealings. Few today have even heard of Junior,though most movie buffs have heard of his father silent star DouglasFairbanks and step mother for a time Mary Pickford. Senior divorcedJunior's mother to marry Pickford. Junior gave other outstandingperformances on the big screen especially in "Gunga Din" in 1939opposite Cary Grant and Victor McLaglen. He went on to have a populartelevision show in the early days of that medium "Douglas Fairbanks,Jr., Presents." He gradually retired from films. Sadly when he passedaway in the year 2000 very few knew who he was. Ronald Coleman gets to play two parts Maj. Rudolf Rassendyll and KingRudolf V, two lookalike cousins from a family indiscretion severalgenerations back. He does so admirably. Though Madeleine Carroll asPrincess Flavia who loves one cousin but is tied to the other out ofduty and patriotism is a hard act to follow as always, Mary Astor givesher a good run for the money as Black Michael's (Raymond Massey)ladylove. The two ladies counterbalance each other well as stand by yourman women but for different reasons. The always underrated andunder-appreciated actor Raymond Massey makes the character of Michaelcome alive with jealousy and vainglory but with true love in his heartfor his Antoinette. The grand old man of early cinema C. Aubrey Smithis around to make sure all is done correctly according to pomp andcircumstance. David Niven in an early screen role gives his portrayalof Capt. Fritz Von Tarlenheim the easy touch, almost tongue in cheek attimes, which lightens the heavy load for the viewers. He is a goodcounterbalance for the dour C. Aubrey Smith. Silent screen veteranactor Montagu Love is present to show them all how it's done. What atroupe of Thespians to savor!John Cromwell directs with flair and makes the film move at a fast paceespecially near the end. The action sequence when the castle is stormedfollowing the lowering of the draw bridge is intense. The rapier fightbetween Coleman and Fairbanks is still exciting to watch. The crispblack and white photography makes one forget that the film is not incolor. For excitement, adventure, and romance by all means see the 1937version of "The Prisoner of Zenda."

(2013-05-21 09:00:33)

Great Show

My Mom and I love this movie. It is great to see people acting the way they should instead of just out of love or infatuation. Duty is important. Responsibility is to be considered even when you are in love. Thanks for a great movie. The movies are identical in dialog. Only the actors and color is different. Both are fun to watch.

Humphrey Fish

(2013-05-21 01:44:39)

The Best Prisoner Of Zenda Movie Ever Made!

My sister read the book and really enjoyed it, and so she decided tosee this movie version of it, and so I decided to join here on watchingit, and I can say that this movie is really a great time! This film inmy opinion is perhaps the best version of the Prisoner of Zenda evermade! Because all of the cast in this movie was perfectly cast, therecould not have been anyone better than the ones in this movie, becausethey were just so fabulous! I think that this is a movie that reallyrequires viewing, because I have heard about many other versions of thePrisoner of Zenda and this is probably the best Prisoner of Zenda movieever made! I think that Anthony Hope would really have loved this movieif he saw it, because he would really have been astounded! This movieis not the greatest movie ever made, but I still really enjoyed it andI can say that it is a favorite of mine!Though I really believe that this movie deserves a ten star rating,there is something that me and my sister don't have in common aboutthis film. I mean to say that I really like this movie, but I am not ascrazy about it as my sister is, not long after she saw it, she wantedto watch it a second time, and as for me, I didn't want to bedisrespectful or anything, so I went ahead and watched the movie again,I really like this movie, but I don't like it as much as my sisterdoes.But despite that, this movie is a film that really requires viewing,you are really going to be enjoying this film, and you are alsoprobably going to be cheering all throughout the film, from thebeginning to the end, you will enjoy this!10/10

(2013-05-20 22:01:43)

Excellent old movie,

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) Ronald Coleman movies are worth the effort of trying to find them. I watched the Stewart Granger one but it does not compare

(2013-05-19 12:58:58)

prisoner of zenda

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) Classic story and film,though somewhat dated still alot of fun. Doug Fairbanks Jr. and Ronald Coleman in the '37 version are perfect in their roles ably supported by C. Aubrey Smith and David Niven. Stewart Granger and James Mason in the '52 version are quite good and so is Louis Calhern but the production even though in stunning technicolor lacks the spirit and magic of the '37. Jane Greer ['52] is always a looker.

(2013-05-19 03:03:50)

2 in 1

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) I like the movie but never realized that the 1937 and the 1952 are so similar as to have the same dialoge and directing.

Fraucoach

(2013-05-17 17:05:55)

Douglas Fairbanks Sr. may have invented film swashbuckling, but Junior makes it his own in this one!

