You can see why Hollywood wanted Roger Moore. Spot embryonic elements of his most famous creation, The Saint, in Ivanhoe!
"We've tried to make it authentic throughout," said Roger Moore in an interview.
"Our master-at-arms and swordsman, Peter Diamond, has some 40-50 swords, 12 crossbows, and
50-60 lances. We have bought five horses and have had the use of 30 more."
In one fight Moore was knocked unconscious with the head with a battleaxe,
and at first his realistic acting was highly praised, until the truth dawned! "I wish he'd have a double
for dangerous scenes," argued producer Bernard Coote, "but he refuses and does everything himself."
The executive producer was Peter Rogers. The series made by Sydney Box Productions at Beaconsfield Studios and at AB Studios Elstree.
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Freeing the Serfs”Brave warrior” returning from Holy land ambushed by three soldiers of Sir Maurice (Anthony Dawson). They “invite” Sir Ivanhoe to meet Sir Maurice, who is one backing Prince John for the throne. Ivanhoe however is resolute in his support for King Richard: “he will return,” promises Ivanhoe.
He departs on the worst of terms. For Ivanhoe takes exception to the treatment of one serf and his son, Gurth and Bart, and challenges Maurice to combat. Even though there’s dirty work from Maurice in nobbling Ivanhoe’s white steed, the victor is never in doubt. Ivanhoe rides off with the grateful pair, chased, just as in a Western movie, by the evil Sir Maurice’s men.
But Ivanhoe and his new friends reach home, Rotherwood, safely. There’s disappointment, for Ivanhoe’s father Sir Cedric has just left, with the fair Rowena, to attend a meeting of nobles, assmebled to determine whether John should be proclaimed king.
”Many of us fear Richard may be lost for ever,” Prince John (Andrew Keir) is declaring. But Sir Cedric is expressing his faith that Richard will indeed return. To silence him, John plots with Sir Maurice to capture Cedric and Rowena, and hold them prisoner in his castle.
Ivanhoe gets wind of their scheme and against the odds, but with superior strategy, intercepts Sir Maurice and his train. In the general melee, the climax is Ivanhoe’s swordfight with Maurice. The latter’s men are forced to flee, the laughing of Ivanhoe’s men ringing in their ears.
At last Ivanhoe can receive a proper welcome home from the crusade by his father. But the noble Ivanhoe has realised that he cannot sit at home, as in solemn tones, he pledges himself to fight King Richard’s corner, until he return
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The German Knight
Christopher Lee is the imposing Otto of the
Rhine, a champion knight, unbeaten, surely a match for Sir Ivanhoe?
A serf called Ralph (Richard Martin) had escaped nearly a year ago from Sir
Waldemar and had improved himself by being apprenticed to a London physician.
However he has had to return home to tend his dying mother.
Sir Waldemar's
men try to recapture him but first Gurth and Barth delay them in their pursuit,
then Ivanhoe swaps places with Ralph, embarrassing the soldiers when they
finally catch up with him. Ivanhoe teaches them a history lesson: "this is still
King Richard's realm."
This arouses Waldemar's wrath. But Otto his guest is
the ideal man to punish Ivanhoe, and force Ralph to return to serfdom. However a
girl in Waldemar's castle (Jennifer Jayne) overhears the plot and runs to warn
Ralph. On the way she is attacked by a boar, and Ralph has to put into practice
his new found medical knowledge. She cannot be moved, leaving Ralph a sitting
duck for Waldemar's retribution.
Thus the scene is set. Otto challenges Sir
Ivanhoe. On horseback they charge and charge again. As Waldemar watches in
anticipation, and Gurth with a slight concern, down falls Otto off his steed. "I
want no unfair advantage," says noble Ivanhoe, and the fight is now with swords.
It looks all over when Ivanhoe's sword snaps, yet still the slogging match
continues until it's Otto who has to yield. The noble Otto congratulates the
victor. "I don't surrender," shouts the infuriated Waldemar, in the true style
of the rotter.
A year has now passed since Ralph's escape, and by law he is
now a free man. So it's all good news. "Your freedom was hard won," Ivanhoe
tells him, "use it well."
Otto and Ivanhoe shake hands in farewell
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The Whipping Boy -Is this the chance for Gurth's son Bart to prove himself to Sir Ivanhoe?
A young lad is being pursued by the soldiers of Sir Waldemar (Terence Longdon).
