Does This Book Have the Potential to Be a Great Movie?

[[deleted user]]

I have often thought The Prisoner of Zenda would lend itself to a film adaptation more so than other classics. It has an exciting, but not overly complex story and the time period is one of my favorites. I think it would make an excellent movie!

What do you think?

[Lesley]

It has been a great movie!!
Back in the 1930s it starred Ronald Coleman (as Rassendyll/the King) and Douglas Fairbanks Jr (Rupert of Hentzau) with a young David Niven assisting Ronald Coleman as he attempts to impersonate the King.
When they remade the film in 1952 (in colour!) it starred Stewart Grainger, with James Mason as Rupert. They actually remade it almost scene for scene and shot for shot, because they couldn't improve on the original film.
The earlier version was better. And the banter during swordplay ("Where did you learn such roller-skating?" "Coldstream Guards, old boy!") has never been equalled.

[[deleted user]]

I didn't know it had been adapted twice!
Although I did know about the 1950s version, I thought the actors looked all wrong, so I hoped it would be remade someday.

But now I'm interested in seeing the 1930s film!

[Lesley]

Ronald Coleman was a very good actor, and so was Douglas Fairbanks Jr (and much better as Rupert of Hentzau - it needs that dashing elegance and quicksilver wit).
The story was also shamelessly stolen for a Doctor Who story, starring the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, filmed partly at the beautiful Leeds Castle, with android doubles, as part of the Key to Time series of stories.

[Fatma]

deleted user wrote: "I have often thought The Prisoner of Zenda would lend itself to a film adaptation more so than other classics. It has an exciting, but not overly complex story and the time period is one of my favo..."actually it has been made into a film and the film was nice

[booklearner]

I've seen the Stewart Granger version which inspired me to read the book. Now my interest is piqued to watch the '30's one. But does anyone see a parallel between the Zenda ending and Casablanca's? Many consider Casablanca one of the greatest films ever, and I think it is the sacrificial element of Zenda that elevates it above mere dime novel stuff.

[Lesley]

Good point!