Introduction

Ivanhoe was a 1997 American/British television mini-series based on the 1819 novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.

After returning from the Third Crusade in the Holy Land, Ivanhoe discovers that England is under the rule of the corrupt Prince John.

Outline

This adaptation of Sir Walter Scott’s novel is set in 1192 AD and depicts a disinherited knight who is accused of treachery. He returns anonymously to his home in England, to clear his name and win his lady love. King Richard had been a prisoner in an Austrian dungeon, but is now returning to an England ruled by Prince John.

The production claims realism, mainly through a depiction of a very rough and poverty stricken time; the producers claim this is in contrast to earlier, “sanitized” versions. People wear layers of often old, sometimes ragged clothing to keep the cold out, are sometimes dirty, and have long shaggy hair and beards.

Cast

• Steven Waddington as Ivanhoe.
• Ciaran Madden as Urfried.
• Ciarán Hinds as Bois Guilbert.
• Susan Lynch as Rebecca.
• Jimmy Chisholm as Wamba.
• Nick Brimble as Front de Boeuf.
• Valentine Pelka as Maurice de Bracy.
• David Nicholls as Little John.
• James Cosmo as Cedric.
• Chris Walker as Athelstane.
• Simon Donald as Louis Winklebrand.
• Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Prior Aymer.
• Dermot Keaney as Brother Ambrose.
• Trevor Cooper as Gurth.
• Ron Donachie as Friar Tuck.
• Aden Gillett as Robin of Locksley.
• David Horovitch as Isaac.
• Rory Edwards as King Richard.
• Victoria Smurfit as Rowena.
• Peter Guinness as Montfitchet.
• Christopher Lee as Beaumanoir.
• Jack Klaff as Malvoisin.
• Peter Needham as Abbot.
• David Barrass as Hubert.
• Renny Krupinski as Bardon.
• Ralph Brown as Prince John.
• Ronald Pickup as Fitzurse.
• Siân Phillips as Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Production

Parts of the series were shot at Doune Castle, Hermitage Castle in the Scottish Borders and at Craigmillar Castle and Blackness Castle near Edinburgh.

Release

The series has been released with 6 VHS tapes included in the set and as a 2 DVD set.

Trivia

• This was Christopher Lee’s first acting role for the BBC since 1947.
• This was the second “Ivanhoe” television production in which Ronald Pickup (Waldemar Fitzurse) appeared.
  • The first was Ivanhoe (1982), in which he played Prince John.

Ivanhoe Series

• Episode 01.
• Episode 02.
• Episode 03.
• Episode 04.
• Episode 05.
• Episode 06.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Stuart Orme … (6 episodes, 1997).
• Producer(s):
  • Jeremy Gwilt … producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Chris Parr … executive producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Kevan Van Thompson … associate producer (6 episodes, 1997).
• Writer(s):
  • Deborah Cook … (adaptation) (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Walter Scott … (novel) (6 episodes, 1997).
• Music:
  • Colin Towns … (6 episodes, 1997).
• Cinematography:
  • Clive Tickner … (6 episodes, 1997).
• Editor(s):
  • David Yardley … (6 episodes, 1997).
• Production:
  • A+E Networks.
  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
• Distributor(s):
  • Ascot Elite Home Entertainment (2011) (Germany) (DVD).
• Release Date: 12 January 1997 to 16 February 1997.
• Rating: 12.
• Running Time: 50 minutes.
• Country: UK and US.
• Language: English.

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