The Prisoner of Zenda (1922)

Copyright 29 July 1922 by Metro Pictures Corporation. New York opening at the Astor: 31 July 1922. U.S. release: 11 September 1922. 10 reels. 10,467 feet. 116 minutes. COMMENT: Selected by The New York Times as one of the best films of the year, the familiar story (re-made with Ronald Colman in 1937 and Stewart Granger in 1952) is given grand treatment here.Some critics have complained of this version's lack of action. While it's true that Ingram does tend to concentrate more on the romance between Lewis Stone's reluctant Rassendyll and the beautiful princess (charmingly enacted by Alice Terry) and also on a closer examination of Black Michael's political intriguing than do the various remakes, there is nonetheless a fair amount of action-and it is well handled too, particularly the final sword duels between hero and villains with all the players including Stone, Holmes and Novarro doing their own fencing and doing it very ably indeed. In addition to these excitements, as might be expected, cinema stylist Rex Ingram has a grand time with all the sets, costumes and panoply of Zenda. It's amazing how close the remakes follow not only the plot and the various incidents, but even the incidentals like the opening knockabout at the railway station. Ramon Novarro's fans will be a little disappointed to find their hero playing the villain (especially as he is not quite as charming as in other versions), but everyone cheers when the beautiful Barbara La Marr enters. AVAILABLE on DVD through Grapevine. Quality rating varies from 5 to 7 out of ten, but almost all is quite watchable

THE PRISONER OF ZENDA is an early silent version of the classic Anthony Hope novel about a king who is drugged and locked in a tower by some nefarious characters led by his own brother. The king's lookalike must take the throne temporarily while he attempts to solve the disappearance, rescue the real king, and hold the bad guys to account.Although the budget must have been modest by modern standards, this is a well-mounted version of the tale with an ample amount of sets and locations to give it that authentic look. The story is entertaining and feels surprisingly modern in places, featuring some classic sword-fighting scenes that wouldn't look out of place in a swashbuckler from the 1940s.The cast are well chosen and look good in their roles too. My only complaint is that the running time is rather lengthy, meaning that early on some scenes are a slog when not much seems to have been going on. Still, it does pickup for the climax. The version I watched was accompanied by the most monotonous soundtrack ever, a piano tune with 20 or so notes repeated for two hours.

"The Prisoner of Zenda" has been filmed about a dozen times. It's a VERY familiar story to anyone who loves old films. When I heard about this 1922 version coming on Turner Classic Movies, I at first thought it was the original one, though it turns out there was an even earlier version in 1913! Regardless, I was thrilled to finally see a silent version of a story I have long loved. So is this one as wonderful at the 1937 Ronald Colman version? Well, not exactly--but it sure was close.Another surprise about this one is that is starred Lewis Stone--a guy I'd hardly think of as an action hero! This is the bald Judge Hardy...playing a handsome king! Looking at Stone's hair in the film, I assume he was wearing a wig, as he had A LOT of hair! But he was also quite good in the dual roles of King Rupert as well as his English cousin. Oddly, however, while Stone clearly is THE leading man, Ramon Navarro got top billing--which makes little sense as he's a relatively minor character. No, this is definitely Stone's film.As far as the plot goes, it's pretty much the familiar story. The new king, Rudolf, is about to be crowned leader of Ruritania. However, his evil but popular brother, Michael, has plans of usurping the throne. First, he drugs Rudolf so he cannot attend the coronation. BUT, coincidentally, a distant cousin is at hand and poses as the king. However, this won't deter Michael, as he's discovered the real king and has taken him prisoner. So, you KNOW another attempt will soon be made on the pretend king's life. Can the evil Michael and his nasty henchmen be defeated? This is a lovingly made silent--with terrific sets and wonderful acting. I particularly loved the king's beloved #1 man--he had such wonderful and soulful eyes. And something unique to the film I really liked--the deadly river and how it plays into the film. Overall, a great silent--and a film that only barely was eclipsed by the great 1937 version (this film is just perfect).Note: After the FIRST guy gets pulled over the deadly falls, the print's quality degrades VERY quickly. It is very fuzzy and could really use additional restoration.

Rudolf V, the King of Ruritania, has been kidnapped by Black Michael, his evil half-brother, and locked in the dungeon of the fortress of Zenda on the eve of his coronation. By a wild twist of fate, it falls upon a look alike distant cousin, the Englishman Rassendyll, to impersonate the king and effect his rescue before either one or both of them are killed by Black Michael or his henchman, Rupert of Hentzau. With two beautiful women complicating matters, and danger lurking at every turn, how can THE PRISONER OF ZENDA possibly be saved?It is unfortunate that this fine silent film is completely overshadowed by its 1937 talkie remake starring Ronald Colman. It is also unfair. Silent films & talkies are two different art forms and should not be put into competition against each other. Each art form is perfect in its own way. And so it is with the 1922 PRISONER OF ZENDA. Excitingly produced, with excellent production values & good acting, this movie stands on its own merits and on its own feet.Those familiar with Lewis Stone only as a fine character actor during his talkie career at MGM may be surprised to see him here as a romantic lead, and in a swashbuckler no less. But he is very good in his dual roles of Rudolf & Rassendyll. Strangely, at times he closely resembles Colman, but this is a coincidence no one could anticipate.This was also the breakout picture for Ramon Novarro. Born to a large wealthy family in Mexico, he had arrived in California as a 15-year old looking to become a singer. That led him into dancing & finally to acting and the movies. Working incredibly hard for years, and largely supporting his family (driven North by Revolution) he finally caught the eye of director Rex Ingram. In ZENDA, the 22-year old Novarro plays rascally Rupert, who, with his little beard & moustache & face wreathed in constant cigarette smoke, looks quite sardonic. He does very well with the unsympathetic character. Playing a mid-European, Novarro begins a career which would have him acting every sort of ethnic role, from Hebrew, to Polynesian, to Chinese.The rest of the cast all lend able support: Stuart Holmes as the wicked Black Michael; Alice Terry as the beautiful Princess Flavia; Barbara La Marr as the lovely Antoinette de Mauban, desperately in love with Michael; and Robert Edeson & Malcolm McGregor as two staunchly loyal officers of the king. Little comedian Snitz Edwards has a small role as a funny butler.