Ivanhoe

I remember this version of the Ivanhoe story from when it was originally aired the United States in the early 1970's. I think that it was then, as it is now, an excellent example of British period production and find it regrettable that a production with such a remarkably talented cast (many of whom have gone on to have rather distinguished acting careers) should have faded into obscurity and, even worse, to be eclipsed by the ITV version starring Roger Moore which was done with far less panache a decade or so earlier. A particularly memorable performance is given in this version by Anthony Bate as Sir Brian de Bois Guilbert. The blazing fury of his personality simply eclipses Eric Flynn's otherwise very workmanlike portrayal of Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe. All in all a substantially more exciting treatment than the less than limpid prose of Sir Walter Scott's novel.