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Made toward the end of MGM’s golden age, Ivanhoe (1952) still impresses as an extravagantly mounted, lushly photographed, action-crammed film that’s both a feast for the eyes and a treat for lovers of romantic adventure stories. Broadly adapted from Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel of medieval England, Richard Thorpe’s production follows the exploits of the title character, portrayed by Robert Taylor. A courageous Saxon nobleman, Ivanhoe seeks to liberate King Richard the Lionhearted from an Austrian prison and see him restored to the throne. Woven into the story is Ivanhoe’s interaction with two women: his father’s ward, Rowena (Joan Fontaine), whom he loves, and the beauteous Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor), daughter of the Hebrew merchant who raises ransom money on the king’s behalf. Sir Brian (George Sanders), a rogue knight who attempts to thwart Ivanhoe at every turn, supplies the tale with rich villainy. Impeccably produced, this rousing Technicolor tale of derring-do was a huge box-office success and a staple of late-night TV for many years. Even judged by the standards we apply to today’s massive screen epics, Ivanhoe is a pretty impressive movie. Everything about it is first-rate -- especially the cast. Taylor and Sanders are particularly fine, and a young Elizabeth Taylor is positively radiant. But the film’s technical aspects deserve praise too, with Freddie Young’s cinematography and Miklos Rozsa’s musical score being particularly memorable. In fact, any viewer would be hard pressed to find fault with Ivanhoe, which still makes terrific entertainment for family audiences. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Produced by MGM's British facilities, the Technicolor Ivanhoe starred Robert Taylor in the title role. Returning to England from the Third Crusades, Ivanhoe is given a cool but cordial reception by his estranged father Cedric (Finlay Currie), a Saxon who despises the Norman king Richard the Lionhearted. Cedric introduces Ivanhoe's fellow knights De Bois-Guilbert (George Sanders) and Sir Hugh de Bracy (Robert Douglas) to Cedric's lovely ward Rowena (Joan Fontaine), who was in love with Ivanhoe until he cast his lot with Richard. Leaving his father's castle, Ivanhoe rescues Isaac (Felix Aylmer), a wealthy Jew, from a band of anti-Semitic Normans. In gratitude, Isaac's beautiful daughter Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor) finances Ivanhoe's entry into an upcoming tournament; he'd been denied backing by his father because he'd planned to use the prize money to ransom the captured King Richard. At the tournament, the disguised Ivanhoe vanquishes all comers, dedicating his victory to Rebecca, which causes a gust of bigoted gossip from the crowd. Behind the scenes, Richard's wicked brother Prince John (Guy Rolfe) plots to discredit Ivanhoe so that the ransom can never be paid. Joining John in this conspiracy is De Bois-Guilbert, who covets Rebecca, and Sir Hugh, who wants to make Rowena his own. After several thrilling adventures and villainous double-crosses, Rebecca is kidnapped and tried as a witch, the better to bring Ivanhoe out in the open and dispose of him once and for all. But the deux-ex-machina appearance by King Richard (Norman Wooland) and the assistance of loyal "outlaw" Robin Hood (Harold Warrender) brings the bad guys to heel and clears the path for a happy ending. Lensed on an epic scale, this adaptation of the Sir Walter Scott classic remains one of MGM's most solid swashbucklers. The property was remade for television in 1982, with Anthony Andrews in the title role. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 012569515420
• Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Pan & Scan
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:47:00
• Sales Rank: 17,790

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