Ivanhoe

it is difficult to unlike this film. correct adaptation, good acting, romantic and seductive, it is a real delight. not only for story but for extraordinary cast. and, sure, for values of another time.it is not spectacular and, at first sigh, its ambitions are not great. but its fundamental virtue remains delicate beauty. the good translation of spirit of memorable novel. the flavor of love without any innovation. the brave hero and his sacrifice. James Mason and Olivia Hussey. the great Michael Hordern. and, first, the clear performance of Anthony Andrews.a kind of testimony about a form of art. pure and almost innocent. and a nice TV film. it is enough in search of walls against mediocrity.

Remake of the 1953 classic movie directed by Richard Thorpe with Robert Taylor , George Sanders , Joan Fontaine and Elizabeth Taylor . Good family fare with romance and great action scenes . TV film which proved to be notable success in this lively rendition about chivalry and knighthood in 1194 England. Knights battle each other and woo maidens on this chivalrous epic romance .This splendid version of Sir Walter Scott's classic epic tale starts in 12th century, when Saxon Knight Wilfrid of Ivanhoe (Anthony Andrews , in the classic version Robert Taylor), a suitable noble wielding a shield titled Desdichado, having fought for Richard the Lionhearted( Julian Glover) during the Crusades, goes back to England . Meanwhile the King Richard has been taken prisoner and asks help : 'To the people of England . I am here held captive by Leopold of Austria. My brother, prince John has knowledge of it, yet he has denied my ransom. One hundred and fifty thousand marks of silver. I fear he does conspire with certain Norman knights to seize my throne. People of England, speed my deliverance. Your kingdom is at stake'. In order to regain his freedom , Ivanhoe confronts Prince John (Ronald Pickup in the role of Guy Rolfe) and his lieutenants (in this case Sam Neill , John Rhys-Davies , Stuart Wilson) and he's also drawn to Jewish healer Rebecca (Olivia Hussey in the Elizabeth Taylor's character ), daughter of Isaac of York (James Mason in the role Felix Aylmer). Meantime , Ivanhoe woo maidens, as his childhood sweetheart , Saxon heiress Rowena (Lysette Anthony in the Joan Fontaine's role). Prince John, now John Lackland will stop at nothing to assume the throne , while waiting for King Richard to return from the Cruisades . Ivanhoe join forces with Robin Hood and his Merry man who attack the stronghold.

Sir Walter Scott's story of romance and chivalry in Medieval England is faithfully brought to life in this superb Telefilm in which Anthony Edwards stars as Ivanhoe who fights the evil Prince John and his hoodlums in an attempt to restore Richard Lion Heart -the Black Night- to the throne. This enjoyable film displays romance, chivalry, knighthood, daring jousting and lots of action with spectacular castle attack . The jousting , tournaments and other action sequences with a plethora of sword-fights involving maces, axes and chains are magnificently handled . The authentic battle images are among the most spectacular ever shot for television , as the siege of Torquillstone castle is a truly exciting sequence and the ending duel between the dastardly Bois-Guilbert excellently played by Sam Neill and Ivanhoe is impressive . This one proved notable hit as well as the original version . But this is more than just the habitual British TV spectacle , as the novel's issue of anti-semitism is deal with honestly in the person of Rebecca and Isaac Of Yok , very well played by Olivia Hussey and James Mason respectively, who are discriminated against , while unfortunate Rebecca is put on trial and condemned as witch to burning pole ; being suddenly saved by Ivanhoe . The film packs a glamorous and luminous cinematography by John Coquillon and evocative musical score by Ferguson. The picture is excellently handled by Douglas Camfield.

The film is partially based on true events. Although Ivanhoe didn't exist, John Lackland was king of England from 1199 to 1216. Few monarchs have been subject to such appalling publicity as John, Although by no means lovable, he was an able administrator and spent more time in England than his predecessor and elder brother Richard I but he was jailed by Leopold of Austria, returning from Crusades. Besides appears Robin Hood, also known Robin O'Locksley and the Earl of Huntingdom, is probably and sadly a creation of romantic imaginations. If Robin Hood did exist, it's almost certain that he was not a Saxon , though his enemies may well have been the Norman sheriff of Nottinghan and Prince and later king John Lackland.

Courage, revenge, love, combat, victory, honor, defense, reconciliation...those ideals deeply hidden within the human spirit have long been considered precious targets of human life. Not only poetry and literature but also epic movies attempted to promote the virtues and depict humanity in the spirit of reason and heart. The question was: historical time. In this respect, there was, perhaps, no better period in history than the 1,000 year-long Middle Ages, both controversial and spiritual with a flair for darkness and exceptional enlightenment. Among many other epic movies that depict the period is IVANHOE based on Sir Walter Scott's novel being at the same time a remake of the 1952 classic Hollywood production.

Keeping in mind that remakes usually face high expectations in case of their classic "predecessors", I watched this movie without much referring to the older version and that is how I intend to comment on it underneath.

