The Prisoner of Zenda

Great! Beautiful settings and costumes--all the actors, from the stars to the villains to the supporting actors, are wonderful--and there's a thrilling swordfight to boot. It's pretty faithful to the book in most ways, too.

Basically a direct remake of The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), with the added attraction of Technicolor! And it sure was stunning seeing Stewart Granger & Deborah Kerr in all that style and splendor. However, I'd say the '37 version is still the best adaptation of Anthony Hope's novel, but it's close. Very close.

Two decades after their first adaptation of Anthony Hope's swashbuckling novel, MGM remake it in Technicolor using exactly the same screenplay. It's not quite as good, but it's stilla fine version. Granger was the swashbuckling star of the moment having starred in adaptations of "King Solomon's Mines" and "Scaramouche", and he's fine in the double role. Mason is the real star playing a villain seemingly trying his best to betray ever other character in the film.

The introduction to this swashbuckler is so timid that the characters look like they're fighting to stay awake while they deliver their lines. Kerr and Mason are the only ones who aren't sleepwalking through their roles. There's a decent sword fight at the end, but that's about the only high point.

A well made version of the oft filmed story. This color version of the story looks good, but it lacks the fun and flair that made the 1937 version so great, well that and the performances which in the 1937 version was stellar, this version everything is more restrained and comes across lacking depth and feeling. I just don't feel the leads really care and love each other.

Watchable remake. Granger and Kerr are good together.