History Film / Ivanhoe

''Ivanhoe'' is the 1952 Creator/MetroGoldwynMayer movie adaptation of Creator/WalterScott's [[Literature/{{Ivanhoe}} eponymous novel]], directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Creator/RobertTaylor as Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Creator/ElizabethTaylor (no relation to Robert) as Rebecca, Creator/JoanFontaine as Rowena, Creator/GeorgeSanders as De Bois-Guilbert, Felix Aylmer as Isaac and Finlay Currie as Sir Cedric of Ivanhoe.

** Lady Rowena in the original novel is a standard damsel in distress and a relatively bland character when compared to Rebecca of York. Joan Fontaine's interpretation makes Rowena into a much more proactive character who partakes in the action of the story. She openly challenges Bois-Guilbert during their first encounter, can be seen fighting back against Font de Boef's men during the capture scene, and is much more willfully defiant towards De Bracy than in the book, physically slapping him for trying to kiss her and even fighting him when he attempts to pull her out of the burning castle. She also has a standoff with Rebecca over whether to transport the wounded Ivanhoe during the tournament.

* AdaptationalBadass: This version of Ivanhoe is more active, as he manages to outmaneuver the Normans while giving himself up, rescue most of the prisoners, and kill Front-de-Boeuf. Wamba too gets a big upgrade as he's fighting alongside Ivanhoe throughout the film, skilled enough to fight toe-to-toe with Norman knights despite just being a jester like in the original story.

** A number of characters including Athelstane, Prior Aylmer, Ulrica, and the swineherd Gurth are cut.

** Likely done to differentiate it from ''Film/TheStoryOfRobinHoodAndHisMerrieMen'', despite the film basically being the ''Film/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood'' of the 1950's right down to getting Olivia de Havilland's sister Joan Fontaine in a lead role, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck are never referred to as such, only by their aliases of Locksley and the Clerk of Copmanhurst.

* AnAxeToGrind: Ivanhoe chooses a one-handed axe as his weapon in the final duel.

* CombatPragmatist: Ivanhoe has no compunctions about sneaking up behind people and stabbing them in the back, or hiding in dark corners and popping out to stab them in the back. Even when he's {{Flynning}}, he doesn't really fight fair - the sword fight is just so he can get close enough to stab his opponent with the dagger he carries in his off-hand. Ivanhoe is practically a KnifeNut in this adaptation, a truly unusual element for a heroic character.

* AdaptationalHeroism: Cedric doesn’t push Rowena into marriage against her will (Athelstane being AdaptedOut) and forgives Ivanhoe much earlier than in the book.

* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler: Richard shows up at the very end to do this.]]
* TheCavalry: Locksley's men.

* SpiritualSuccessor: Received quite a few: ''King Richard and the Crusaders'', the television series ''Series/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood'' and ''Richard the Lionheart'', the 1970 ''Ivanhoe'' miniseries, ''The Men of Sherwood Forest'' and the ''Ivanhoe'' series starring Creator/RogerMoore.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Also present in this adaptation, although it's played with differently. Ivanhoe staunchly supports Richard, because he's Richard's friend; almost all the other characters point out that there's [[NotSoDifferent very little to choose between Richard and John]]. Ivanhoe builds support for Richard by promising a civil rights movement.

* CostumePorn: The 1982 film has some truly glorious costumes, especially Rowena's stunning pink gown at the end.

** Rebecca’s threatened suicide scene is practically the complete opposite of the one in the book. There, Bois-Guilbert convinces her to step down as he swears he won’t try to rape her again; here, he delivers a full-fledged ScarpiaUltimatum (complete with not ''really'' planning to spare the heroes), forcibly kisses her and threatens to kill Ivanhoe still if she isn’t responsive enough next time.
** De Bracy’s honorable traits and his genuine feelings for Rowena are removed too: he admits he is only guided by his ambitions.

* TheEvilPrince: Prince John is the king’s brother planning to usurp the throne for himself.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: When Rowena comes to see Ivanhoe off as he is leaving for Rebecca’s trial by combat, she tells him, albeit sadly, that the ultimate choice rests with him, not with her or Rebecca.

* SooOutTheClowns: Wamba is killed off in the siege of Torquilstone.

* AdaptedOut: [[spoiler:King Richard's]] plotline as the Black Knight. [[CompositeCharacter Ivanhoe takes the role of the leader of the attack on Torquilstone Castle.]]

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Ivanhoe gets Bois-Guilbert off his horse by entangling his opponent's flail in the shaft of his axe and dragging him off that way. Once that's

* AdaptationalBadass: This version of Ivanhoe is more active, as he manages to outmaneuver the Normans while giving himself up, rescue most of the prisoners, and kill Front-de-Boeuf. Wamba too get a big upgrade as he's fighting alongside Ivanhoe throughout the film, skilled enough to fight toe-to-toe with Norman knights despite just being a jester like in the original story.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: Also present in this adaptation, although it's played with differently. Ivanhoe staunchly supports Richard, because he's Richard's friend; almost all the other characters point out that there's very little to choose between Richard and John. Ivanhoe builds support for Richard by promising a civil rights movement.

** And Rebecca has it all the time, being friendly with Rowena after their initial argument at Ashby and reassuring her that Ivanhoe’s love never wavered.

* TheEvilPrince: Prince John is the king’s brother planning to usurp the throne for himself.

* ChildhoodMarriagePromise: Ivanhoe and Rowena, cutting their wrists and mixing the blood.

* AdaptationalBadass: This version of Ivanhoe is more active, as he manages to outmaneuver the Normans while giving himself up, rescue most of the prisoners, and kill Front-de-Boeuf. Wamba too get a big upgrade as he's fighting alongside Ivanhoe throughout the film, skilled enough to fight toe-to-toe with Norman knights despite just being a jeste like the original story.

The film was nominated for three [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Academy Awards]], for Best Picture, Best Colour Cinematography, and Best Score for Music/MiklosRozsa. It is part of a ThematicSeries with 1953's ''Film/KnightsOfTheRoundTable'' and 1955's ''Film/TheAdventuresOfQuentinDurward'' (which were [[ProductionPosse also produced by MGM and directed by Richard Thorpe, and also starred Robert Taylor]]), what with their similar chivalric spirit and tone and lavish production values. All three were filmed at MGM's British Studios at Elstree, near London.

The film was nominated for three [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Academy Awards]], for Best Picture, Best Colour Cinematography, and Best Score for Music/MiklosRozsa. It is part of a ThematicSeries with 1953's ''Film/KnightsOfTheRoundTable'' and 1955's ''Quentin Durward'' (which were [[ProductionPosse also produced by MGM and directed by Richard Thorpe, and also starred Robert Taylor]]), what with their similar chivalric spirit and tone and lavish production values. All three were filmed at MGM's British Studios at Elstree, near London.