The poor boy is trapped afore Ivanhoe intervenes, and with Gurth's help the swordsmen are scattered, though it is Bart who rescues the lad by polevaulting on top of one of the nasties.
Barbaric are the beatings this boy has suffered, as a 'whipping boy' at the hands of two young nobles, so Ivanhoe rides to Wecksford Castle to find out what is going on. Wecksford is home of Sir Baldwin, a loyal supporter of King Richard, and Ivanhoe is puzzled why he has allowed his grandson Philip to be placed in the custody of Waldemar, an ally of Prince John. It seems the aged and feeble Baldwin wants peace in our time, at almost any price. To stave off Waldemar grabbing his lands, Baldwin has agreed to allow Philip to be a companion to Waldemar's son Harold.
Bart offers to replace the whipping boy at Waldemar's castle: "it is the only way," admits Ivanhoe. Thus Bart becomes the new "companion and playmate" for two boys older than himself, Harold and Philip. Harold is unpleasantly "mischievous," taking pleasure in misbehaving and then seeing his whipping boy take the punishment for him. "You're low and vile," Philip tells him- the pair clearly despise each other, and have a fight behind the bike sheds, sorry the smithy. Ivanhoe and Gurth enter the castle to rescue Philip, but are trapped inside when the drawbridge is raised. "Forward men, seize them!"
By leaping from the battlements into the moat, the boys escape, whilst Ivanhoe and Gurth fend off their attackers. Rather soaked, they are all rescued by Sir Baldwin and his merry men, who have united to stand up from now on against the evil Waldemar. Ivanhoe gives him a stern lecture, as Philip is restored to his grandfather.
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Wedding Cake
Bad Sir Waldemar has imprisoned Sir Patrick. His daughter Elaine's hand in marriage for the gluttonous Oliver, is the price of his release!
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Lyman the Pieman
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Face to Face
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The Weavers
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Arms and the Woman
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The Circus To Ivanhoe Menu
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The Escape
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"Turn back, you're not welcome," shouts Edmund (Maurice Kaufmann) at Ivanhoe, taking him for a robber. He's a very jaundiced young man, having returned from the crusades to find his home has been destroyed, and his father Sir Gerald Thane of Torrbridge being kept a prisoner by Sir Guilbert.
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By Hook or By Crook
Bad Baron Courcey is enforcing the local 'crook' laws- no one is allowed to step off the road on to His Land, even to gather firewood- the rotter!
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24 Treasure from Cathay
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The Double Edged Sword
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Ivanhoe and Gurth see her being attacked by robbers, as she is riding to Waldemar's castle with Oliver (Peter Reynolds). Oliver hides as the thieves are driven off by Ivanhoe. "Oliver drove off the highwaymen," Elaine explains to Sir Waldemar. He shall be proclaimed a knight, announces Oliver's uncle.
Ivanhoe hides in a gigantic wedding cake whch Gurth delivers to Waldemar's castle, thus easily bypassing the guards who have orders not to allow Ivanhoe in.
"Delicious," pronounces Oliver, as he tastes this cake. But a more alert soldier spots the cake is hollow and Gurth is arrested. "Where's your master?" With the help of Wiggle Ears, the scullery boy, Ivanhoe has been given the castle layout, and is thus able to leap over a balcony into Lady's Elaine's quarters. She explains her predicament.
The unworthy Oliver is being prepared in the chapel to take the vows of knighthood. His holy fast is broken as he betrays his gluttony, and Ivanhoe seizes him and takes the unworthy prospective knight's place.
At the ceremony, the hooded Oliver alias Ivanhoe is ready to take his vows. Certainly in character, he leaves the chapel, making for the pantry, and a snack. "I'm surrounded by fools and idiots," cries the exasperated Waldemar.
There in the kitchen, Oliver is being held at knifepoint by Ivanhoe. He confesses to his cowardice and Gurth and Sir Patrick have to be set free. "How can I ever thank you?" asks the latter.
But Waldemar swears revenge
Mathilda is the donkey which pulls the cart of Lyman, played by Michael Ripper who really hams it up. He's just off to a hanging, he happily tells Ivanhoe, at Belford Castle, where he hopes to flog off many of his pies. Robert (James Henney) is the one to be hanged because he stole Lyman's donkey and cart. Prince John's good friend Sir William is in charge.
