Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

TheLittleSongbird This pales I think to the brilliant 1937 film, but this version is still very good. It is a little too short though and some of the exchanges of the dialogue lack the class and unique chemistry of the 1937 film. However, the colour, costumes and scenery are exquisite and the score is marvellous. The film goes at a good pace too and the romantic and exciting story never fails to engage, while the acting in general is very good. Stewart Granger is marvellous in his dashing and heroic dual role, and Deborah Kerr is ravishing as Princess Flavia. Jane Greer comes off even better, while James Mason is a menacing and somewhat austere Rupert and while his part is a little underwritten perhaps Robert Douglas is appropriately sinister as Michael. Overall, far from perfect, but worthy and colourful version. 8/10 Bethany Cox

zardoz-13 Director Richard Thorpe's vigorous remake of the 1937 "Prisoner of Zenda, itself a remake of the 1922 silent "Prisoner of Zenda," boasts one major advantage over the classic Ronald Colman version, namely, four-time Oscar winning cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg's dazzling Technicolor photography. Costume movies are the rare exception to the rule when it comes to color. They always look better in color. Stewart Granger is suitably heroic as the swashbuckling protagonist, and he seems more ideally cast as a leaping and lunging swordsman than Colman. Nothing against Ronald Colman but he seemed a little too old to be playing an athletic protagonist in the spirt of either Douglas Fairbanks, Sir., or Errol Flynn. Meanwhile, James Mason--incredibly enough--doesn't overshadow Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in the role of amoral Rupert. Mind you, Mason later became a bigger star than both Granger and Fairbanks, but he seems more thuggish. Louis Calhern is just as good as C. Aubrey Smith, but Robert Douglas pales by comparison with Raymond Massey as Michael, Duke of Strelsau. Aside from these quibbles, this "Prisoner of Zenda" is essentially a scene-for-scene remake, with some variation incorporated in Thorpe's use of camera set-ups and pacing. If you see this version before you watch the 1937 version, you may prefer it simply because of the vibrant Technicolor. Deborah Kerr is definitely an asset as the Princess Flavia.

dbdumonteil "The prisoner of Zenda" (1952) is a wonderful swashbuckler ,a movie the whole family can enjoy! I've already seen it three or four times and I've never got tired of it.Stewart Granger is absolutely perfect as the hero,playing two parts with gusto:I love the crowning where he manages to be as majestic as a king and yet shows he is not completely at ease ;his waltz with Deborah Kerr is also a great moment.James Mason vies with Robert Douglas in wickedness ,greed and Machiavelism.Deborah Kerr is gorgeous as Princess Flavia.This kind of story belongs to an imaginary remote past -although it is supposed to happen in 1897-like the fairy tales.That's why "the prisoner" is so magical.

sandra small This adaptation of The Prisoner Of Zender has Stewart Grainger playing European King Rudolf V at Strelsau who is the constitutional head of a version of a feudalistic system. In order to retain this version of a European feudal system, then it is crucial for King Rudolfe to be crowned. But like some kings (for example Great Britain's Edward VII, -9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910)he leads a merry and decadent life of irresponsibility. This makes him vulnerable and as such rife for usurping by his half brother Michael, Duke of Strelsau (Robert Douglass). But Michael's threat to the the crown lays in his courtier, the villain Rupert of Hentzau (James Mason)who seeks glory and power for himself via Michael as opposed for the latter.Therefore the threat to the crown and the feudalistic system in this film is that of a republican nature in that Rupert of Hentzau has desires of power. In this respect the fairytale-like plot is not too far from what is interpreted as reality by the British press. To further explain, some sectors of the British press would have former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a one time pretender to the crown. This ambition is interpreted as being dangerous for the people in the form of Rupert of Hentzau in The Prisoner Of Zender.Elements of William Shakespeare's ( some say, propaganda) play, Richard III are found in The Prisoner of Zender. Like Richard III, the Prisoner Of Zender illustrates a fragile monarchy, and the feudal system which buttresses it destabilised by a treacherous half brother. As the film illustrates, the feudal system is bound by the loyalty of an aristocracy which in turn is furnished with a privileged lifestyle. This is illustrated by Princess Favia (Deborah Kerr) who isn't willing to give such a privileged lifestyle up. Such a privileged lifestyle comes to define the meaning of national patriotism that binds its subjects (the people) to. With the nobility defining patriotism then all who disagree with them are disloyal, traitors and usurpers as seen in Rupert of Hentzau.Indeed, Rupert of Hentzau is keen to break the feudalistic system as witnessed in the swashbuckling sword-fencing scene where he defies the rules of play. This prominent scene is one of the best in the film. Where Grainger is urbane, and charming in his style of acting his duel role, Mason is the scene stealer. The latter's acting is first rate, and it never lets up. Another prominent actor in The Prisoner Of Zender is Jane Greer who plays Antoinette de Mauban with conviction.The Technicolour of the film reflects and captures the ostentatiousness of a regal lifestyle, here directed by alleged budget conscious Richard Thorpe. Moreover, the Technicolour brings the film to life and adds to its fairytale-like appeal. This makes the film a feast for the eyes.In sum this film is on the surface superficial, but beneath its Technicolour, movie star glamour it is a Shakespereanesque tale of political intrigue!