The Prisoner of Zenda (1979)
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- PG
- 1h 48min
- Adventure, Comedy
- 17 Aug 1979 (USA)
- Movie
In order to save King Rudolph of Ruritania from assassins and murderous usurpers, the kingdom hires a look-a-like London cabby to impersonate the Monarch.
Director:
Writers:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Peter Sellers | ... |
Rudolf IV / Rudolf V / Syd Frewin
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| Lynne Frederick | ... |
Princess Flavia
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| Lionel Jeffries | ... |
General Sapt
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| Elke Sommer | ... |
The Countess
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| Gregory Sierra | ... |
The Count
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| Jeremy Kemp | ... |
Duke Michael
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| Catherine Schell | ... |
Antoinette
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| Simon Williams | ... |
Fritz
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| Stuart Wilson | ... |
Rupert of Hentzau
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| Norman Rossington | ... |
Bruno
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| John Laurie | ... |
Archbishop
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| Graham Stark | ... |
Erik
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| Michael Balfour | ... |
Luger
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Arthur Howard | ... |
Deacon
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| Ian Abercrombie | ... |
Johann
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| Michael Segal | ... |
Conductor
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Harry Wüstenhagen |
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Erik Cord | ... |
(uncredited)
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| Brendan Dillon | ... |
Joseph (uncredited)
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Joe Dunne | ... |
(uncredited)
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| Frank Gatliff | ... |
Casino Servant (uncredited)
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Dick Geary | ... |
(uncredited)
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Mickey Gilbert | ... |
(uncredited)
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| Robert Gillespie | ... |
Andrews (uncredited)
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| Mike Grady | ... |
Villager (uncredited)
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| Larry Holt | ... |
(uncredited)
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| John Hudkins | ... |
(uncredited)
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| John Moio | ... |
(uncredited)
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Victor Paul | ... |
(uncredited)
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Drina Pavlovic | ... |
Lady-in-waiting (uncredited)
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| Gil Perkins | ... |
(uncredited)
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George Robotham | ... |
(uncredited)
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| Joe Yrigoyen | ... |
(uncredited)
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Directed by
| Richard Quine | ||
Written by
| Dick Clement | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Ian La Frenais | ... | (screenplay) |
| Anthony Hope | ... | (novel "The Prisoner of Zenda") |
| Edward E. Rose | ... | (dramatisation) (as Edward Rose) |
Produced by
| Peter Macgregor-Scott | ... | associate producer |
| Walter Mirisch | ... | producer |
Music by
| Henry Mancini | ||
Cinematography by
| Arthur Ibbetson | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Byron 'Buzz' Brandt | ||
Editorial Department
| Bill Theobald | ... | assistant film editor |
Casting By
| Lesley De Pettit | ||
Production Design by
| John J. Lloyd | ||
Art Direction by
| Herwig Libowitzky | ||
Set Decoration by
| Joe Chevalier | ||
| Marc E. Meyer Jr. | ... | (as Marc Meyer) |
Costume Design by
| Sue Yelland | ... | (as Susan Yelland) |
Makeup Department
| Dick Dawson | ... | makeup artist |
| Dorothy Fix | ... | hair stylist |
| Harry Frampton | ... | makeup artist |
| Bobbie Smith | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Peter Naguschewski | ... | second unit manager |
| Laci von Ronay | ... | production manager |
| Charles Clement | ... | post production operations head (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| David Menteer | ... | assistant director |
| Lawrence Mirisch | ... | assistant director: second unit (as Larry Mirisch) |
| Ted Morley | ... | assistant director |
| Louis Race | ... | second assistant director |
| David Tomblin | ... | second unit director |
| Victor Tourjansky | ... | assistant director |
| David Wimbury | ... | second assistant director |
| Don French | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Art Hanson | ... | property master |
| Jack Towns | ... | property master |
| Dave Everall | ... | rigger (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Lowell Harris | ... | sound |
| Robert L. Hoyt | ... | sound re-recordist |
| Brian Marshall | ... | sound |
| Vince Melandri | ... | dialogue loop editor |
| James Troutman | ... | sound effects editor (as Jim Troutman) |
| Roger Sword | ... | sound editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| A. Paul Pollard | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Dennis Glouner | ... | matte photography |
| Bill Taylor | ... | matte photography |
| Albert Whitlock | ... | special visual effects |
| Henry Schoessler | ... | matte crew (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Erik Cord | ... | stunts (as Eric Cord) |
| Joe Dunne | ... | stunts |
| Dick Geary | ... | stunts |
| Mickey Gilbert | ... | stunts |
| Larry Holt | ... | stunts |
| John Hudkins | ... | stunts |
| John Moio | ... | stunts |
| Victor Paul | ... | stunts |
| Gil Perkins | ... | stunts |
| George Robotham | ... | stunt coordinator / stunts |
| Joe Yrigoyen | ... | stunts |
| Orwin C. Harvey | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Jaysen Hayes | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Pete Kellett | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Peter Biddle | ... | assistant camera |
| Howard Block | ... | camera operator |
| David Cadwallader | ... | key grip |
| Al Chapman | ... | assistant camera |
| Steve Claydon | ... | assistant camera |
| Joe Cole | ... | gaffer |
| Freddie Cooper | ... | camera operator |
| Bob Feller | ... | assistant camera |
| Erich Kristufek | ... | gaffer |
| Joe Riggio | ... | key grip |
| H.A.R. Thomson | ... | camera operator: second unit (as Bob Thompson) |
| Frank Watts | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Harry L. Wolf | ... | additional photographer |
| Maurice Gillett | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
| Chris Warren | ... | video operator (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Izzy Berne | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| James Smith | ... | wardrobe supervisor (as Jimmy Smith) |
Music Department
| Stephen A. Hope | ... | music editor |
| Jack Hayes | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Bob Forrest | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Gerhard Rupp | ... | driver: Richard Quine (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Carl Lawrence Ludwig | ... | stand-in (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1979) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1980) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Filmes Lusomundo (1980) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- MCA Home Video (1983) (United States) (video)
- MIG Film (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
- Edel Media & Entertainment (2014) (Germany) (DVD) (Hollywoods Top Legenden Collection)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (France) (theatrical)
- Universal Films of India (1982) (India) (theatrical)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2022) (Australia) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Berman's and Nathan's (costumes)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Anthony Hope's classic tale gets a decidedly 'un-classic' treatment at the hands of Peter Sellers. Following the story somewhat, friends of the new King Rudolph of Ruritania fear for his life, and switch him with a look-a-like London cabby. Throw in two(!) lovely blondes, treachery, and a battle for life and honour, and enjoy life at its zaniest.
Written by Derek Picken |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Is the cabbie the King or is the King the cabbie ? Confusion reigns in Ruritania. See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $12,500,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $2,425,315, 28 May 1979 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | This movie was made and released about eighty-five years after Anthony Hope's novel "The Prisoner of Zenda" was first published in 1894. See more » |
| Goofs | As Peter Sellers and his entourage approach the city in this Ruritarian romantic adventure, a tank truck and two Volkswagens can be seen on the horizon. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Promise, The Prisoner of Zenda, Saint Jack, Alien, Battlestar Galactica, The Brood, The Passage (1979). See more » |
| Quotes |
Rudolf IV:
Michael, why do you hate me so? Duke Michael: Because you are conceited, arrogant, spineless, selfish, shallow, pity, pompous and pitiful! Rudolf IV: But apart from that? See more » |