Directed by Douglas Camfield Original language(s) English | Theme music composer Allyn Ferguson | |
Written by John Gay
Sir Walter Scott (novel) Starring Anthony Andrews
James Mason
Sam Neill
Michael Hordern
Olivia Hussey
Lysette Anthony
Julian Glover Country of origin United Kingdom
United States | ||
Ivanhoe is a British 1982 television film adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's novel of the same name. The film was directed by Douglas Camfield, with a screenplay written by John Gay. The film depicts the noble knight Ivanhoe returning home from The Holy Wars and finds himself being involved in a power-struggle for the throne of England.
The score by Allyn Ferguson was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1982. The film premiered on CBS in the USA on 23 February 1982 and was first broadcast in the UK on 26 September 1982 on ITV
De Bois-Guilbert is treated more ambiguously than in most versions of the story. He develops some genuine affection for Rebecca towards the end, and although he could easily have won the fight against the wounded and weakened Ivanhoe, de Bois-Guilbert lowers his sword and allows himself to be killed, thus saving Rebecca's life.
The film featured Julian Glover reprising his role as Richard I from the 1965 Doctor Who serial The Crusade, which was likewise directed by Camfield.
In Sweden, where it first aired over TV 1 on 31 December 1982 the film's airing annually around Christmas-New Year has become a tradition.