The marvelous romantic adventure THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (1952) has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.This was at least the third filming of the famous based on the Anthony Hope novel, in which Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll (Stewart Granger) is recruited to temporarily take the place of his cousin King Rudolf V (also Granger) after the King is drugged and kidnapped as part of a plot by the King's half-brother Michael (Robert Douglas) to take the throne.
There was a silent version in 1922, which is delightfully included as an extra on this Blu-ray, and there was also a much-loved edition starring Ronald Colman and produced by David O. Selznick in 1937.
That said, perhaps the first version one sees becomes one's favorite, as I fell in love with this 1952 MGM remake when I saw it in 2008.
It's such a faithful re-filming of the story that MGM even arranged to use Alfred Newman's Oscar-nominated 1937 score, with cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg emulating some of James Wong Howe's camera angles from the earlier version.
I didn't know any of that the first time I saw it and was swept away by the marvelous cast and story, and returning to the movie now I feel the same way. This is simply a wonderful film which I love, remake or not.
Deborah Kerr is a lovely Princess Flavia, the King's fiancee, her eyes shining as she discovers she unexpectedly loves the man she is to marry. This was a reunion for Kerr and Granger, who previously costarred in KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1950), and they are again very nicely paired.
And while I firmly believe Douglas Fairbanks Jr. should have been Oscar-nominated for his portrayal of Rupert of Hentzau in 1937, James Mason is perfectly fun and enjoyable in this edition. Mason was perfect for the role.
In a lovely touch, the Cardinal is played by Lewis Stone, who had starred in the silent version three decades previously.
This film is grand fun and a very fast-paced 96 minutes which I find thoroughly delightful. Everyone in the cast is at the top of their games, and the gorgeous color, beautiful costumes (by Walter Plunkett), and exciting climactic duel add to the viewing pleasure.
Richard Thorpe directed from a screenplay by John L. Balderston (who worked on the 1937 edition) and Noel Langley, from an adaptation by Wells Root. Additional dialogue was by Donald Ogden Stewart. Both Root and Stewart also worked on the '37 version.
As mentioned previously, the extras include the 1922 silent version starring Lewis Stone, Ramon Navarro, and Alice Terry. The Blu-ray also includes a couple additional treats, the hour-long 1939 Lux Radio Theater production starring Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Benita Hume (Colman), along with Colman and Hume reprising their roles in a shorter 30-minute Screen Directors Playhouse (1949) radio production a decade later. The trailer is also included.
Both this film and disc are very much recommended.
Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.
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Wanted to watch this original on standard dvd. My disc has rotted away. So many WB titles have rotted and are unplayable. Someone needs to do a story on this issue and how WB is handling it. I have 85 rotted discs. Expensive for a retiree to replace with blu rays.
ReplyDeleteI'm aware that, at least in the past, Warner had a replacement program for some of the rotted DVDs, which to my understanding were all produced in Mexico in roughly a two-year time frame roughly 20 years ago. I've come across information on that in the past - you may want to try Googling and see if you can find the contact email and hopefully get a response.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Laura