In his return from the crusades king Richard of England is captured and held for ransom by Austrian king Leopold. His loyal knight Wifred of Ivanhoe tries to collect the amount for his liberation but Prince John (Richard's brother) sits now in the throne and will do anything to stay there with the aid of some Normand knights.
This is a real good action and adventure medieval film with knights, maidens, castles, tournaments, battles, duels and else. Richard Thorpe direction is excellent (perhaps his best work ever); you'll find also good color photography, well made settings and an interesting plot. Costumes and armours -though perhaps too "hollywoodish" perfect- are also a plus.
Robert Taylor (Ivanhoe) was in his peak and does well as the reliable and faithful knight who fights for his captive king. George Sanders is very well casted as Brian de Bois Gilbert the Templar warrior-monk that would give up his honor for the love of the Jewish maiden Rebbeca (Elizabeth Taylor) but will rather see her death when he is rejected. Joan Fontaine is Lady Rowena Ivanhoe's bride. The rest of the cast includes some all time favourites as Felix Aylmer (Rebbeca's father), Finlay Currie (Cedric the Saxon), Robert Douglas (as Sanders's sidekick Sir Hugh de Bracy) and in a typical role for him Guy Rolfe as the treacherous and ambitious Prince John (this guy was born to play villains).
The tournament in which Ivanhoe challenges the five top Saxon knights and the assault on Front de Beuf's castle by Robin of Locksley and his men are very well achieved action scenes and even more if you consider it was the early 50's. And the final duel between Taylor and Sanders is a great climax for the film (notice they chose war axe and iron ball and chain instead of the usual swords).
A most enjoyable film in its genre.
