Period drama serial The Prisoner of Zenda, based on on the much loved book by Anthony Hope focused on a case of mistaken identity. Whilst in Ruritania, Rudolf Rassendyll is discovered to be the exact double of the King (also called Rudolf), thanks to a villainous plot that could spell trouble for the King, Rudolf ends up changing places with him.
This production of The Prisoner of Zenda was a well cast, mostly studio bound, classic BBC sunday time version and the plot, well at least variations on it, has been used dozens of times in movies and tv over the years.
production details
UK / BBC-1 / 6×30 minute episode / Broadcast 15 November – 23 December 1984
Writer: James Andrew Hall / Script Editor: Terrance Dicks / Design: Paul Joel / Producer: Barry Letts / Director: Leonard Lewis
cast
MALCOLM SINCLAIR as Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolph
JOHN WOODVINE as Colonel Sapt
GEORGE IRVING as ‘Black’ Michael
JONATHAN MORRIS as Rupert Of Hentzau
NICHOLAS GECKS as Fritz Von Tarlenheim
PAULINE MORAN as Antoinette de Mauban
VICTORIA WICKS as Princess Flavia
PEGGY SHEILDS as Servant
JOHN MOORE as Josef
PETER COPLEY as Marshall Strakencz
GEORGE WARING as Prefect
GABRIEL WOOLF as Cardinal Archbishop
CLYDE GABELL as Krafstein
BEN FEITELSON as De Gautet
