The ''Ivanhoe'' films are based on the novel by

Sir Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels '' Ivanhoe'', '' Rob Roy' ...

. The novel has been made into a film several times; starting with two adaptations in '' Ivanhoe'' (in the US and UK) in 1913. In MGM's 1952 version of ''Ivanhoe'', Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor played Ivanhoe and Rebecca, while

Joan Fontaine Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (October 22, 1917 – December 15, 2013), known professionally as Joan Fontaine, was a British-American actress who is best known for her starring roles in Hollywood films during the "Golden Age". Fontaine appeared ...

was Rowena.

George Sanders George Henry Sanders (3 July 1906 – 25 April 1972) was a British actor and singer whose career spanned over 40 years. His heavy, upper-class English accent and smooth, bass voice often led him to be cast as sophisticated but villainous chara ...

also co-starred. The movie was produced in the grand MGM style in Technicolor, and was a great success. In 1982 a made-for-television version, half an hour longer than the 1952 film, was made, starring Anthony Andrews as Ivanhoe. Other actors involved in this version were

John Rhys-Davies John Rhys-Davies (born 5 May 1944) is a Welsh actor best known for portraying Sallah in the ''Indiana Jones'' franchise and Gimli in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy. His other roles include Michael Malone in the 1993 series ''The Untouch ...

and

Sam Neill Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand actor. Neill's near-50 year career has included leading roles in both dramas and blockbusters. Considered an "international leading man", he has been regarded as one o ...

. Rebecca was played by

Olivia Hussey Olivia Hussey (born Olivia Osuna; 17 April 1951) is an English film, stage, and television actress. Her awards include a Golden Globe Award and a David di Donatello Award. The daughter of Argentine opera singer Andrés Osuna, Hussey was born i ...

, and James Mason played Isaac of York.

1997 ''Ivanhoe'' television mini-series

A&E TV Networks
an
BBC
teamed up in 1997 to produce a TV mini-series based on Sir Walter Scott's classic, eponymous novel. The 5-hour series is directed b
Stuart Orme
with a screenplay written b
Deborah Cook
The saga hosts a cast of many illustrious names from within the British acting community.
Steven Waddington
stars as the hero, Sir Wilfred o
Ivanhoe
He is a Saxon knight in the service of the lion-hearted Norman King Richard I
Rory Edwards
during the Holy Crusades. After successfully sacking the Muslim-held town of Acre, Richard and his company undertake a return journey to England. Whilst traveling through Austria, they are taken prisoner by the Arch-duke Leopold. It is within an Austrian dungeon that the series begins and the protagonist is introduced. Meanwhile, in his native England, Ivanhoe's reputation has become tainted with allegations of treason to his king. As a result, his father, Lord Cedric of Rotherwood
James Cosmo
, has disowned him, and his land holdings have become forfeit to the Norman aristocracy. Thus we find Sir Wilfred back in England thirteen months later, determined to clear his name and reclaim his life. He is assisted in his endeavors by Gurth
Trevor Cooper
, Ivanhoe's one-time squire and Lord Cedric's swineherd, as well as Wamba
Jimmy Chisolm
, Lord Cedric's nephew and resident fool. Also aiding Ivanhoe are the money-lender Isaac of York
David Horovitch
and his daughter Rebecca
Susan Lynch
, a healer and wise-woman. Cameos are made by Robin Hood
Aden Gillett
, Little John
David Nicholls
, and Friar Tuck
Ron Donachie
. Ivanhoe's chief nemeses include Richard's devious brother Prince John of Anjou
Ralph Brown
, and his Norman champions: Templar knight (and Ivanhoe's former Crusades compatriot) Sir Brian de Bois-Gilbert
Ciaran Hinds
, Sir Maurice de Bracy
Valentine Pelka
, and Sir Reginald Front de Boeuf
Nick Brimble
. Rounding out the cast of antagonists are the zealous Templar Grand Master Lucas de Beauxmanois
Christopher Lee
and Prince John's Chancellor and master-politician Waldemar Fitzurse
Ronald Pickup
. The story features a dizzying array of intersecting plot-arcs, and coincidental meetings are abundant. Among the conflicts that Ivanhoe faces is the betrothal of his childhood sweetheart (and ward of Lord Cedric) Rowena
(Victoria Smurfit
to Lord Aethelstane
Chris Walker
, last of the royal Saxon line of Alfred the Great. Ivanhoe also must contend with de Bois-Gilbert's efforts to permanently prevent him from exposing de Bois-Gilbert as the true traitor to King Richard. At the crossroads where love, loyalty, betrayal, kidnapping, murder, arson, intrigue, espionage, assassination, and warfare meet, there you'll fin
''Ivanhoe''

External links

*{{IMDb title, id=0044760, title=Ivanhoe ru:Айвенго (фильм, 1952)