The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

Director: Richard Thorpe
Starring: Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Louis Calhern

Synopsis:
An Englishman on holiday who bears an uncanny resemblance to the country's heir apparent is called on to impersonate the incapacitated Prince for his coronation, but when the Prince goes missing, the ruse must go on.

Impressions:
I know this is a work that's often been adapted, but this'll be our starting point. This is, to my knowledge, the first film where I encountered Stewart Granger and he takes to the lead role quite well. He's of course playing double duty as the protagonist Rudolf Rassendyll and Prince Rudolf of Ruritania. James Mason also shines as the treacherous Rupert of Hentzau. If you like stories of this type, you won't be disappointed, but I hear the '37 version is even better, which I look forward to seeing for myself.

Rating:
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