Ivanhoe (B or 3/4 stars)
Based on Sir Walter Scott's 1819 historical novel, 'Ivanhoe' (directed by Richard Thorpe) is one of those 1950s MGM medieval costume epics that entertain, yet also presents an inaccurate version of history. But that was par for the course back then. Robert Taylor plays the noble Saxon hero Wilfred of Ivanhoe who has returned from the 3rd Crusades to the Holy Land to find a cool reception and that King Richard the Lionheart is held captive by the Austrians; kept there by his evil brother Prince John, who is trying to steal the throne. Not believing the rumors that Richard died in battle, Ivanhoe poses as a cloaked minstrel as he rides his horse through Austria searching all the castles when he finally happens upon the imprisoned king.
Knowing his king is indeed alive, Ivanhoe returns to his homeland to raise $$ for the ransom. Still disguised as a minstrel, he leads an enemy party led by Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert & Sir Hugh De Bracy to the castle of his father, Cedric, so they can receive food& shelter. Father & son have not been on speaking terms since Ivanhoe went against his father's wishes to fight with Richard. Ivanhoe reunites with his betrothed, Lady Rowena (regal Joan Fontaine), staying in Cedric's castle as his "ward"; steals his father's Fool; makes him his loyal squire; saves Isaac of York from being robbed/possibly murdered; & learns from Rowena that his father - in secret - really does care for him. Ivanhoe escorts Isaac home & meets his beautiful young daughter, Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor), who falls in love with him instantly.
Isaac asks how he can repay Wilfred of Ivanhoe for saving his life, so Ivanhoe calls for him to raise $$ to pay for Richard's ransom. When Isaac replies that King Richard persecuted the Jews, Ivanhoe then promises no more persecutions & warns that evil Prince John (and his crew) is even more anti-Semitic. The beating heart of the film has Ivanhoe conflicted over his love for the 2 beautiful women in his life, entering jousting events, trying to raise said $$ for Richard's ransom, preventing vile Sir Hugh from stealing Lady Rowena away from him, getting help from loyal outlaw Robin Hood, trying to free Richard, as well as trying to free young Rebecca who is tried in court by Prince John as a witch. Drama & romantic entanglements ensue.
So 'Ivanhoe' is a solid swashbuckler; though, nothing to go bonkers over. But as mentioned, it provides attractive stars {of course}, grand color cinematography, castles, countryside, beautiful medieval sets/costumes, rousing music, horses, jousting(!!), kings in bondage, damsels in distress, lots of neck clutching, longing looks of passion, & so on. In other words, it's a medieval melodrama/soap opera that plays around with some facts of history, yet still finds time for intrigue & entertainment. Robert Taylor is suitably manly/heroic as titular Ivanhoe; if also a little dry. Joan Fontaine is lovely & likeable as Rowena. Liz Taylor is stunning & vulnerable. Thank goodness this movie comes in under 2 hours, because due to some laggy pacing & a listless script (at times), I don't think I could have taken too much more of it. But it ends in swell fashion & I did enjoy the proceedings as they were.
Knowing his king is indeed alive, Ivanhoe returns to his homeland to raise $$ for the ransom. Still disguised as a minstrel, he leads an enemy party led by Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert & Sir Hugh De Bracy to the castle of his father, Cedric, so they can receive food& shelter. Father & son have not been on speaking terms since Ivanhoe went against his father's wishes to fight with Richard. Ivanhoe reunites with his betrothed, Lady Rowena (regal Joan Fontaine), staying in Cedric's castle as his "ward"; steals his father's Fool; makes him his loyal squire; saves Isaac of York from being robbed/possibly murdered; & learns from Rowena that his father - in secret - really does care for him. Ivanhoe escorts Isaac home & meets his beautiful young daughter, Rebecca (Elizabeth Taylor), who falls in love with him instantly.
Isaac asks how he can repay Wilfred of Ivanhoe for saving his life, so Ivanhoe calls for him to raise $$ to pay for Richard's ransom. When Isaac replies that King Richard persecuted the Jews, Ivanhoe then promises no more persecutions & warns that evil Prince John (and his crew) is even more anti-Semitic. The beating heart of the film has Ivanhoe conflicted over his love for the 2 beautiful women in his life, entering jousting events, trying to raise said $$ for Richard's ransom, preventing vile Sir Hugh from stealing Lady Rowena away from him, getting help from loyal outlaw Robin Hood, trying to free Richard, as well as trying to free young Rebecca who is tried in court by Prince John as a witch. Drama & romantic entanglements ensue.
So 'Ivanhoe' is a solid swashbuckler; though, nothing to go bonkers over. But as mentioned, it provides attractive stars {of course}, grand color cinematography, castles, countryside, beautiful medieval sets/costumes, rousing music, horses, jousting(!!), kings in bondage, damsels in distress, lots of neck clutching, longing looks of passion, & so on. In other words, it's a medieval melodrama/soap opera that plays around with some facts of history, yet still finds time for intrigue & entertainment. Robert Taylor is suitably manly/heroic as titular Ivanhoe; if also a little dry. Joan Fontaine is lovely & likeable as Rowena. Liz Taylor is stunning & vulnerable. Thank goodness this movie comes in under 2 hours, because due to some laggy pacing & a listless script (at times), I don't think I could have taken too much more of it. But it ends in swell fashion & I did enjoy the proceedings as they were.