The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)
August 17, 1979Release Date
The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)
August 17, 1979Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Cast & Crew.
Peter Sellers
Rudolf IV/Rudolf V/Sidney Frewin
Stuart Wilson
Rupert
Lynne Frederick
Princess Flavia
Elke Sommer
Countess Montparnasse
Gregory Sierra
Count Montparnasse
Catherine Schell
Mauban
Jeremy Kemp
Duke Michael
John Laurie
Archbishop
Ian Abercrombie
Johann
Simon Williams
Lionel Jeffries
Colonel Zapt
Brendan Dillon
Joseph (uncredited)
Edward E. Rose
Writer
Walter Mirisch
Executive Producer
Richard Quine
Director
Anthony Hope
Novel
Arthur Ibbetson
Director of Photography
Henry Mancini
Original Music Composer
Dick Clement
Screenplay
Byron 'Buzz' Brandt
Editor
Ian La Frenais
Screenplay
Lesley De Pettit
Casting
John J. Lloyd
Production Design
Herwig Libowitzky
Art Direction
Media.
Details.
Release DateAugust 17, 1979
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 48m
Budget$10,000,000
Box Office$15,300,000
Genres
Last updated:
This Movie Is About.
Wiki.
The Prisoner of Zenda is a 1979 American comedy film directed by Richard Quine that stars Peter Sellers, Lynne Frederick, Lionel Jeffries, Elke Sommer, Gregory Sierra, Jeremy Kemp, and Catherine Schell. It is adapted from the 1894 adventure novel by Anthony Hope. The novel tells the story of a man (Peter Sellers) who has to impersonate a king, whom he closely resembles, when the king is abducted by enemies on the eve of his coronation.
The comedy was loosely adapted by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. It has echoes of Hope's book and several other well-known novels, especially Dumas's The Man in the Iron Mask. Sellers plays three roles: that of the Ruritanian King Rudolph V and the London cab driver Sydney Frewin who is brought in to portray the missing King with whom he shares an uncanny resemblance. Sellers also portrayed the aged King Rudoph IV at the start of the film, before he is killed in a hot air balloon accident.
The score by Henry Mancini was a highlight of the film and gained some critical acclaim. It was also Quine's final film as a director and John Laurie’s finals film performance before his death.