Ivanhoe (1982 film)
Ivanhoe is a 1982 British-American made-for-television adventure drama epic historical romance film adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's 1819 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Douglas Camfield, with a screenplay written by John Gay. The film depicts the noble knight Ivanhoe returning home from the Third Crusade and becoming involved in a power struggle for the throne of England.
Ivanhoe | |
---|---|
Genre | Adventure Drama Epic Historical Romance |
Based on | Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott |
Written by | John Gay |
Directed by | Douglas Camfield |
Starring | James Mason Anthony Andrews Sam Neill Michael Hordern Olivia Hussey Lysette Anthony |
Music by | Allyn Ferguson |
Country of origin | United Kingdom United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Producers | Norman Rosemont William Hill (associate) |
Cinematography | John Coquillon |
Editor | Bill Blunden |
Running time | 142 minutes |
Production companies | Rosemont Productions Columbia Pictures Television |
Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | CBS (USA) ITV (UK) |
Picture format | Color |
Audio format | Mono |
Original release |
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Chronology | |
Preceded by | Ivanhoe (1952 film) Ivanhoe (1958 TV series) |
The score by Allyn Ferguson was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1982.[1] The film premiered on CBS in the USA on 23 February 1982 and was first broadcast in the UK on 26 September 1982 on ITV[2]
De Bois-Guilbert is treated more ambiguously than in most versions of the story. He develops some genuine affection for Rebecca towards the end, and although he could easily have won the fight against the wounded and weakened Ivanhoe, de Bois-Guilbert lowers his sword and allows himself to be killed, thus saving Rebecca's life.
The film featured Julian Glover reprising his role as Richard I from the 1965 Doctor Who serial The Crusade, which was likewise directed by Camfield.
In Sweden, where it first aired over TV 1 on 31 December 1982[3] the film's airing annually around Christmas-New Year has become a tradition.[4]
Cast
- James Mason as Isaac of York
- Anthony Andrews as Wilfred of Ivanhoe
- Sam Neill as Brian de Bois-Guilbert
- Michael Hordern as Cedric
- Olivia Hussey as Rebecca
- Lysette Anthony as Lady Rowena
- Julian Glover as King Richard
- George Innes as Wamba
- Ronald Pickup as Prince John
- John Rhys-Davies as Reginald Front-de-Boeuf
- David Robb as Robin Hood
- Stuart Wilson as Maurice de Bracy
- Michael Gothard as Athelstane
- Tony Haygarth as Friar Tuck
- Philip Locke as Grand Master
- Timothy Morand as Prince John's Attendant
- Kevin Stoney as Fitzurse
- Dean Harris as Phillippe
- John Hallam as Herald
- Kenneth Gilbert as Marshall
- Debbie Farrington as Alicia
- Stewart Bevan as Edward
- Geoffrey Beevers as Beaslin (as Geoffrey Veevers)
- John Forgeham as Front's Lieutenant
- Chloe Franks as Attendant
- Robert Russell as Leader
Production
The film was part of a slate of films from Columbia Pictures Television then under Herman Rush.[5] Anthony Andrews' casting was announced in September 1981.[6]
"Its impossible to make Ivanhoe without being a bit tongue in cheek," said Andrews.[7]
Michael Hordern said, "You could change our costumes from 12th Century to 20th Century and have us running about in automobiles instead of on horseback, and you could do the same story in terms of prejudice is still very strong. Human nature doesn't seem to have changed very much since Cedric's time." [8]
It was filmed at Pinewood studios and the historic Bamburgh and Alnwick Castles in Northumberland.
"The problem with Ivanhoe is that he is whiter than white, cleaner than clean," said Andrews. "He's a straight-cut hero with no rough edge. Each time he opens his mouth he says something incredibly just. The problem was to turn him into a human being."[9]
See also
References
- "Ivanhoe (1982) (TV) - Awards". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc.
- James Champman (2015). Ivanhoe. Swashbucklers. ISBN 9780719098932. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- "Ivanhoe" (in Swedish). Swedish Film Database. 31 December 1982. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ""Ivanhoe"-stjärnan [Sam Neil]: "Hatad av alla i Sverige"". Aftonbladet. Aftonbladet.se.
- SETTING A TV STUDIO BACK ON COURSE: RUSH: HE TURNED COLUMBIA AROUND Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 02 Sep 1981: g1.
- UPDATE Margulies, Lee. Los Angeles Times 6 Sep 1981: r5.
- Days M old Colvin, Clore. The Observer 27 Sep 1981: 31
- COVER STORY; ANDREWS STARS IN TV'S IVANHOE'; BRIDESHEAD'S' SEBASTIAN PLAYS SCOTT'S SWASHBUCKLING HERO: [FIRST Edition] Jack Thomas Globe Staff. Boston Globe 21 Feb 1982: 1.
- BEING CAREFUL IS NOT IN MY NATURE' Blau, Eleanor. New York Times 21 Feb 1982: A.21.