Ronald Colman (Maj. Rudolf Rassendyl/The Prisoner of Zenda), Madeline Carroll (Princess Flavia), C. Aubrey Smith (Col. Zapt.), Raymond Massey (Black Michael), Mary Astor (Antoinette de Mauban), David Niven (Capt. Fritz von Tarlenheim), Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (Rupert of Hentzau)
"I see you want to let the drawbridge down. Well, well. I just killed a man for trying that."
"An unarmed man, of course."
"Of course."
Anthony Hope's classic 1895 novel has been turned into a motion picture several times.s The most notable version was filmed by producer David O. Selznick, who'd been inspired to make it after the abdication of England's Edward III. Selznick stated, "the case had made very topical an old problem-that of king and commoner and queen and commoner." The deciding factor was having Colman under contract, as the filmmaker said he wouldn't have purchased the right had he not had the actor.
Fay Wray and Anita Louise were tested for the part of Flavia. Fairbanks wanted the lead, and nearly rejected Rupert, as it wasn't a starring role. His father said to take it, adding Rupert was "probably one of the best roles ever written," adding, "Nobody has ever played Rupert and failed to steal the show . . . It is so actor-proof in fact, Rin-Tin-Tin could play the part and walk away with it."
Having trouble getting into his character, Massey approached Smith, saying he couldn't get into Michael's skin. The elder actor replied, "Ray, in my time I have played every part in The Prisoner of Zenda except Princess Flavia. And I always had trouble with Black Michael." With that, he went back to reading his newspaper.
While thoroughly entertaining, this movie is an excellent look at love, honor and duty. We see the love story between Rudolf and Flavia and Antionette's love for Michael. Both are cases where the people are more than hopeful their love comes to fruition, and both wind up being examples of hopeless causes.
The Prisoner of Zenda deals with honor as Rudolf is offered a vast fortune to betray the king. Instead of taking the easy way out and accepting it, he scoffs at it, as he's an honorable man.
When Antionette gives Michael's plan to Rudolf, the woman feels she's betraying her lover. Yet she also knows in her heart she's aiding her country, which her sense of honor leads her to do.
When Antionette gives Michael's plan to Rudolf, the woman feels she's betraying her lover. Yet she also knows in her heart she's aiding her country, which her sense of honor leads her to do.
As Rudolf impersonates the king, then attempts to rescue him, he does so out of duty. Although not a citizen of Zenda, the man realizes it's the proper thing to do as a human being, and proceeds. Call it conscience if one must, but Rudolf knows the difference between that and duty.
Zapt and Fritz proceed with their mission as they love their king and country. The duo also comprehends what will happen to their nation should a man with a heart as evil as Michael take power. They do what they must as it's their jobs. The men exceed expectations as they realize it's expected of them. Both understand what duty is.
Everyone scores, but Fairbanks did exactly as his father predicted and ran away with the picture. Max Steiner's music would be used again for the 1952 version. Added to the Library of Congress in 1991, this is a film lover's feast.
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