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Ivanhoe
1952 106 min United Kingdom, United States of America 0+
★7.3
Adventure, Romance, History
Director: Richard Thorpe
🎭 Based on
«Ivanhoe»
byWalter Scott
Trailers
Description
Sir Walter Scott's classic story of the chivalrous Ivanhoe who joins with Robin of Locksley in the fight against Prince John and for the return of King Richard the Lionheart.
Budget:
$3.84M
Worldwide:
$10.88M
Starring
Robert Taylor
Actor
Elizabeth Taylor
Actor
Joan Fontaine
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1953
— Best Original Score
Golden Globe 1953
— Best Film Promoting World Understanding
Academy Awards 1953
— Best Cinematography (Color)
Academy Awards 1953
— Best Score for a Drama or Comedy
Academy Awards 1953
— Best Picture
Key opinion
This 1952 adaptation of Ivanhoe is recognized as a lavish, technically impressive MGM production that emphasizes romantic chivalry over historical realism. While the film is widely praised for its cinematography and action sequences, it is frequently criticized for significant plot abridgments and poor casting choices regarding the leads' ages and interpretations.
| Acting | Elizabeth Taylor provides a universally acclaimed and standout performance as Rebecca. | |
| Production | The film features visually stunning Technicolor cinematography and high-quality production design that evoke a classic Hollywood epic scope. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is widely criticized for being overly simplistic, stripping the original novel of its thematic depth and character nuance. | |
| Acting | The casting of Robert Taylor, Joan Fontaine, and George Sanders is frequently panned, with critics arguing the actors were too old for their roles or lacked the necessary character traits. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split; some find the action sequences and jousting to be pulse-pounding, while others feel the film feels like a disjointed, theatrical stage play. | |
| Adaptation | The adaptation's fidelity is divisive: some viewers appreciate the sanitized, romanticized approach as child-friendly and entertaining, while others condemn it for omitting critical characters and plot events. |