Review of Ivanhoe (1952) by Lukas M — 19 Nov 2011
Not perfect but better than the 1982 version.
The MGM Ivanhoe is a good example of the medival swashbucker. Sure, it's not without shortcomings--Athelstane and Ulrica do not appear and Rebecca is tried by Prince John instead of Lucas Beaumanoir--but it's a well-paced movie that hits the highlights of the novel and features far better production values than the 1982 remake.
Elizabeth Taylor looks gorgeous and plays Rebecca with a strong sense of love, courage and friendship. Joan Fontaine is lovely as Rowena (Lysette Anthony is the merest painted doll in comparision) and you don't wonder why Ivanhoe fell in love with her. Robert Taylor was a decent competent actor but never brilliant. (Why Richard Thorpe would cast an American in a sea of British actors is beyond me.) However, he does well in the battle sequences and proves a good masculine contrast to the effeminante-looking Anthony Andrews. Finlay Currie is grand as Lord Cedric, Emlyn Williams is a whimsical Wamba and Guy Rolfe is a truly nasty and crafty Prince John.
Not the best adaption of Sir Walter Scott's classic but still a very darn good one!
This review of Ivanhoe (1952) was written by Lukas M on 19 Nov 2011.
Ivanhoe has generally received positive reviews.
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