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The Prisoner of Zenda

  • 1922
  • Passed
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
593
YOUR RATING
Lewis Stone in The Prisoner of Zenda (1922)
SwashbucklerAdventureRomance

When the king is drugged and abducted by his ambitious brother, a lookalike relative must take his place to keep the evil sibling off the throne.When the king is drugged and abducted by his ambitious brother, a lookalike relative must take his place to keep the evil sibling off the throne.When the king is drugged and abducted by his ambitious brother, a lookalike relative must take his place to keep the evil sibling off the throne.

  • Director
    • Rex Ingram
  • Writers
    • Anthony Hope
    • Mary O'Hara
    • Edward Rose
  • Stars
    • Lewis Stone
    • Alice Terry
    • Robert Edeson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    593
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rex Ingram
    • Writers
      • Anthony Hope
      • Mary O'Hara
      • Edward Rose
    • Stars
      • Lewis Stone
      • Alice Terry
      • Robert Edeson
    • 18User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos16

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    Top cast20

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    Lewis Stone
    Lewis Stone
    • Rudolf Rassendyll…
    Alice Terry
    Alice Terry
    • Princess Flavia
    Robert Edeson
    Robert Edeson
    • Col. Sapt
    Stuart Holmes
    Stuart Holmes
    • Grand Duke 'Black' Michael
    Ramon Novarro
    Ramon Novarro
    • Rupert of Hentzau
    • (as Ramon Samaniegos)
    Barbara La Marr
    Barbara La Marr
    • Antoinette de Mauban
    Malcolm McGregor
    Malcolm McGregor
    • Capt. Fritz von Tarlenheim
    Edward Connelly
    Edward Connelly
    • Marshal von Strakencz
    Lois Lee
    Lois Lee
    • Countess Helga
    John George
    John George
    • Dwarf-Assassin
    Snitz Edwards
    Snitz Edwards
    • Josef
    Fairfax Burger
    • Bersonin
    • (as Fairfax Burgher)
    S.E. Jennings
    • De Gautet
    • (as Al Jennings)
    Ted Billings
    • Train Passenger Eating Banana
    • (uncredited)
    Carrie Daumery
    Carrie Daumery
    • Lady-in-Waiting
    • (uncredited)
    Bynunsky Hyman
    • Coronation Parade Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Eric Mayne
    Eric Mayne
    • Lord Burlesdon - Rudolf's Brother
    • (uncredited)
    Lon Poff
    Lon Poff
    • Archbishop
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Rex Ingram
    • Writers
      • Anthony Hope
      • Mary O'Hara
      • Edward Rose
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    6.7593
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    Featured reviews

    6anches-725-976306

    A tale of Hope with little charm.

    As with "Scaramouche", I found this film rather stodgy, with a lacklustre score. Lewis Stone is too old in his dual role and Alice Terry lacked any real charm. This picture belongs to its supporting cast- Barbara LaMarr ("too beautiful for her own good") as Antoinette de Mauban, Colonel Zapt, Captain von Tarlenheim and,of course, Rupert of Hentzau, played with relish and humour by Ramon Novarro. I think I prefer him in this role to any other I have seen him portray; perhaps his popularity with the female audience meant he became stuck in the part of gentle romancer (long after he had become too mature for this) rather than developing his abilities as an actor.
    9planktonrules

    An early version of a great story--but not the earliest.

    "The Prisoner of Zenda" has been filmed about a dozen times...more of less. It's a VERY familiar story to anyone who loves old films. When I heard about this 1922 version coming on Turner Classic Movies, I at first thought it was the original one, though it turns out there was an even earlier version in 1913! Regardless, I was thrilled to finally see a silent version of a story I have long loved. So is this one as wonderful at the 1937 Ronald Colman version? Well, not exactly--but it sure was close.

    Another surprise about this one is that is starred Lewis Stone--a guy I'd hardly think of as an action hero! This is the bald Judge Hardy...playing a handsome king! Looking at Stone's hair in the film, I assume he was wearing a wig, as he had A LOT of hair! But he was also quite good in the dual roles of King Rupert as well as his English cousin. Oddly, however, while Stone clearly is THE leading man, Ramon Navarro got top billing--which makes little sense as he's a relatively minor character. No, this is definitely Stone's film.

    As far as the plot goes, it's pretty much the familiar story. The new king, Rudolf, is about to be crowned leader of Ruritania. However, his evil but popular brother, Michael, has plans of usurping the throne. First, he drugs Rudolf so he cannot attend the coronation. BUT, coincidentally, a distant cousin is at hand and poses as the king. However, this won't deter Michael, as he's discovered the real king and has taken him prisoner. So, you KNOW another attempt will soon be made on the pretend king's life. Can the evil Michael and his nasty henchmen be defeated? This is a lovingly made silent--with terrific sets and wonderful acting. I particularly loved the king's beloved #1 man--he had such wonderful and soulful eyes. And something unique to the film I really liked--the deadly river and how it plays into the film. Overall, a great silent--and a film that only barely was eclipsed by the great 1937 version (this film is just perfect).

