Although the romance and derring do of medieval chivalry is best expressed in the famous MGM big screen version of Ivanhoe that starred Robert Taylor, this made for British TV Ivanhoe stays far more accurately to what Sir Walter Scott wrote. There are even characters that the MGM film eliminated from the story that are present here.
Anthony Andrews plays the hero Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe in this version and he's a knight who takes his vows quite seriously. That means help and aid to the weak and oppressed and Jews in medieval England were among the most oppressed. Although his heart is set on the Saxon princess Rowena played by Lysette Anthony, he gets a stirring for the medieval Jewish princess Rebecca as played here by Olivia Hussey.
But the one who's really crushing out on her big time is Sam Neill playing Brian Bois Guilbert a knight of the Templar order and the Templars are trying to topple Richard the Lion Heart from the throne and put Prince John on it. Sad for the years of his reign for the people of England they got a King John after the action of this film is over. As a Norman he and Andrews just don't like each other on general principles. Put in the romantic angle and even those who never read the book know that Andrews and Neill will be duking it out with lance and spear at the climax.
The Robert Taylor classic never covered the Templars and hence the anti-Semitism was muted. Here it bursts forth in full flower and the Templars who pronounce Hussey a witch are sure no knight who takes any Christian vows will champion an infidel.
By dint of his star power James Mason who plays Rebecca's father Isaac of York gets top billing. Mason is effective and the part is built up somewhat.
I do love Robert Taylor's Ivanhoe, one of my favorite of his films. But this version is one good Cliff's Notes version of the story.
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