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Adventure comedy

The Prisoner of Zenda (1979): Cast & Box Office

The Prisoner of Zenda (1979) movie poster

The Prisoner of Zenda is a 1979 adventure comedy directed by Richard Quine, starring Peter Sellers as Rudolf IV/Rudolf V/Sidney Frewin, Lionel Jeffries and John Laurie. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $7.7 million worldwide on a $12.5 million budget.

worldwide gross
$7.7M
budget
$12.5M
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The Prisoner of Zenda (1979) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Richard Quine
Genres
Comedy , Adventure , Action
Original language
English
Studio
Universal Pictures
Budget
$12.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Prisoner of Zenda About?

The premise of The Prisoner of Zenda without spoilers.

Peter Sellers delivers a wildly comedic twist on Anthony Hope’s classic, as the plot follows the newly crowned King Rudolph of Ruritania who, fearing for his safety, is swapped with a dead‑ringer London cab driver. The scheme is tangled by two striking blondes, double‑crosses and a chaotic battle for honor, turning the story into a delightfully zany adventure.

The Prisoner of Zenda Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • slapstick comedy
  • parody comedy
  • the prisoner of zenda spoof
  • swashbuckler spoof
  • spoof
  • sellers and schell
  • male protagonist
  • mustached man
  • sellers and sommer
  • swashbuckler adventure
  • doppelganger
  • parodical remake
+7 more
  • sword fight
  • parody
  • evil man
  • impersonation
  • substitution
  • impostor
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

The Prisoner of Zenda Cast & Characters

Peter Sellers leads the cast as Rudolf IV/Rudolf V/Sidney Frewin, with Lionel Jeffries as Colonel Zapt and John Laurie as Archbishop. Directed by Richard Quine; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Prisoner of Zenda

· 13 more
From the director

More from Richard Quine

More films directed by Richard Quine: The Moonshine War, A Talent for Loving, Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad and Hotel.

Full filmography
Box office

The Prisoner of Zenda Box Office & Budget

The Prisoner of Zenda grossed $7.7 million worldwide on a $12.5 million budget, 61% of what it cost.

1979 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.7M

61% of its budget back

US & Canada
$7.7M
Budget
$12.5M
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Prisoner of Zenda?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

Who played the dual roles of King Rudolf V and Rudolf Rassendyll in the 1979 film?
Details

The Prisoner of Zenda Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Der Gefangene von Zenda” and “Il prigioniero di Zenda”.

Also known as
  • Der Gefangene von Zenda
  • Il prigioniero di Zenda
  • El estrafalario prisionero de Zenda
  • Fangen på Zenda
  • Fången på Zenda
  • Узник Зенды
  • A zendai fogoly avagy a királyi zűr
  • Ο Αιχμάλωτος της Ζέντα
  • 젠다성의 포로
  • O Prisoneiro de Zenda
  • Zatočenik dvorca Zenda

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FAQ

The Prisoner of Zenda FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office 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 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was The Prisoner of Zenda released?

The Prisoner of Zenda was released on August 17, 1979.

Who directed The Prisoner of Zenda?

The Prisoner of Zenda was directed by Richard Quine.

More films by Richard Quine

Who is in the cast of The Prisoner of Zenda?

The Prisoner of Zenda stars Peter Sellers as Rudolf IV/Rudolf V/Sidney Frewin, Lionel Jeffries as Colonel Zapt and John Laurie as Archbishop, among 17 credited actors.

How much did The Prisoner of Zenda make at the box office?

The Prisoner of Zenda grossed $7.7 million worldwide on a budget of $12.5 million.

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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