Let me say at the beginning that IVANHOE by Douglas Camfield is a very good movie at multiple levels. It makes a perfect use of historical material supplying us with a clear and pretty accurate insight into Medieval England, and, more specifically, its late 12th century situation with savage conflicts, difficult political situation, Anglo-Saxons vs Normans relations, prejudice as well as those visual aspects like costumes, feasts and baths. In this respect, the movie may constitute for a viewer a wonderful journey into those distant times and bring out some pearls out of prefabricated negative opinions about the Middle Ages. There was, indeed, something good about the period, too. The aspect of interest highlighted in this case appears to be Ashbey sequence where the savage combines with the glamorous or the deep psychology and morals of characters expressed in many scenes throughout. Here, it seems necessary to mention Lady Rowena (Lysette Anthony) and Rebecca (Olivia Hussey), two women of different backgrounds who face similar emotions.

Besides, IVANHOE can boast very good cinematography, wonderful shots, stunning locations. Consider, for instance, the subtle images at the scene when Ivanhoe visits Lady Rowena at her castle with Wamba (George Innes). The extraordinary locations and interesting shots make the film not only a historical work but also a rousing adventure. Moreover, to these artistic features, I would add a very accurate sense of humor (consider the scene of a bath or Wamba's Pax Vobiscum) and subtle musical score. The tunes are filled with the spirit of chivalry and the spirit of romance which, alone, can resemble the very essence of the story. But, the core of art is acting.

The movie known for a number of famous and talented cast could be falsely assessed as a vehicle. Yet, it does not have to be a "promotion" for anybody. To the contrary, it is a film that proves the importance of talent first and foremost. All the cast take great pains to give something truly great of themselves. Anthony Andrews is a perfect Ivanhoe as described by Sir Scott and as imagined by modern viewers. He clearly portrays a character of courage, nobility and gentleness. Sam Neill and John Rhys Davies appear to give powerful performances as "Norman dogs" people not so much afraid for the good but rather absorbed by savage brutality. James Mason does a fine job as calm, good Jew, Isaac of York, whose destiny appears to have brought more wounds than cure. The female roles are brilliant. Here, however, I would not praise that much Lysette Anthony: I admit she is beautiful, she gives a memorable performance. Yet, the absolute top notch is Olivia Hussey, the famous heroine at Zeffirelli's appears here as a gentle, subtle, beautiful Jewess whose "individually formed spirituality" conquers "externally organized morality" of many "pious men of God." She gives a brilliant performance as a flower of peace fearfully surrounded by the thorn of war and the light of tolerance surrounded by the darkness of prejudice. Absolutely great role! Consider, among many, the scenes depicting the trial.

In the end, if you see this IVANHOE, do not compare it with the older version. These are two different films focusing on different aspects. If someone insists on me to say which one is better, I'd rather say both are good films. Thorpe's IVANHOE is a typical epic of the classic Hollywood era while Camfield's IVANHOE stands out on its own as a movie filled with remarkable psychology and adventure. Great tribute to the real Courage and the Chivalrous Spirit!

Although the romance and derring do of medieval chivalry is best expressed in the famous MGM big screen version of Ivanhoe that starred Robert Taylor, this made for British TV Ivanhoe stays far more accurately to what Sir Walter Scott wrote. There are even characters that the MGM film eliminated from the story that are present here.

Anthony Andrews plays the hero Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe in this version and he's a knight who takes his vows quite seriously. That means help and aid to the weak and oppressed and Jews in medieval England were among the most oppressed. Although his heart is set on the Saxon princess Rowena played by Lysette Anthony, he gets a stirring for the medieval Jewish princess Rebecca as played here by Olivia Hussey.

But the one who's really crushing out on her big time is Sam Neill playing Brian Bois Guilbert a knight of the Templar order and the Templars are trying to topple Richard the Lion Heart from the throne and put Prince John on it. Sad for the years of his reign for the people of England they got a King John after the action of this film is over. As a Norman he and Andrews just don't like each other on general principles. Put in the romantic angle and even those who never read the book know that Andrews and Neill will be duking it out with lance and spear at the climax.

The Robert Taylor classic never covered the Templars and hence the anti-Semitism was muted. Here it bursts forth in full flower and the Templars who pronounce Hussey a witch are sure no knight who takes any Christian vows will champion an infidel.

By dint of his star power James Mason who plays Rebecca's father Isaac of York gets top billing. Mason is effective and the part is built up somewhat.

I do love Robert Taylor's Ivanhoe, one of my favorite of his films. But this version is one good Cliff's Notes version of the story.

I guess all countries have a few strange traditions and this film is connected to one of ours in Sweden. Every New Year´s Day the last twenty years public service television have showned this movie in the afternoon, the perfect time for dragging yourself up, buying a pizza and maybe forget your extreme hangover for a while. Everyone knows the film inside out but are still watching it year after year; fills in on every funny line (like when de Boeuf shouts "Striiip him!"), laughs once again over great characters like Athelstone and Tuck and gets annoyed over how Ivanhoe can choose the boring Lady Rowena before foxy Olivia Hussey. I can´t really say anymore if it´s a good movie or not but I guess it´s perfect for a day after...