| The Prisoner of Zenda | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Prisoner_of_zenda.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Quine |
| Screenplay by | Dick Clement Ian La Frenais |
| Based on | The Prisoner of Zenda 1894 novel by Anthony Hope |
| Produced by | Walter Mirisch |
| Starring | Peter Sellers Lynne Frederick Lionel Jeffries Elke Sommer |
| Cinematography | Arthur Ibbetson |
| Music by | Henry Mancini |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million[1] |
| Box office | $7.65 million (US/Canada rentals)[2][3] |
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.[4] 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.[5]
- ^ "The Prisoner of Zenda – History". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ "Big Rental Films of 1979". Variety. January 9, 1980. 70.
- ^ "The Prisoner of Zenda". IMDb. 17 August 1979.
- ^ "Prisoner of Zenda, The (1979) – Misc Notes". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ "One Hundred Unreleased Scores". www.filmscoremonthly.com.