Pluskylang
Great Film overall
Brendon Jones
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Geraldine
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
karl-jonas
As a classic storytale it has it all. A great plot, characters you fall in love with, evil bad guys etc But the film has aged well as a drama also, I reckon now way later... The cast is excellent. Top quality actors all over the place. And Olivia Hussey in this role, breaks my heart every time. I'd say this is one of those classic films that you can watch as a kid, with your parents and their parents and you will all enjoy it (for the same or different reasons) It is a crying shame if it's not available on DVD. My VHS copy is falling apart, but I'm lucky since Swedish National Television airs Ivanhoe every Christmas....
Blueghost
Why this isn't on DVD I'll never understand. This production is far superior to the joint A&E-BBC production that aired in the 90s. And as far as made-for-TV movies go, this one has some pretty lavish production values going for it. Rivaled only by the version starring Elizabeth Taylor a couple decades before.They don't make TV like this anymore, and it's a real shame. This particular production axes a lot of the extraneous plot elements from Walter Scott's original tale, and cuts right to the dramatic heart of the matter by focusing on the love triangle.The sets and locations are pretty lavish for a TV production, but are not overblown. Story and budget sync perfectly together as the tale of Ivanhoe is presented with great medieval authenticity.There are some minor glitches here and there. The armor for the knights is that fake stage stuff instead of the real McCoy, but that's not a big deal. Some of the leads are wearing feathered hair which was in style during the early 80s, but again that's just a mild fashion thing.The acting in this film is far superior to other productions of this story. Solid performances are combined with good costuming and respectable locations for a production that should really be preserved on DVD. Many a familiar name from pre-80s film and television will be present, and these actors performances add great depth and dimension to their characters.Definitely a must watch. If you find yourself a copy, and are a fan of the story, then do yourself a favor and see this version at least once.Enjoy!DVD Review, May 18th 2009WOW! From a worn and faded VHS tape dupe to a crisp, clean, color corrected copy on DVD. Incredible stuff. Buy a copy now. :-)
teetah
I love this movie. Everyone is playing larger than life, but that's fine with me. Olivia Hussey is wonderful as Rebecca. Anthony Andrews is great in any period part (or any other, for that matter). It took me a few viewings to figure out that that really was Sam Neill, as he's not as understated as I'm used to seeing him play. Lysette Anthony is pretty as Ivanhoe's love, if a bit less convincing as someone who would cause him to be faithful to her forever. The Black Knight coming to Ivanhoe's rescue is an interesting move. Basically everything that one other reviewer hated most about this movie were the things I liked the best.If they would put this out on DVD I'd be extremely happy.
Caledonia Twin #1
Pride and prejudice, betrayal and revenge, lust and purity, kidnappings, tournaments, and ransoms... what better ingredients could be assembled in one film? This retelling of Ivanhoe has many exceptional qualities, including first-rate cinematography and chivalric music. But the quality of this Ivanhoe lies in the casting. James Mason plays an excellent Isaac of York, and Olivia Hussey's Rebecca is every bit as passionate as Elizabeth Taylor's. Lysette Anthony has all the ingenue quality of a Saxon princess; yet one wonders whom Ivanhoe would have chosen to marry if race and religious prejudices had not been the order of the day. One of the strengths of this film was, to my mind, the triumvirate of villains Bois-Guilbert, de Bracy, and Front de Boeuf. Sam Neill is brilliant as the knight torn between his order and his obsession with a "Jewess heathen", and Stuart Wilson shines in the supporting role of the besotted de Bracy. This film was released on video at one point, as I rented it from a video store. I highly recommend it.