One of my all-time favorites. I watched it again a few nights ago.Fairbanks is a marvel. Princess Flavia's dilemma at the end alwaysreminds me a little bit of Elsa Laslo's dilemma in "Casablanca."(Although Madeleine Carroll's acting seems highly stylized today.) Thebest part of that scene is the scenery--the lighting and the window'sarch as it frames the two lovers. It's achingly beautiful. If I had aroom like that I would never leave it. But the film as a whole is not athree-hanky affair--it's got swashbuckling, snappy dialog and lots ofold movie conventions. (C. Aubrey Smith is an old movie convention inhimself.) I definitely keep coming back to it to watch Fairbanks asRupert of Hentzau.

(2013-05-17 09:07:40)

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.

(2013-05-16 10:42:51)

Classic film from Classic era

The Prisoner of Zenda boasts an all star cast with Ronald Coleman, Madeline Carroll, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Mary Astor, Raymond Massey, David Niven, and C. Aubrey Smith. It was based on the 1894 Anthony Hope novel of the same name. Previous films include Edwin Porter's 1913 version and the 1922 version with Ramon Navarro.The film appeared in 1937 as there was considerable interest in royalty and coronations due to the abdication of Edward VIII and the ascendency to the throne of King George VI of England.Handsome Ronald Coleman (1891-1958) has a dual part as an Englishman and the King Apparent of a small European country. Coleman was a silent film actor whose rich, melodious voice propelled him to stardom when talkies came out. He was Oscar nominated for two films in one year - 1929 ("Bulldog Drummond" and Condemned"), and again in 1942 ("Random Harvest") and finally won in 1947 ("A Double Life"), for which he also won the Golden Globe. FWIW - Coleman also appeared in "A Tale of Two Cities" in which mistaken identity also played a major plot point.Beautiful Madeline Carroll (1906-87) plays Coleman's love interest. She is best known for her films with Hitchcock ("The 39 Steps", "Secret Agent") which won her a contract in the U.S. making films like "Northwest Mounted Police" (1940) and "Safari" (1940). Later in life she claimed this was her favorite role.The great Raymond Massey (1896-1983) plays the evil Black Michael, Coleman's brother who wants the throne for himself. Massey is best remembered for his roles as Lincoln in "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940), "The Day Lincoln was Shot" (1950) and "How the West Was Won" (1962). On TV he played Dr. Gillespie in the series "Dr Kildare" (1961-5). He made nearly 100 films. I remember him best for his over the top portrayal of John Brown in "Santa Fe Trail" (1940). Prior to playing Lincoln, most of his roles were villainous (e.g., Philip of Spain in "Fire Over England", Prince Ghul in "The Drum"), as he is here, and his great performances are why.FWIW - Massey originally had problems playing Black Michael and sought advice from C. Aubrey Smith who told him that everyone has problems playing Black Michael. With that Massey relaxed and went on to give a great performance.David Niven (1910-83) plays an ally of Coleman. Niven won an Oscar for "Separate Tables" (1959) and a Golden Globe for "The Moon is Blue" (1953), but he's probably best known for his role as Phileas Fogg in "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956).FWIW - Massey and Niven died on the same day - July 29, 1983.Mary Astor (1906-1987) is in love with Massey but having an affair with Fairbanks. Astor is best remembered as Mrs. O'Shaughnessy from "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), although she won the Oscar for her role in "The Great Lie" which appeared the same year and is now mostly forgotten. Astor made more than 100 films from 1921 to 1964 ("Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte") and was a major star in the silent era. Astor does her usual good job. C. Aubrey Smith (1863-1948) plays Colonel Zapt, an ally of Coleman. Smith was a great actor known for his roles as an aristocrat. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1915 to 1949. He gave us memorable roles in a host of films, including Major Hamilton in "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" (1935) and Lord Capulet in "Romeo and Juliet" (1936). I remember him best as Col. Williams in "Wee Willie Winkie" (1937) with Shirley Temple. