Rating: 
Summary: "Realistic" but dull
Review: Ivanhoe is a great classic of romantic literature. The creators of this version, however, abandoned the romantic aspects entirely in order to present what they see as how it "would have really been." In other words, they present Ivanhoe without any romance whatsoever. The knights present no pretence of chivalry, the women have no charm (Rowena is a churning cauldron of bitterness and nagging), Athelstane is no longer a comic relief, the fool is not foolish (or funny). The surprises of the book are revealed in advance (Ivanhoe reveals himself to his beloved before the tournament), so that there is no tension in the story. Rowena is played as a modern feminist and the addition of the Queen Mother as the deus ex machina in the end is lame. Can anyone really believe that a Queen Mother of that period would have insisted that her sons "hug" at the end? Or that Richard Lion-Heart would have done so?In short, the drama that arises in the book is absent in this version, which replaces it with a sort of modern psychological pseudo-drama about individual feelings. The absence of context is fatal. For example, there is no explanation of the Knights Templar, their role, their principles, or their hypocrisy. As a result, it is impossible to make sense of the trial of Rebecca. The best performances were by Christopher Lee and the actress portraying Rowena, although the character she portrays bears little resemblance to the Rowena of the book. I see no reason to remake a romantic novel without the romance, but this seems to be the modern way. As in the movie "Troy," which took away the Gods from the story, leaving the events inexplicable, this version takes away all the information, culture, and history that makes the story understandable and fun.
Rating: 
Summary: The moust realistic Ivanhoe to be seen !!
Review: One of the best movie ever in this genre.It includes everything;Love passion,acction,history,you name it.And the best about the movie is Ciaran Hinds who plays the tempelar Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert.He is outstanding.Buy the video, and enjoy!!!
Rating: 
Summary: good treatment
Review: the best screen treatment of this book,and now at a good price, too.ivanhoe is appropriately beefy, unlike former productions. terrific hair for all characters - you can almost see the lice on the saxons.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked Scott's Rowena, not this immature jealous shrew...
Review: The coolest thing about Walter Scott's Ivanhoe was that Rebecca and Rowena both loved Ivanhoe, both knew only one could have him, both knew which of them it could be, and admired and respected each other enough to not act like middle school girls about him. This TV Rowena could only have been written by someone in the 1990's entertainment industry. The 1982 version, with Lisette Anthony in the role, has a Rowena with integrity.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, I didn't like it.
Review: This DVD is great - although I must admit the beginning scenes somewhat seemed cheesy to me (A&E movies sometimes have that effect on me) -- but I repeat: only in the beginning. If you start getting the same impression during the first minutes of the movie, stick around & don't press that 'Stop' button! By the time the first hour ended, I was completely absorbed in the movie. It really does get that engaging... I agree with the other reviewers -- and even if no one else had mentioned this before, I would still say it: Ciaran Hinds OWNS this movie. The man has my respect; what a great performance! Susan Lynch was great too. And who better to play the part of the stern, intimidating Grand Master than Christopher Lee? Overall good movie, highly recommend it -- especially to fans of knights, swordfights, and the like. The movie does deviate from the book a bit, but not so much so that the story becomes completely "different". Go get the DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff!
Review: This DVD is great - although I must admit the beginning scenes somewhat seemed cheesy to me (A&E movies sometimes have that effect on me) -- but I repeat: only in the beginning. If you start getting the same impression during the first minutes of the movie, stick around & don't press that 'Stop' button! By the time the first hour ended, I was completely absorbed in the movie. It really does get that engaging... I agree with the other reviewers -- and even if no one else had mentioned this before, I would still say it: Ciaran Hinds OWNS this movie. The man has my respect; what a great performance! Susan Lynch was great too. And who better to play the part of the stern, intimidating Grand Master than Christopher Lee? Overall good movie, highly recommend it -- especially to fans of knights, swordfights, and the like. The movie does deviate from the book a bit, but not so much so that the story becomes completely "different". Go get the DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff!
Review: This DVD is great - although I must admit the beginning scenes somewhat seemed cheesy to me (A&E movies sometimes have that effect on me) -- but I repeat: only in the beginning. If you start getting the same impression during the first minutes of the movie, stick around & don't press that 'Stop' button! By the time the first hour ended, I was completely absorbed in the movie. It really does get that engaging... I agree with the other reviewers -- and even if no one else had mentioned this before, I would still say it: Ciaran Hinds OWNS this movie. The man has my respect; what a great performance! Susan Lynch was great too. And who better to play the part of the stern, intimidating Grand Master than Christopher Lee? Overall good movie, highly recommend it -- especially to fans of knights, swordfights, and the like. The movie does deviate from the book a bit, but not so much so that the story becomes completely "different". Go get the DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: Really worth seeing!
Review: This is almost like the book by Walter Scott. I'm only disappointed that Ivanhoe falls in love with Rebecca since in the book he loves Rowena, the one I think is right for him. The actors are all great! I especially liked Robin Hood and Rowena.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: This is one of my favorite book adaptations ever. It's finely crafted and the characters are portrayed realistically. What's more, it has it all, romance, treachery, gritty (realistic) scenes and Ciaran Hinds. :) Oh, my God. He's a must see. If you love the medieval genre do not miss this film! Did I mention C. Hinds? Well as others have said, the R.A. actor IS the film, taking it over completely, no question. I have no idea why Steve Waddington gets top billing b/c he's just okay, okay, he's dull as dishwater and deserves his love, Rowena who is a bit bland too. Rebecca and Brian Bois de-Guilbert are wonderful, however. And for those who whine that the movie did not stick to the book, well I say why should it? This is the movie the director decided to make; all book adaptations are just that - adaptations and are not there to copy the book vis a vis. If you love Ivanhoe the book, don't bother with this b/c you'll just complain. But if you love a finely crafted medeival, this is your film. No paranormal, no bull about chivalry, just the way it was - and one more thing about Walter Scott -- he totally romanticised this period in Norman/Saxon/Crusade history so you should take that into consideration when comparing book to film. The fact is that the knights templar were not saints and many were burned at the stake for their die hard beliefs as well as the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of saracens.
Rating:
Summary: Grittily superior to a prissy book
Review: This is one of my favourite portrails of early mediveal life in all it gritty detail. The adaptation takes all of Walter Scott's annoying Deux et Machina out and leaves the watcher with a gripping, dynamic tale. The care that is taken with the minor as well as major details is a joy to behold with great costumes and settings and a wonderfully authentc feel. Ciarán Hinds is absolutely superb as the Templar Sir Bois-Gilbert as is Christopher Lee as the Templar Grand Master Sir Lucard de Beaumanoir and Susan Lynch as Rebecca. Steven Waddington's Ivanhoe is good, but definitely diminished by the three previous actors. Whilst more Brannagh's Henry V than Olivier's I feel that this adaptation is only strengthened by that fact and would be replacing my tape version with a DVD one today if it was available as region 2.
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