Prisoner Of Zenda (1922) DVD

While the weak and drunken King Rudolph of Ruritania awaits his coronation, he is drugged by his brother, Black Michael, who is preparing a coup d'etat. Michael's plans are thwarted by the substitution at Rudolph's coronation of Rassendyll, an Englishman who is the King's exact double. A rare find of this excellent version of the classic story. Rex Ingram was one of the great visual stylists of the silent cinema. Strong performances from Ingram's wife Alice Terry and the marvelous Lewis Stone. While Ramon Novarro has top billing, Stone actually has the lead role - Ramon's role is a supporting one as an evil nobleman. But he is splendid - darkly handsome with a little beard and a monocle - and convincingly evil. It is interesting to see him before he became type-cast as the energetic sweet boy - he shows here that he had more range as an actor than he was often allowed to show. 115 Minutes - Music Scores by Lou McMahon