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Ivanhoe (1982 film)

Ivanhoe is a 1982 British-American made-for-television historical romance film. An adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's 1819 novel of the same name, it stars Anthony Andrews in the title role. The film was directed by Douglas Camfield, with a screenplay written by John Gay. It depicts the noble knight Ivanhoe returning home from the Third Crusade and becoming involved in a power struggle for the throne of England.

Brian de Bois-Guilbert is treated more ambiguously than in most versions of the story. He develops some genuine affection for Rebecca of York towards the end, and although he could easily have won the fight against the wounded and weakened Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Brian de Bois-Guilbert lowers his sword and allows himself to be killed, thus saving Rebecca's life.

Plot summary

Upon returning from the Crusades, Ivanhoe, Robin Hood and the Saxons work to restore King Richard to the throne with opposition from Prince John, his Norman knights, and the Knights Templar.

Cast

Anthony Andrews – Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Cedric's son.
Sam Neill – Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Michael Hordern – Lord Cedric of Rotherwood
James Mason – Isaac of York, Jewish money-lender.
Olivia Hussey – Rebecca of York, Isaac's daughter.
Lysette Anthony – Lady Rowena, Cedric's ward.
Julian Glover – King Richard I Plantagenet, the Black Knight.
Ronald Pickup – Prince John Plantagenet, Richard's brother and usurper.
John Rhys-Davies – Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf
Stuart Wilson – Sir Maurice de Bracy
George Innes – Wamba (son of Witless), Cedric's jester.
David Robb – Robert of Locksley, Robin Hood.
Tony Haygarth – Friar Tuck.
Michael Gothard – Sir Athelstane of Coningsburgh
Philip Locke – Lucas de Beaumanoir, Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
Timothy Morand – Prince John's Attendant
Kevin Stoney – Fitzurse, Prince John's advisor.
Dean Harris – Phillippe
John Hallam – Herald
Kenneth Gilbert – Marshall
Debbie Farrington – Alicia
Stewart Bevan – Edward, member of the Order of the Knights Templar.
Geoffrey Beevers – Beaslin (as Geoffrey Veevers)
John Forgeham – Front-de-Boeuf's Lieutenant
Chloe Franks – Attendant
Robert Russell – Leader
Derek Lyons – Squire

Production

The film was part of a slate of films from Columbia Pictures Television then under Herman Rush. Anthony Andrews' casting was announced in September 1981. "It's impossible to make Ivanhoe without being a bit tongue in cheek," said Andrews.

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."

It was filmed at Pinewood Studios and the historic Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle 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."

Julian Glover had played the role of Richard I previously in the Doctor Who serial The Crusade (1965), which was also directed by Camfield.