Watch Ivanhoe

In 1982, a film adaptation of the classic novel "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott was released starring James Mason as Cedric the Saxon, Anthony Andrews as Ivanhoe, and Sam Neill as Brian de Bois-Guilbert. The story is set in medieval England during 12th century, when Richard the Lionheart is fighting in the Crusades and his scheming brother, Prince John, is ruling the kingdom.

At the beginning of the film, we see Ivanhoe returning from the Crusades, disguised as a pilgrim, to find that his father, a nobleman loyal to King Richard, has disowned him for supporting the King. Meanwhile, Prince John has made an alliance with the powerful Norman barons, who have taken control of most of England's land and oppressed the native Saxons. Cedric, a proud Saxon, wants his daughter Rowena to marry Athelstane, a Saxon prince, in order to unite the Saxon nobles against the Normans. However, Rowena loves Ivanhoe and secretly hopes that they will be able to marry.

The plot thickens when Ivanhoe and his loyal friend Gurth rescue the Jewish moneylender Isaac of York and his daughter Rebecca from being robbed by highwaymen. This leads to a chain of events that involves love, betrayal, and chivalry. Ivanhoe falls in love with Rebecca, who is initially hesitant to return his feelings because she knows that their different religions and social positions make a future together almost impossible. Meanwhile, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, a Norman knight who is both Ivanhoe's rival for Rebecca's affections and Rowena's would-be kidnapper, becomes obsessed with Rebecca and uses his power to try to force her to marry him.

As Ivanhoe and his fellow knights, including King Richard's loyal follower Locksley (played by Julian Glover), seek to foil Prince John's treacherous plans and restore King Richard to the throne, they face many obstacles, including fights in tournaments and battles with Norman soldiers. Ultimately, they gather at a castle on the outskirts of York for the climactic confrontation, where the fates of Ivanhoe, Rebecca, Rowena, and Prince John are decided.

The film "Ivanhoe" of 1982 is a sprawling epic that features stunning medieval sets and costumes as well as thrilling medieval action sequences. The performances by the main actors are solid, with James Mason providing a stern and gruff interpretation of the role of Cedric. Anthony Andrews brings Ivanhoe to life as a brave and chivalrous knight who is torn between loyalty to his family and his love for Rebecca. Sam Neill's portrayal of Brian de Bois-Guilbert, one of the most complex and intriguing characters in the story, is a standout performance that showcases his range as an actor.

The film does take some liberties with the original novel, mostly in terms of condensing the story and removing some subplots and characters. However, these changes are understandable given the constraints of a film adaptation. The script by John Gay (who also wrote the acclaimed TV series "The Adventures of Robin Hood") manages to capture the spirit of the novel while keeping the story moving and the dialogue engaging.

Overall, "Ivanhoe" is a well-made and entertaining film that offers a satisfying mix of romance, action, and medieval atmosphere. It is a great choice for fans of historical dramas and adventure films, as well as anyone interested in the timeless themes of honor, love, and bravery.

Ivanhoe is a 1982 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.