The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) is just pure, dusty fun

Should you watch The Prisoner of Zenda? If you have a soft spot for swords, capes, and people talking in very posh accents while riding horses, then yes, absolutely. If you need your movies to be gritty, realistic, or paced like a modern music video, you are going to be checking your watch every five minutes. It’s an old-school adventure that feels like it belongs in a different century, which is exactly why it works.

The Vibe

There is something inherently cozy about this movie. It’s got that 1937 shine where every room is perfectly lit and nobody ever has a hair out of place, even during a high-stakes sword fight. Ronald Colman plays the dual role of the King and the tourist, and he does that thing where he just changes his posture a little bit to look like a totally different human. It’s subtle, but it’s cool.

The villain, played by Raymond Massey, is just delightfully nasty. He’s got that sneer down to a science. Honestly, I spent half the movie just waiting for him to do something predictably evil so I could nod along. It’s not complex, but it hits the spot.

Odd Little Moments

• The sword fight at the end feels like it goes on for about three years.
• Everyone in Ruritania is incredibly polite, even when they’re trying to murder each other.
• The outfits are so fancy they probably weighed thirty pounds each.
• I found myself distracted by the background extras who just look like they’re having a grand old time pretending to be peasants.

It’s not as heavy or grounded as something like Les misérables, but it isn’t trying to be. It’s a bit like a Sunday afternoon nap in movie form—comforting, predictable, and totally satisfying if you don’t think too hard about the logistics of the plot. Sometimes I think we overanalyze everything. Sometimes a guy just needs to be a king for a week.

Also, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is just showing off the whole time. He’s practically bouncing off the walls. I don't know if he was just happy to be there or if he’d had ten cups of coffee before shooting, but he’s the best part of the whole second act. 🤺

It’s a breezy watch. Don't look for deep meaning. Just enjoy the costumes.