"Ivanhoe," filmed in bright techicolor was nominated for best picture in 1952.

Miklos Rosza again provides us with a major musical score. I always felt that his scores, so rich in textures, would be a prelude to his Oscar-winning score in "Ben-Hur." (1959)

The film deals with the ongoing fight between the Anglo-Saxons and Normans, the latter having ruled England since the infamous Battle of Hastings in 1066. While fighting in the crusades, Richard the Lionhearted has been kidnapped and held captive in Austria. This has been done with the help of the Austrian emperor Leopold and Prince John, Richard's evil brother, who assumes the throne in his brother's absence.

I laughed at the beginning of the film when Robert Taylor, who plays Ivanhoe, loyal to Richard, asks someone for a translation as he doesn't read Austrian. Didn't they mean German? While it is true that Germany did not become a unified country until 1871 following the Franco-Prussian war, the dialect spoken in the entire region was German.

Taylor rallies to the aid of his people. Hurt, he is given refuge by the Jewess Rebecca, played with warmth and skill by Elizabeth Taylor. Her father, Isaac the Jew, played by the always serious Felix Aylmer, promises to help pay the ransom for Richard so that his people can have religious toleration in England. Naturally, Rebecca loves Ivanhoe but so does Lady Rowena played by a much reserved Joan Fontaine. Her guardian, the father of Ivanhoe in the film, is portrayed by Finlay Currie, who played in numerous bible films.

The Technicolor and cinematography are breathtaking in the film.

A story of love and devotion, especially that of George Sanders, who sacrifices all for Rebecca.

This loyal colorful classic account of Sir Walter Scott about knighthood flourishing in 12th Century medieval England is filmed under the direction of Richard Thorpe...

We see lavish sets, splendid scenery, castles, halls, courts, noble knights, gorgeous maidens, sumptuous ornaments, fancy dresses, jousting fields, tournaments, elegant pavilions, brilliant tents, costumed horses, armors, swords, shields, bows and arrows...

To seek the freedom of King Richard The Lion-Hearted imprisoned by Leopold of Austria, a Saxon knight, Wilfrid of Ivanhoe (Robert Taylor),asks the help of Isaac of York (Felix Aylmer),a persecuted Jewish merchant, to raise l50,000 marks of silver... Prince John (Guy Rolfe),his treacherous brother, was conspiring with the Norman Knights to seize his throne..

The best moments of film were: When Ivanhoe, disguised as a Black Knight, enters the tournament at Ashby; the siege of Torquilstone Castle; the attack of Locksley and his bowmen; and the dramatic fight-to-the-death, with mace and ax, between Bois Guilbert and Ivanhoe...

Robert Taylor is the exact choice for a handsome, vigorous, gentile medieval hero who loves Rowena, and he is loved by Rebecca, creating a romantic triangle... Taylor plays the part with dignity, vitality and energy, rising high the age of Chivalry...

Elizabeth Taylor is sweet, sincere and beautiful... We see love through her beautiful violet eyes... Joan Fontaine, at the contrary, is far to be engaged with the part... She seems so cold and indifferent as the Saxon heiress...

George Sanders gives a splendid performance as the villainous Norman knight whose heart was stronger than his sword... He wants Rebecca at any price...

Robert Douglas plays the ambitious Sir Hugh De Bracy who had a taste for beauty and love for money... This great actor crossed swords with Errol Flynn in "Adventures of Don Juan," with Burt Lancaster in "The Flame and the Arrow," with Cornel Wilde in "At Sword's Point," and with Lawrence Harvey in King Richard and the Crusaders."

With three Academy Award Nominations for Best Picture, Best cinematography, and Best Score, "Ivanhoe" remains a spectacular motion picture rich in action epics...

I can't comment on the film as an adaption but I did find that it was quite entertaining standing alone. Some have criticized Robert Taylor for being too stiff, but I found him to be suitably formal and chivalrous. Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Fontaine both provided ample glamour and grace to their roles. They are also both very photogenic to say the least. The performance of George Sanders intrigued me the most. Though a villain, he actually became more sympathetic to me as the movie progressed. The relationship of the four major characters was what kept me interested. Although I am sure it took careful planning and execution (and a lot of extras) to stage the fight scenes, I actually thought they were quite perfunctory. Solid if not spectacular, 7/10.