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (1909-2000) plays Rupert, an ally of Massey. Fairbanks' father had been one of the top stars of the silent era ("Robin Hood", "Mask of Zorro", "Thief of Bagdad" etc.) so Junior began working early. He claimed - "I never tried to emulate my father. Anyone trying to do that would be a second-rate carbon copy."He did a lot of relatively undistinguished work in nearly 100 films, but he is absolutely charming in this film as he would be in 1939's "Gunga Din".FWIW - Fairbanks wanted the Coleman role, but when he was turned down for it, his father urged him to take the role of Rupert, which was by far a better role although it meant Fairbanks would be billed third. Fairbanks Sr. said "Rupert of Hentzau is probably one of the best villains ever written. He is witty, irresistible, and as sly as Iago... Nobody has ever played Rupert and failed to steal the show, on either stage or screen. It is so actor-proof, in fact, that Rin Tin Tin could play the part and walk away with it! C. Aubrey Smith told him "I have played every part in this drama except Lady Flavia, and I can tell you that nobody ever damaged their career by playing Rupert of Hentzau."John Cromwell (1887-1979) was the original director. He had problems with nearly all the actors, especially the men, and eventually producer Selznick called in Woody van Dyke and George Cukor. Cromwell made nearly 50 films from 1929 to 1961, but he was particularly busy in the 30s when he made "Tom Sawyer" (1930), "Of Human Bondage" (1934), and "The Adventures of Marco Polo" (1938). When not directing he was a busy actor, especially on Broadway where he won a Tony in 1952 for "Point of No Return".Woody van Dyke (1889-1943) directed the action sequences which feature a very impressive dueling scene at the end. He is best known for his "Thin Man" films, for which he received an Oscar nomination in 1935. He also received a nomination for "San Francisco" (1936) and directed Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Macdonald in 6 of their films. Van Dyke enjoyed exotic locations and made such films as "Heart of the Yukon" (1927), "White Shadows in the South Seas" (1928), "Eskimo" (1933), "Northwest Passage" (1940) and "Cairo" (1942). Music is by Alfred Newman. Newman received his first Oscar nomination for this film and was nominated more than 30 more times and won 9 times ("Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Tin Pan Alley", "Song of Bernadette", "Mother Wore Tights", "With a Song in My Heart", "Call me Madam", "Love is a Many Splendid Thing", "The King and I", and "Camelot"). Newman also scored the 1952 version of this film.Cinematography is by James Wong Howe (1899-1976). Howe was nominated for an Oscar 10 times with 2 wins ("Hud" and "The Rose Tatoo"). The split screen in which Coleman talks to himself has the added bonus of making it appear that Coleman actually shakes hands with himself. It is so well done the NY Times critic thought that a double was used.1937 was a pretty meager year in films. The top grossing films were "Snow White", "Saratoga", "One Hundred Men and a Girl", "Topper", and "Wee Willie Winkie". The Oscars went to "The Life of Emile Zola" (Picture), "The Awful Truth" (Director), "The Good Earth" (Actress) and "Captains Courageous" (Actor). Other notable releases that year were "Dead End", "The Prince and the Pauper", the Marx Brothers "A Day at the Races", and "A Star is Born". Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland made their first film together ("Thoroughbreds Don't Cry") and 17 year old Lana Turner appeared in "They Won't Forget" and became "the Sweater girl". Clark Gable and Myrna Loy were voted the King and Queen of Hollywood.The film was redone in 1952 with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr and as a comedy in 1979 with Peter Sellers.Other films about dual identities include James Whales' "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1939) with Louis Hayward in the dual role, "A Tale of Two Cities" (1935) with Ronald Coleman as Sydney Carlton and Donald Woods as Charles Darnay, and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1937) with Billy and Bobby Mauch playing the dual role. The Prince and the Pauper is from the 1881 Mark Twain novel, A Tale of Two Cities is from Dickens' 1859 novel, and The Man in the Iron Mask comes from the 1848 Alexander Dumas novel although it was earlier included in a 1771 article by Voltaire.This is a classic film from the classic Hollywood era, with so many excellent actors it's amazing the film isn't seen more often.