    Note: After the FIRST guy gets pulled over the deadly falls, the print's quality degrades VERY quickly. It is very fuzzy and could really use additional restoration.
    10Ron Oliver

    Excellent Silent Swashbuckler

    Rudolf V, the King of Ruritania, has been kidnapped by Black Michael, his evil half-brother, and locked in the dungeon of the fortress of Zenda on the eve of his coronation. By a wild twist of fate, it falls upon a look alike distant cousin, the Englishman Rassendyll, to impersonate the king and effect his rescue before either one or both of them are killed by Black Michael or his henchman, Rupert of Hentzau. With two beautiful women complicating matters, and danger lurking at every turn, how can THE PRISONER OF ZENDA possibly be saved?

    It is unfortunate that this fine silent film is completely overshadowed by its 1937 talkie remake starring Ronald Colman. It is also unfair. Silent films & talkies are two different art forms and should not be put into competition against each other. Each art form is perfect in its own way. And so it is with the 1922 PRISONER OF ZENDA. Excitingly produced, with excellent production values & good acting, this movie stands on its own merits and on its own feet.

    Those familiar with Lewis Stone only as a fine character actor during his talkie career at MGM may be surprised to see him here as a romantic lead, and in a swashbuckler no less. But he is very good in his dual roles of Rudolf & Rassendyll. Strangely, at times he closely resembles Colman, but this is a coincidence no one could anticipate.

    This was also the breakout picture for Ramon Novarro. Born to a large wealthy family in Mexico, he had arrived in California as a 15-year old looking to become a singer. That led him into dancing & finally to acting and the movies. Working incredibly hard for years, and largely supporting his family (driven North by Revolution) he finally caught the eye of director Rex Ingram. In ZENDA, the 22-year old Novarro plays rascally Rupert, who, with his little beard & moustache & face wreathed in constant cigarette smoke, looks quite sardonic. He does very well with the unsympathetic character. Playing a mid-European, Novarro begins a career which would have him acting every sort of ethnic role, from Hebrew, to Polynesian, to Chinese.

    The rest of the cast all lend able support: Stuart Holmes as the wicked Black Michael; Alice Terry as the beautiful Princess Flavia; Barbara La Marr as the lovely Antoinette de Mauban, desperately in love with Michael; and Robert Edeson & Malcolm McGregor as two staunchly loyal officers of the king. Little comedian Snitz Edwards has a small role as a funny butler.
    jjcremin

    Ingram was an excellent silent film director

    I've seen both Rex Ingram's "Scaramouche" and "The Prisoner of Zenda" and by far "Scaramouche" the more entertaining film. This film though, was very fascinating. Lewis Stone acquits himself well as the hero/drukand king and swordfights quite well. Alice Terry made a very beautiful princess. Ramon Novarro played the monocled villain, somewhat unintentionally funny. Barbara La Marr, the closeups of her face, wow! Seeing Valentino's "cousins" from "The Four Horseman of the Acapolyse" in supporting roles was really cool.

    However, the Colman/Fairbanks Jr. version is far superior.
    6preppy-3

    Dull, but elaborate

    Expensive silent film of a king who is marked for assassination. He switches identities with a look alike (both played by Lewis Stone) who takes his place at his coronation. But the real king is kidnapped. While his followers try to find him, the fake king falls in love with Princess Flava (Alice Terry).

    Slow moving but the film looks great. No action...just lots of exagerrated looks and people endlessly talking. The sets, costumes and acting helps. Seeing Stone (who went on to play Judge Hardy in the Andy Hardy movies) so young and being a romantic lead is interesting. He's also very good. Terry is regal and also very good as the princess. Ramon Novarro (still an unknown) plays the evil villain. That's quite a shock--he always played heroes in his later films. He pulls it off though.

    So, it's beautiful but I can't totally recommend it.

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    Related interests

    Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
    Swashbuckler
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A few days before shooting was to start, director Rex Ingram realized that Metro had forgotten to order costumes for Lewis Stone. The desperate director frantically phoned Stone and asked if he still had the costumes from the stage version. Luckily the actor had them stored in his attic.
    • Goofs
      During the climactic fight scene, a stool is kicked over twice.
    • Quotes

      [intertitles]

      Rudolf Rassendyll: While you're unhung, Hentzau, hell lacks its master!

    • Alternate versions
      The Turner library print is a re-release of the original version, with an uncredited piano music score and a running time of 113 minutes. Its opening credits were changed to list Ramon Novarro first, as he was then very popular, and also uses the name he is now known by. Also credited onscreen was John George and Snitz Edwards.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cinéman (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Zenda
      Music and Lyrics by Louis Breau and Ernst Luz

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 11, 1922 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • None
    • Also known as
      • Fången på Zenda
    • Production company
      • Metro Pictures Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $323,062 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 2h 5m(125 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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