Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe
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Movie Reviews of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe
Movie Review: Ivanhoe on DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe
This BBC production of Ivanhoe was made in 1997 but I had not come across it before. It is billed as a faithful adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's novel and, on the whole this is true of the main events in the book, but a number of details have been changed presumably because of the different requirements for television productions. As far as I can tell this version is overly fond of tidying up loose ends by killing off a number of characters who actually survive in the book. However, the most surprising interpolation is the appearance of Eleanor of Acquitaine("by the wrath of God, queen of England") in the closing scenes, determined to knock some sense into her erring sons, Richard and John. The scene actually works well and, like the novel, this version is full of pageantry and non stop action but differs from it in an almost complete lack of chivalry, instead, portraying the clash between Norman and Saxon as a fight to the death with no quarter given. Depth of characterization is not to be expected in a medieval romance and, with the possible exception of Rebecca, Scott's characters are one dimensional. The great merit of this production is the way in which the actors are able to clothe these stereotypes in flesh and blood. Susan Lynch is a wonderful Rebecca, taking full advantage of the way in which the story revolves around her rather than Ivanhoe or Rowena to provide a convincing portrayal of a medieval damsel persecuted for her religion. Prince John is an out and out villain but Ralph Brown manages to invest him with a rather sinister charm , and I was intrigued to find Isaac of York (David Horovitch) portrayed as a shrewd businessman rather than just a moneylender. This is a very colourful production with striking camera shots such as the first view of Front de Boeuf's castle or the hanged man on a background of desolate countryside, both symbolic of Norman cruelty. There have been other sceen adaptations od Ivanhoe but this is the best that I have watched and does justice to the spirit if not always to the letter of the original.
Movie Review: Great Adaptation
Summary: 4 Stars
I greatly enjoyed this rendition of Sir Walter Scott's famous novel. Although there are significant plot deviations, the series is well acted with fantastic costumes and sets true to the period. The theatrical talent of every single actor in this series was simply outstanding and their great performances made the characters multi-dimensional in scope expressing all the nuances of human nature.
Steven Waddington plays a very strong role as Ivanhoe: champion of the absent Richard The Lion Hearted and fiancee of Rowena (Victoria Smurfit), his dear once betrothed who's now promised by his father to Lord Athelstane. Ciar'n Hinds ('Excalibur', HBO's 'Rome') gives probably the best performance as Sir Brian De Bois-Guilbert, the evil Templar knight whose hatred for Ivanhoe is as great as his passion for Rebecca (Susan Lynch), the Jewish healer. Lynch as Rebecca herself delivers one of the best performances as a woman whose forbidden passion for Ivanhoe saves the kingdom from the Templars and Prince John. There's even a brief appearance by Sian Philips (I, Claudius) as Elenore D'Aquitaine, the queen mother who comes to arbitrate between her feuding sons John and Richard. Another outstanding performance was by Christopher Lee (Scaramanga in Bond's 'Man with the Golden Gun) who makes his first performance for the BBC in over 50 years. His role as the sadistic and zealous Grand Templar is convincing enough to give anyone the creeps.
The costumes and armor properly depict the armaments and fashion of the 12th century. The series is filmed on location in Wales showing a few of the many medieval churches, abbeys, manors, and castles that dot its landscape thereby adding to the film's feeling of authenticity. The film is perhaps graphic in violence but this captures the brutality of medieval warfare quite well. Alltogether a great mini-series that has more positive qualities than shortcomings. The story is fluid and the acting is excellent. Definitely worth owning.
Movie Review: Good, Almost in Spite of Itself
Summary: 4 Stars
I can't say how faithful to the novel this version of Ivanhoe is, but I can say that the screenplay and, particularly, the direction are both a bit on the clumsy side. Still, the superb cast makes up for those weaknesses with style and grace: they make the heroes believably fallible (yet still admirably noble), the loves between the major characters subtle and sophisticated, and the villains more complex than the sort of cardboard cutouts you'd expect in a tale of medieval derring-do and intrigue. In fact, the fine acting alone makes this film worth watching, with Ciaran Hinds as de Bois-Guilbert and Christopher Lee in a disturbing yet charismatic turn as the Grand Master of the Knights Templar giving particuarly memorable performances. Outside of that, the director makes the most of a limited budget. The fight scenes sure won't make you forget Braveheart, but they're plenty graphic--surprisingly so at the end of the film--and about as exciting as you can expect from a TV movie with limited extras. It's not really the battles and jousts and duels, though, that keep Ivanhoe exciting outside of the fascinating personal relationships. Rather, it's all the political intrigues that hold your attention. Here there are factions within factions, and almost everyone is jockeying for power and paying the price of that power: loneliness, betrayal, assassinations, and the like. One of the more interesting political aspects of the movie is its big theme of anti-Semitism. The film reminds historically unaware viewers that hatred of Jews didn't just magically spring up in Nazi Germany in the 30's, but had been deeply seated in Europe for centuries.
Overall, despite more than a few rough patches, this is a fun, exciting movie. It has the romance and chivalry you'd expect, plus some depth and complexity that you probably wouldn't expect.
Movie Review: Wonderful Movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I watched this in its original broadcast on A&E and have remembered it fondly ever since. Though this DVD version has been on my wishlist for quite awhile, but have hesitated bying it due to its price tag, which I thought to be a little steep considering the age of the production. When it dropped to under $15 I ordered it immediately and watched it again as soon as I took it out of the box. While there is nothing special about the "special features", though I did enjoy the production notes style biography on Sir Walter Scott, and the transfer isnt much better than its original TV broadcast, I am very glad to own this version of Ivanhoe. I havent read the book since i was probably 11 or 12, so I cant answer the detractors who say its a poor adaptation of the source material, but I believe firmly that the story speaks for itself. Ivanhoe is a wonderful legend from the days of King Richard and Robin Hood and this adaptation in no way tarnishes that legend. The cast is solid, led by Stephen Waddington (Tarzan:The Lost City) who starred recently as King Richard himself in BBC's awesome Robin Hood series, and the amazing Cirian Hinds. True, I missed the colorful pagentry of the old Robert Taylor/Elizabeth Taylor version but when it comes down to which version will I watch more often? Its a tie. By the way, I gave this an extra star for the $15 price tag.Movie Review: "I was not brave enough to die for Richard... but for her..."
Summary: 4 Stars
In this adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, the title character is played by Steven Waddington with his Rowena played by Victoria Smurfit. Waddington did a moderately good job with the role, but nothing all together outstanding, Smurfit was a lovely fixture and played a great love smitten stubborn lady but like Waddington a little lackluster.
Now Ciaran Hinds on the other hand did an absolutely spectacular job, as did the Rebecca (Susan Lynch) to his Brian de Bois-Guilbert, the Templar Monk. I really believe these two stole the film, while watching it I began to look forward to their scenes together. He is perfectly tormented while she is a woman of her beliefs and virtue but I just kept begging her to say yes! The final scene between Ivanhoe and Guilbert is I think the absolute best scene of the film.
Christopher Lee has a small but terrifying role as the Templar Grand Master Lucas de Beaumanoir and James Cosmo is great as the father of Ivanhoe, who you might remember as the mean tough old Scottish man in Braveheart.
It really was quite a well done film, with wide shots of some stunning English landscape, with really fine acting from pretty much every actor, with an absolutely beautiful story to wrap it all up in.
And I do wish the DVD had subtitles because everyone speaks quite softly.