Ivanhoe (1997 TV series)

*Ivanhoe*
Ivanhoe
Story by	Ivanhoe; by Walter Scott
Directed by	Stuart Orme
Starring	Steven Waddington; Susan Lynch; Ciarán Hinds; Jimmy Chisholm
Composer	Colin Towns
Country of origin	United Kingdom; United States
Original language	English
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	6
Production
Executive producers	Chris Parr (BBC); Delia Fine (A&E)
Producer	Jeremy Gwilt
Running time	60 minutes
Production company	BBC Productions in association with A&E Network production
Original release
Network	BBC1
Release	12 January –; 16 February 1997

Ivanhoe is a 1997 American/British television mini-series based on the 1819 novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.^[1] It was produced by the BBC and A&E Network^[2] and consisted of six 50 minute episodes.

Plot

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. Richard I of England had been a prisoner in an Austrian dungeon, but is now returning to an England ruled by Prince John. The production claims realism,^[3] 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.

TV episodes

Episode 1: The knight and crusader Ivanhoe is released from an Austrian prison after refusing to betray King Richard. He returns to England, where it is rumored that he did betray the King. Ivanhoe must clear his name and save his beloved Rowena from a loveless marriage to Prince Athelstane. Disguised as a pilgrim, he comes to the aid of a stranger, Isaac of York, who offers Ivanhoe a chance to compete in Prince John's tournament.

Episode 2: At the tournament, Ivanhoe defeats the Norman knights and earns the enmity of Prince John. In the second day of tournament, the Prince champions a group of his Norman henchmen, including the former crusader Bois-Guilbert, against Ivanhoe and the Saxons. Ivanhoe is joined by the mysterious Black Knight, and Bois-Guilbert and the Normans are defeated.

Episode 3: Wounded in the tournament against the Normans, Ivanhoe is tended to by the beautiful healer Rebecca, daughter of Isaac of York. Meanwhile, Bois-Guilbert schemes to steal Rowena for one of his cohorts. Disguised as outlaws, the Normans storm the Saxon camp, kidnapping Rowena, Ivanhoe, his father, Rebecca and Isaac.

Episode 4: Robin Hood and his allies, along with the Black Knight, prepare to attack the castle where Ivanhoe and his companions are held. Inside, Rebecca and Ivanhoe discover their love for one another. When the castle is stormed, the Saxons save Rowena from Bois-Guilbert. He then kidnaps Rebecca, whom he secretly loves, and they flee as the castle burns.

Episode 5: An attempt is made on the Black Knight's life, and he reveals himself as King Richard to his outlaw comrades. Meanwhile, John sentences Rebecca to burn as a witch, and her only chance for survival is to demand a trial by combat. Bois-Guilbert will act as the court's champion—but who will defend the honor of Rebecca?

Episode 6: King Richard assures his supporters that Ivanhoe never betrayed him, clearing the way for Ivanhoe's marriage to Rowena. Ivanhoe then learns of Rebecca's fate, and a devastated Rowena begs him not to ride to her defense. But Ivanhoe will not miss the chance to fight Bois-Guilbert—and finally right old wrongs.

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

Experts behind the series

Stunt Coordinator: Gareth Milne
Horse Master: Steve Dent
Sword Master: Nick Powell
Stunt Performers: Joss Gower, Nick Hobbs, Nrinder Dhudwar, Tom Lucy
Historical Advisor: Christopher Gravett
Judaica Advisor: Lewis Glinert
Armourer: Rob Partridge

Production

Parts of the series were shot at Doune Castle^{[citation needed]}, Hermitage Castle in the Scottish Borders and at Craigmillar Castle and Blackness Castle near Edinburgh.^[4]

Home media

The series was released on a set of 6 VHS tapes and also on a 2 DVD set.

References

^ Scott, Walter (25 June 2008). Ivanhoe: A Romance.
^ "'IVANHOE' MINISERIES INVADES A&E". Washington Post. 20 April 1997. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
^ Kulakivska, Veronika. "The analysis of "Ivanhoe" by Walter Skott". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ (2015) Filmed here - 1997, Ivanhoe, Stuart Orme, BBC Archived 18 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine Film Edinburgh, Retrieved 20 February 2015

External links

Ivanhoe at BBC Online
Ivanhoe at IMDb
John J, O'Connor (18 April 1997). "It's Definitely Ivanhoe, But Robin Hood, Too?". New York Times. Retrieved 30 September 2010.

[1] Scott, Walter (25 June 2008). Ivanhoe: A Romance.

[2] "'IVANHOE' MINISERIES INVADES A&E". Washington Post. 20 April 1997. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 7 February 2019.

[3] Kulakivska, Veronika. "The analysis of "Ivanhoe" by Walter Skott". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[4] (2015) Filmed here - 1997, Ivanhoe, Stuart Orme, BBC Archived 18 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine Film Edinburgh, Retrieved 20 February 2015

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