The Prisoner of Zenda (1937): Cast & Plot
The Prisoner of Zenda is a 1937 adventure drama directed by John Cromwell, starring Madeleine Carroll as Princess Flavia, C. Aubrey Smith and David Niven. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- John Cromwell
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Prisoner of Zenda About?
The premise of The Prisoner of Zenda without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Featuring a spectacular swordfight, the story follows a kingdom’s heir slated for murder who discovers a doppelgänger. The look‑alike assumes the throne at the coronation, while the real king is abducted. Loyalists search for him, and the impostor unexpectedly falls for the intended bride, Princess Flavia.
The Prisoner of Zenda Themes & Keywords
· 43 tags- princess
- coronation
- based on novel
- castle
- swashbuckler
- dual role
- kidnapping
- 1890s
- king
- look alike
- national film registry
- doppelganger
+31 more Show fewer
- brother brother relationship
- military officer
- english
- cousin
- fictional kingdom
- ruritania
- royal court
- dungeon
- self sacrifice
- conspiracy
- wine
- prisoner
- drawbridge
- rescue
- greed
- horse and carriage
- swashbuckler adventure
- remake
- remade
- vacation
- alcoholism
- swordfight
- drugged drink
- hunting lodge
- fishing trip
- wine cellar
- secret door
- murder
- impersonation
- attempted murder
- moat
The Prisoner of Zenda Cast & Characters
Madeleine Carroll leads the cast as Princess Flavia, with C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Zapt and David Niven as Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim. Directed by John Cromwell; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Cromwell
-
Madeleine Carroll as Princess Flavia -
C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Zapt -
David Niven as Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim - Raymond Massey as Black Michael
Also Starring in The Prisoner of Zenda
· 11 more- Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Rupert of Hentzau
- Mary Astor Antoinette de Mauban
- Ronald Colman Major Rudolf Rassendyll / The Prisoner of Zenda
- Byron Foulger Johann (uncredited)
- Torben Meyer Max the Butler
- Montagu Love Detchard
- Charles K. French Bishop (uncredited)
- Wilhelm von Brincken Krafstein (uncredited)
- Philip Sleeman Albert von Lauengram
- Eleanor Wesselhoeft Frau Holf the Cook
- Ben Webster Lord Topham (uncredited)
More from John Cromwell
More films directed by John Cromwell: The Scavengers, The Goddess, The Racket and Caged.
The Prisoner of Zenda Plot Summary
What happens in The Prisoner of Zenda from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In June 1897, an English gentleman Rudolf Rassendyll embarks on a quiet fishing holiday in the small Balkan kingdom of Ruritania, not expecting the strange way the locals respond to him. His curiosity deepens when he meets the circle of people who guard the crown and rule in the king’s absence. A chance encounter with Colonel Zapt and Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim reveals that the near-dynastic politics of the realm are as tangled as any battlefield. They introduce him to the ailing, soon-to-be-crowned king, the man who shares a striking resemblance to Rassendyll, Rudolf V.
Full summary
The whole story of The Prisoner of Zenda, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Prisoner of Zenda?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the English gentleman who becomes a doppelgänger for the Ruritanian king?
The Prisoner of Zenda Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Le Prisonnier de Zenda” and “Il prigioniero di Zenda”.
- Also known as
-
- Le Prisonnier de Zenda
- Il prigioniero di Zenda
- Der Gefangene von Zenda
- El prisionero de Zenda
- Узник крепости Зенда
- O Prisioneiro de Zenda
- Fången på Zenda
Seen The Prisoner of Zenda?
Movies Like The Prisoner of Zenda
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Prisoner of Zenda, The Prisoner of Zenda and The Prisoner of Zenda.
-
The Prisoner of Zenda 1952 -
The Prisoner of Zenda 1913 -
The Prisoner of Zenda 1922 -
Prisoner of Zenda 1988 -
The Prisoner of If Castle 1989 -
Damsel 2024 -
The King’s Thief 1955 -
The Princess Bride 1987 -
The Thief of Bagdad 1924 -
The Runaway Princess 1929 -
The Princess and the Pea 1984 -
The Prisoner of Karlsten’s Fortress 1916
The Prisoner of Zenda FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Prisoner of Zenda, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Prisoner of Zenda?
The Prisoner of Zenda runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was The Prisoner of Zenda released?
The Prisoner of Zenda was released on September 2, 1937.
Who directed The Prisoner of Zenda?
The Prisoner of Zenda was directed by John Cromwell.
More films by John Cromwell Who is in the cast of The Prisoner of Zenda?
The Prisoner of Zenda stars Madeleine Carroll as Princess Flavia, C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Zapt and David Niven as Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim, among 15 credited actors.
Does The Prisoner of Zenda have a post-credit scene?
No. The Prisoner of Zenda has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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