The Prisoner of Zenda

Director: Rex Ingram Rex Ingram

Overview

Lewis Stone stars in a double role in this romantic costume adventure drama. Rudolf Rassenyll is a British vacationer in the mythical country of Ruritania. He is a dead ringer for Rudolf, the drunken monarch awaiting his coronation. His evil brother Rupert of Hentzau (Ramon Novarro) drugs the king, but the British look-alike replaces him on the throne to thwart a coup attempt. Black Michael (Stuart Holmes) discovers the switch and kidnaps the real king, holding him prisoner in the dungeon of Zenda. Rudolf rescues the captive monarch with the help of Princess Flavia (Alice Terry) and wins the heart of the grateful damsel. Robert Edelson, Barbara LaMarr, Stuart Holmes, and Malcolm McGregor also appear with Lois Lee and Edward Connelly in this silent classic. Screen heartthrob Ramon Novarro was still using the last name of Samaniegos at the time of the film. This was his film debut, and the handsome leading man would later rival Rudolph Valentino in popularity.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/21/2010
UPC:	0883316276631
Original Release:	1922
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	49,583

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Lewis Stone	Rassendyll/King Rudolf
Alice Terry	Princess Flavia
Robert Edeson	Col. Sapt
Stuart Holmes	Black Michael
Ramon Samaniegos	Rupert
Barbara La Marr	Antoinette
Malcolm McGregor	Von Tarlenheim
Edward Connelly	Von Strakencz
Lois Lee	Countess Helga
John George	Actor
Snitz Edwards	Actor

Technical Credits

Mary O'Hara

Rex Ingram	Director,Producer
Mary O'Hara	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The Prisoner of Zenda is remembered for its rich, lush production values, and the efficient work of director Rex Ingram. Among the silent era's most handsome motion pictures, this was the third and best filming of Anthony Hope's popular novel within a ten year period. Ramon Novarro, playing the villainous Count Rupert, gets top billing over the dual-role hero Lewis Stone and leading lady Alice Terry. All give strong performances, particularly Terry, who was married at the time to Ingram. The film's major flaw is a lack of visual style. Nonetheless, the strength of the story and quality of production more than carry the film. Despite several popular, big box-office sound-era versions of The Prisoner of Zenda, Hope's sequel novel, Rupert of Hentzau, has been filmed only twice, most recently as the follow-up to this 1922 effort. Both sequels were considerably less successful than the original efforts.