Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Verity Robins Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Tobias Burrows It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Goingbegging No coincidence that this film about a negligent, pleasure-loving monarch should have appeared in 1937. It was actually meant to point a discreet finger at the fugitive King Edward VIII, with war fast approaching, and notions of duty and leadership suddenly front-of-mind.This was not the first or last dramatisation of the Anthony Hope novel that put Ruritania on the map - feeding a strong psychological need to believe in a recent, yet quite mythical age 'when history still wore a rose'.The mythology is easy to sneer-at now, with an imaginary Balkan state rescued from anarchy by clean-limbed young English-speakers professing the public-school virtues of decency and fair play. But this film was unusually blessed - in the eyes of the viewing public, if not of the production team. And whatever the backstage disagreements, it must go down as a triumph of casting and direction.At its heart was the well-kept and photogenic Ronald Colman, still just young enough to play the suitor, and somehow able to conceal the limp that came with his war-wound, while at least looking as though he was fencing as nimbly and wholeheartedly as the best of them.Colman arrives in Ruritania as an English sporting gent (Rassendyll), hoping for a few days' fishing. But he soon learns that he is the split-image of his distant cousin, the new King, due to be crowned next day. By chance, he is introduced to the King, who is greatly amused at meeting his own double, and entertains him to a lavish dinner, where the King is the only one left awake to drink the drugged wine, sent by his jealous half-brother Michael (Raymond Massey).It is betraying no more than the obvious, if we reveal that the King is not capable of attending his own coronation, and Rassendyll is put under pressure to dress-up and be crowned in his place, while the King is recovering.But if only it were that simple...Along the way, we get Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in his greatest film role as Michael's swashbuckling sidekick Rupert, competing for Mary Astor in her most glamorous appearance as Michael's lover; and Madeleine Carroll, a vision of loveliness and virtue as the future Queen. All presided-over by Aubrey Smith, the ex-England cricketer whose weekend matches so intrigued Hollywood, and brought attention to the young David Niven, who plays his deputy, Fritz.The near-perfect direction is spoiled by three things. Towards the climax, we can't quite keep up with the intricacies of the sub-plot, or grasp which location we're at (mostly outdoors at night). When it comes to the duelling scenes, the dialogue is even more bogus than you expect, with too many comic-strip challenges to chivalric honour. And the final scene between Rudolf and Flavia is disappointingly mechanical and rushed, as their earlier scenes are not.Overall, though, this film manages to distil its various elements into something bigger than just Danubian waltzes and duels - a rare cinematic moment, never to be eclipsed.

thinker1691 This film is based on Anthony Hope's novel and directed by John Cromwell. Over the years, the story has been imitated with many versions. This Black and white offering is so well directed it plays as well in 1937 as in 2011. The lead is played most admirably by Ronald Colman who with his distinctive voice is both Major Rudolf Rassendyll and " The Prisoner of Zenda. " The plot is lead by Black Michael (Raymond Massey) who's facial features are suited for the part of a jealous villain. It is surprising however to see David Niven and Douglas Faitbanks Jr. on opposites sides, but each performs superbly even if Douglas does play a heavy. The inner story is that of a King who is slated for removal by duping the populace that because the king has been killed, Black Michael will assume the thrown in his absence. A later version will have Steward Granger in the title role and in color, but for me, Ronald Coleman will always be the Prisoner of Zenda in this Classic movie. Excellent rendition and highly recommended! ****

Daniel Kincaid In "The Prisoner of Zenda", a British major impersonates a foreign king to save his station. The film starts as more of a drama film and makes a transition to action film near the end. It also features nice sets in the old Hollywood style and an appropriate score.The film's cast delivers great performances. Ronald Colman is charming as Major Rudolf Rassendyll. Madeleine Carroll plays Princess Flavia, who is slated to marry the king. Colman and Carroll have chemistry together and nicely develop a relationship. C. Aubrey Smith is well-cast to play the part of Colonel Zapt, the king's loyal helper, and David Niven has a small role, also on the king's support staff. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. creates a memorable villain as the brazen and obnoxious but somewhat clever Rupert of Hentzau. Raymond Massey is decent as the other main villain, Michael, but not on par with Fairbanks.The start of the movie develops the film's premise and then the characters. The film mostly has an interesting story and clever dialogue,but it does have some slower spots in the middle. However, the film makes a transition to an action-oriented approach near the end. This was appropriate and in particular there was one duel with some amusing banter that was a highlight of the action. The film culminates in a satisfactory conclusion and is overall worth seeing for its premise, characters, dialogue and action toward the end.

Neil Doyle The only ingredient missing in THE PRISONER OF ZENDA ('37) is Technicolor, but it's masterfully photographed by James Wong Howe in glorious B&W and the cast is exceptionally fine.The story is the familiar one about a man forced to masquerade as a King of a fictional country (Ruritania) while all sorts of intrigue and cunning schemes are going on at the palace. RONALD COLMAN has the central role and MADELEINE CARROLL is the gorgeous aristocratic Princess Flavia that he falls in love with.Produced in lavish style by David O. Selznick, with stirring music by Alfred Newman and directed by John Cromwell, it's the sort of escapist entertainment audiences needed then--and now.DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, JR. plays the wicked Rupert of Hentzau with devilish charm, the man who is in on an audacious plan to hold the real King Rupert hostage for ransom, and RAYMOND MASSEY does his usual villainous turn as Michael, the prisoner of Zenda's brother, the man who wants the throne for himself. In a small role as Massey's wife, MARY ASTOR makes almost no impression at all.On the debit side, there's a strictly 1930's storybook flavor to the way the story is told, particularly the love scenes between Colman and Carroll. Their histrionics get a little too over-heated during that final scene during which her nobility in willing to forget "a moment of madness" seems more like a story contrivance. True love never does run smooth, not here and not in Shakespeare.The duel between Colman and Fairbanks is well staged and makes an exciting finale for a slow-paced tale that becomes a bit too talky at times. Still, despite obvious drawbacks, it's an entertaining story told with a dashing amount of romance and intrigue. Madeleine Carroll was never more beautiful.