Best Ivanhoe movie/actors

I have seen all 3 versions and I like the 1982 version the best since I felt it was the most true to the novel. However, I didnt really didnt care for Andrews as Ivanhoe as he gave off a teen idol/light-weight vibe, not quite fitting a great Saxon knight.

The best Rebecca was Elizabeth Taylor because she was both beautiful and soulful. remember, rebecca would be acknowledged as the most beautiful damsel in the land if it wasnt for the fact that she was a Jew. Susan Lynch was more feisty but she wasnt beautiful enough IMO.

As for the best Ivanhoes and Rowenas, I didnt think any of the actors distinguished themselves enough for me to cite any of them.

The competition is a lot closer for the best Bois Guilbert. All are good actors in my opinion. I think Ciaran Hinds gave the best interpretation since we saw his struggle a bit more. Saunders and Neill played it more straight as oily villains.

I am still waiting for the definitive version of one of my favorite books.

I Haven't read the book but in my opinion the 1997 mini is the best. Most because it has the feeling of 12th century in it which the other two versions lack of. The people in 1952 and 1982 version wear to fancy sharp coloured clothes. The armor of the soldiers, the haircuts etc etc.. are much more convincing in the 1997 version.

Also it makes the situation more complex and you get to symphaties with both parts. As the runtime is about three times as long there is of course more room for Prince Johan and King Richard. You also get to know De Bracy, De Bouf, Malvoisin, Fitzurse, Prior Aymer and others better.


Rebecca: I think Susan Lynch was the most convincing jewess of York. She doesn't read her lines from a piece of paper but as they were her own words. I also think se looks most jewish of them all, but is she beautiful? Well I think she is beaten by Olivia Hussey in beautiness.

1. Susan Lynch
2. Olivia Hussey
3. Elizabeth Taylor

Rowena: Same as Rebecca here. Victoria Smurfit is more human. But again this version is about three times as long and Rowena is given much more time here.

1. Victoria Smurfit
2. Lysette Anthony & Joan Fontaine

Ivanhoe: Robert Taylor is an American Hollywood hero, not a knight in armour. He is very amusing to watch though. But he shouldn't portray Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe. Anthony Andrews is much better but he is to much of a gentleman more than a 12th century saxon knight. Steven Waddington though, looks like a strong soldier who would put his own life at stake to save his king in any situation. He portrays Ivanhoe as a human who is not invincible like James Bond.

1. Steven Waddington
2. Anthony Andrews
3. Robert Taylor

Guilbert: In my opinion Ciaran Hinds does one of the best preformances I've ever seen when he does Bois Guilbert. Need I say more? Both Sam Neill and George Saunders did good jobs but they just played Guilbert as another person than themselves. Ciaran Hinds really WAS Guilbert.

1. *******Ciaran Hinds********
2. George Saunders & Sam Neill

I think the best of the 3 films is definitely the 1997 miniseries; the actors and actresses were talented and riveting. I think Ciaran Hinds was excellent as Bois-Guilbert and Susan Lynch splendid as Rebecca, far better and more convincing than Elizabeth Taylor in the 1952 version. I likewise prefer Victoria Smurfit over Joan Fontaine, and Steven Waddington over Anthony Andrews, despite the latter's talent.

All in all, I cannot imagine that the magnificent 'Ivanhoe' will ever be filmed so successfully again.

Murdoch

For me it`s without question the 1982 version. I really can`t imagine Ivanhoe any other way. Here in Sweden this version shows every new years day and almost everyone I know is parked in front of the TV...it`s brilliant!

I can only go by what I know. I've never read the book, though have it on my list of "to-reads." I've seen the 1982 version and the 1997 version.

When it comes down to favorite Rowena, I don't have one. I have never cared for Rowena either way, especially Lysette's version.

Favorite Rebecca is Olivia Hussey in a heartbeat. She's elegant, gracious, charming, and everything I had hoped for in a heroine who does not obtain the love of her life.

Ivanhoe. I truly despised the man in the 1997 adaptation. He was completely unlikeable, whereas Anthony, despite his youth and the touch of weaknesses, was an ideal choice.

Brian de Bois Gilbert. I get the impression that you're supposed to dislike him and then slowly obtain a grudging respect and perhaps even compassion. I never could manage that with Ciaran, but Sam Neill had me feeling a deep-set sympathy by the end.

Obviously then, my favorite version if the 1982 version. They didn't mess with MY Robin Hood the way they ruined him in the 1997, and most, if not all, the characters are somewhat likeable to a certain degree. I've always been morbidly partial to a film where the hero and heroine are not able to be together, so Ivanhoe fits into that like a glove. It leaves you wondering what if, but knowing it couldn't be any other way. The newer film might be more realistic in how man's nature is horribly flawed, but the 1982 version makes for a much better watching.

Best Rebecca by far was Hussey. Worst was in 97 version. She wasn't pretty enough to believe Ivanhoe's atttraction to her.

anthony andrews was just sooooo georgeous as ivanhoe (in my opinoin). I saw this movie when I was a teenager, and I still remember how charming he was, and how lovely the leading ladies were - especially olivia hussey (and by the way I really think he should has chosen her, but that seemded to be an impossible love that never could be, which was why he had to choose the lady rowena). Doesn't anyone feel the same??!!??

1982 Television production. Sam Neill, Lysette Anthony