charles-pope

(2013-05-16 04:38:36)

Anthony Hope

John Cromwell's direction sparks this entry into " The Prisoner ofZenda" This film redone by MGM with James Mason as Black Michael and incolour( Color)This version has more wit and sweep even though its in black and white.For sure the screenwriters and Cromwell made Doug Fairbanks Jr intomore of a rascal than a criminal and of course he escaped in the finalreel. I like Coleman and Carroll in their leading roles as well as C A.Smith and Niven as the co conspirators Raymond Massey looks like he is uncomfortable with his lines and wouldrather be doing Hamlet Nevertheless this is the best version and itstill has legs and looks more Gothic than the MGM Vehicle which issaturated in colors and may cause headaches after the first reelC Pope

(2013-05-15 06:02:48)

A great value, 2 for 1

Both version of this costume drama are good. The 1937 version is the better of the two with Ronald Coleman against the evil Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. This well made is excellent from cast through production. The 1952 version is also very good on its own, but will fade in comparison to the previous one. The production is very good, but it is basically a scene for scene remake of the 1937 film.

wes-connors

(2013-05-14 16:28:28)

Ronald Colman duels Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

"He has the appearance and manner of the king, yet he's really alookalike… and on his shoulders rests all hope of foiling ablackguard's plot to usurp the throne. Adventure, pageantry and royalintrigue are forged at sword point in the two finest screen versions ofthe beloved 1894 novel filmed many times," according to the Warner HomeVideo release, "Ronald Colman plays the double role in the resilient1937 David O. Selznick production (Side A), making palpable theheartbreak of the royal stand-in whose gallantry is tested by his lovefor the real king's fiancée (Madeleine Carroll). Stewart Granger starsin the eye-filling 1952 color version (Side B), romancing Deborah Kerrand wielding bold steel in the film's bravura climactic duel." Thanks to whoever at Warner/Turner decided to release these twoversions of "The Prisoner of Zenda" together. Considering the waythings are usually handled in Hollywood, the obvious has becomeinspired. Adding extra movies, for less than the price of two (ormore), also encourages sales. They could have added "The Prisoner ofZenda" (1922) for even better measure, assuming the three "Metro"features are owned by Warner Bros. Of the two available here, the 1937"black-and-white" version wins the sword fight, though the 1952 colorversion is inoffensive and beautifully photographed (by JosephRuttenberg).Examined together, the three films support the widely held belief thatthe more villainous role in a drama is often the one to act. In thiscase, observe how the character "Rupert of Hentzau" supports thisthesis. In the 1927 version, the role made Ramon Novarro a star. In the1937 and 1952 versions, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and James Mason arealways above or equal to anyone else in the cast. The fact that Mr.Colman can his own against Mr. Fairbanks helps make their version aclassic. Lewis Stone appears in two versions, and Louis Calhern playedthe lead on stage. In each case, "The Prisoner of Zenda" is anattractive production.******** The Prisoner of Zenda (9/2/37) John Cromwell ~ Ronald Colman,Madeleine Carroll, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., C. Aubrey Smith

(2013-05-13 21:35:21)

I just love old movies

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) I had never seen the Ronald Coleman version. Frankly, I thought he looked too old but his acting and presence made up for it. Madeline Carroll on the other hand was exquisite in her role. Regarding the younger version with Granger and crew - I don't deny I enjoy a Stewart Granger film and the sword play between Granger and Mason was superior. It is a classic tale of doing it right. Rupert of HentzauIf you enjoy either movie you should read the book by the same title and the sequel Rupert of Hentzau by Anthony Pope. I would have hoped someone would have made that into a movie or maybe it was viewed as more of the same.

(2013-05-13 04:40:13)

One Star off for the copy

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 version) is of course a great film. Everything about it is perfect -- I particularly love the fact that C. Aubrey Smith gets a big meaty part for a change and makes the most of it. Raymond Massey, Doug Fairbanks, and Mary Astor overact all over the place. Madeleine Carroll is sweet. You can just wallow in this film, everyone being noble, or truly evil, there's a trapdoor into the dark water below the castle, and great love and fight scenes. What more do you want from a film? And of course anything Ronald Colman is in is worth seeing: he has this on screen sensitivity that just radiates gentlemanly charm. But as another reviewer notes, the version on the DVD is not very good -- it is a grainy copy, not terrrible, but not from the original master. Perhaps that has disappeared? The later film is a waste of time (also a waste of Deborah Kerr), except that James Mason is delightfully creepy and having a great time (Doug Fairbanks is just devil-may-care), and the swordfight is quite fantastic. The swordfight is the only thing that is different from the earlier film: it is hard to believe, but it is true, the second film is otherwise exactly the same script and virtually shot-by-shot (the same horsemen fall off the drawbridge, etc.). Why would anyone do such a thing? And Stewart Grainger is (was) something stuck in the 1950s: he is sort of like a 1957 Chevy, all chrome with big hair. One last little bonus for true film buffs is that Jane Greer appears -- she made so few films that it is a pleasure to suddenly see her in this thing.It is a curious phenomenon, but now the black and white makes the first film work in a different way than when it was originally released: it makes the whole thing feel like something a little antique and Eastern European before World War I (which is of course the point of Strelsau, etc.). It makes it much easier to go into that little world than the colour version, which is shiny and technicolourish and actually a lot like Lichtenberg in Call Me Madam (I kept expecting Ethel Merman to make an entrance). They should have coupled the 1937 with the 1922 silent film instead.

(2013-05-10 02:57:34)

academy award winner

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) This movie won the oscar in 1937. It is still great to watch, especially if you are into old movies. Highly recommended.

(2013-05-09 07:36:10)

Gift for dad

This review is from: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions) (DVD) I gave this as a gift, so I didn't use it, but it looked fine when it arrived and came on time.