Drama / Adventure
1952 / 107 minutes
Rating: 8/10

If you love the story of Robin Hood, this is the sequel (or maybe prequel) that you’ve been looking for. Based on Sir Walter Scott’s 1819 novel Ivanhoe, it shares Robin Hood’s English setting, time period, and villain – Prince John and his Norman knights are up to their conniving and taxing. And Robin Hood and his band are along for the ride here, even if these aren’t quite the same “merry men” we’ve come to know in other stories.

As the story begins, the Saxon knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe is searching for his missing king, Richard the Lionheart, who he followed to the Crusades. When he finds the king imprisoned, he returns to England to raise the ransom. But that puts him at odds with the king’s scheming brother, Prince John, who can have the throne for himself, so long as Richard never returns.

Ivanhoe is the son of a Saxon lord, but his father Cedric disowned him for following the Norman king Richard to the Crusades. So when Ivanhoe returns home, he has to do so in secret, greeting his lady love, Rowena, and then riding off with the jester Wamba to fill in as his squire. But if his father won’t help him raise the ransom, who can Ivanhoe turn to? Two Jews play a key part. Ivanhoe rescues Isaac of York from an attempted robbery, and in turn Isaac offers his fundraising skills. And Isaac’s daughter Rebecca secretly funds Ivanhoe’s purchase of new armor.

From then on there are jousts to be had and battles to be fought – lots of action here!

Cautions

There may be battles and jousts aplenty, but despite the many arrows flying and swords swinging, there’s hardly any blood seen. So, not for littles, but kids over 10 likely won’t find this scary or shocking.

Not so much a caution, but a point of discussion for families: the most courageously religious figure in this film is Rebecca, a Jew. She is tempted with the opportunity to save her own life, if only she will turn from her faith, and she refuses. That is admirable in those circumstances, and even an example of courage to Christians, but it is also someone courageous holding onto what is not true, which could be worth a discussion with your kids.

Conclusion

Part of what makes this good family viewing are the issues it addresses.

There’s racism, Norman vs. Saxon, and Saxon vs. Norman, and antisemitism too. But in answer to this ethnic hatred, we have a good Norman and a heroic Saxon – King Richard and Ivanhoe – uniting to show a way forward. But before any of that’s possible, who does Ivanhoe have to turn to for help? Why, it’s the dismissed and disregarded Jews Isaac of York and his daughter Rebecca.

Then there’s the issue of love, what it is, and what it masquerades to be. One of the villains, Sir Bois-Guilbert, believes himself in love with Rebecca but if she won’t be with him, then he’d see her dead instead. Rebecca is the counter-example, in love with Ivanhoe, and willing to help him even though he will never be hers.

Finally, there’s courage on display. Ivanhoe is the obvious example, searching for his king by his lonesome, and putting his life on the line repeatedly. But so many others stand up too, including Rebecca, willing to go toe-to-toe with Lady Rowena, in a bid to save Ivanhoe’s life.

The pacing here is decent in the first half, but slows some in the middle (which is why I waffled some between giving this an 8 or a 7), before picking up again. If you think the lull might test your children’s patience, then consider breaking Ivanhoe up into a couple of showings, one half now, the other half tomorrow. Or have an intermission. And help with the ambience by making sure the lights are low, the popcorn bucket is full, and the snuggly blankets are at the ready.

This is a good one, folks, a classic story of selfless heroism, racism rebutted, and the truest love displayed. You can watch the trailer below.