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starring: Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Chris Barnes, David Barrass, Niven Boyd, Nick Brimbledirected by: Stuart Orme
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304441664
Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 6304441665
Label: A&E Home Video
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: A&E Home Video
Release Date: March 18, 1997
Running Time: 270 minutes
Sales Rank: 52200
Studio: A&E Home Video
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
This grand six-part adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's rousing adventure of the Middle Ages makes the most of its generous running time. In the course of five hours, director Stuart Orme tells the epic tale of the idealistic young knight Ivanhoe (Steven Waddington) and his battle against the evil Templar Bois-Guilbert (Ciarán Hinds, whose thoughtful performance gives his dark character a compelling dimension). Caught between the rivalries and religious struggles are Ivanhoe's betrothed Rowena (Victoria Smurfit) and the brave, beautiful Jewess healer Rebecca (Susan Lynch), who wins Ivanhoe's heart with her courage. Set against the historical backdrop of a Britain straining under the corrupt rule of Prince John while Richard the Lionhearted fights in the Crusades, director Stuart Orme makes up for a small budget (the crowd scenes are somewhat skimpy) with sweep, scale, and the lush green British countryside of verdant forests and rolling hills, where ancient castles still stand. While this production can't compete with the majesty of the gorgeous 1952 Hollywood production, Orme creates his own vision in which Merrye Olde England is grounded in earthy colors, creating a country of both sunny fields and dark, dangerous timberlands, open sunlit courts, and cramped candlelit inns. The uniformly superb cast etches vivid characters and the length allows the novel's rich array of subplots to play out (including appearances by Robin Hood and his men and the Black Knight) and slowly wind together for the exciting conclusion. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Ivanhoe on DVD
Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe
This BBC production of Ivanhoe was made in 1997 but I had not come across it before. It is billed as a faithful adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's novel and, on the whole this is true of the main events in the book, but a number of details have been changed presumably because of the different requirements for television productions. As far as I can tell this version is overly fond of tidying up loose ends by killing off a number of characters who actually survive in ... Read More
Rating:  - Best script, best casting I have ever seen of Ivanhoe
This is my all time favorite production of Ivanhoe. In this version, you do not encounter stick figures masquerading as characters. Ivanhoe is carefully delineated as is Cedric, the swineherd and for once the fool was not Ivanhoe's Squire! the usual collective "bad guys" of Hollywood productions gives way to three distinct personalities, and one of them has it in for Ivanhoe. Hollywood deserves to have their nose rubbed in their productions of previous Ivanhoes, like a naughty puppy. You can even ... Read More
Rating: - Great adaption
This is a wonderful adaption of Ivanhoe. One feels a part of the drama. After watching the Hollywood version with Robert Taylor and Liz Taylor, I was a bit skeptical of purchasing this one. Once again A&E produced a wonderful movie based on great literature and stays fairly true to the story. Definitely worth your time and money.
Rating:  - disappointing
I had high hopes that this version would be true to the book, but I guess that is too much to ask in a movie. I have read and reread the novel, and this version strays in certain aspects. I was glad they included Gurth and Athelstane, but I did not appreciate their subplot of Ivanhoe trying to clear his name of treason, which is completely invention. The word that comes to mind for this version is "crude." I know that medieval life was probably very crude, but I do not appreciate seeing it on screen. ... Read More
Rating: - Classic adventure
I have always loved Ivanhoe from the time I first saw Robert Taylor's Hollywood extravaganza. However, after reading the book as a youth, I was glad to see this mini-series expound the story with greater detail and accuracy. I would highly recommend this adaptation to all lovers and students of the classics
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