In tears, Robert's wife Enid (June Rodney) pleads for Ivanhoe to intervene. How could he refuse? She claims her husband had only rented the donkey and cart, and Lyman is lying when he stated it had been stolen.
The hanging imminent, Ivanhoe snatches the prisoner and galops away. Reunited with Edith, he tells Ivanhoe why he is being framed- his land is rich in coal, which Sir WIlliam wants for himself. So whilst Robert hides in a mill, Gurth is sent to Prince John with a cunning plan telling him of William's designs on the mine. "Things must be done legally," declares the Prince, who straightway rides to Belford.
Ivanhoe confronts Lyman. "I do talk too much," he honestly admits. "The truth is your shield," promises the "interfering meddling" Ivanhoe, at least that's how Sir William describes him. He is planning the trial with Prince John. An "accident" to Lyman will mean that his original testimony will have to stand. "There will be no further mistake," promises Sir William in one of the favourite lines in criminal history.
Thus Lyman and his cart are taken away into hiding, though Lyman manages to leave a trail of his rather crusty pies, which Ivanhoe can follow.
The trial is over. No Lyman or Ivanhoe. Prince John is ready to pronounce sentence- he finds Robert...... but just then, in dashes Ivanhoe with Lyman, and dashed is the bad Prince's plan to bag the mine.
Later we meet the Pieman again, but he has changed his name to Holman Ye Coalman, and he's now employed by Robert and Enid
A justified tax revolt against King John is being used by Sir Humphrey (Derek Aylward) to try and get Ivanhoe into hot water.
His scheme is this: Trumper the minstrel, "impersonator extraordinary," is the split image of Ivanhoe, hardly surprising as he is played by Roger Moore, albeit with a Welsh accent. This Ivanhoe lookalike is going to be caught robbing a church.
The plan works a treat, for villagers and their priest catch him red handed: "sacrilege." Luckily Gurth also happens to be on hand, and he denounces Trumper as an imposter. But with Trumper well briefed, Ivanhoe's guilt is established.
Later Trumper wants his reward, but he finds Sir Humphrey is a double dealer for he has Trumper locked in a prison, guarded by Red Gordon (Danny Green).
Now word gets around that he has escaped. 50 silver pieces, alive or dead, for Sir Ivanhoe! The peasants are eager to claim the reward.
Fortunately, Trumper tricks Gordon, and by impersonating Sir Humphrey, escapes just in time. For Sir Humphrey has intercepted Ivanhoe, demanding he gives himself up. Of course this ends in a fight, Ivanhoe the victor. Trumper gallops up and admits to all and sundry his deception, thus clearing "the brave and merciful" Ivanhoe.
Sir Humphrey is left with the unenvious choice of repealing these unjust taxes, or face a peasants' revolt.
Ivanhoe and Gurth ride to the aid of the villagers of Quincey, who are being terrorised by brigands. One is captured, Maltravers, but before he
can be questioned, one of his fellow robbers shoots him dead with an arrow.
At the mercy of these "black brigands" are Will (Leslie Dwyer) and his family, and Abel (Reginald Beckwith), and Ivanhoe resolves to find out the
identity of the leader of the thieves.
The trail of the brigands' horses leads to Gilbert Castle, home of Sir William. Talking to this lord, it dawns on Ivanhoe that he really is behind the raids on
Quincey. After a fierce swordfight, Ivanhoe is locked in the dungeon, prior to being hanged for the alleged murder of Maltravers.
Sir William now offers the villagers of Quincey protection if they accept serfdom in his service. There seems little choice, and only Will refuses to "grovel."
Gurth has 'borrowed' the cart of Hugo the woodcutter as a way of entering Gilbert Castle. "Where've you been?" quips Ivanhoe as Gurth overpowers a guard and releases him.
But they are just too late to stop the ceremony where the villagers pledge themselves to Sir William, in return for his protection.
Ivanhoe tells them that it's Sir William who is organising the brigands, and encourages them to revolt.
Posing as Lord Quincey, leader of their rebellion is Ivanhoe. Sir William vows to teach them "a lesson they'll never forget," as he and his men don their brigand uniforms once again.
But Ivanhoe and his men ambush Sir William's men and there's a fight, with Ivanhoe matched against William: "you have betrayed your knighthood."
Sir William is beaten and forced to agree to leave the villagers in peace.
A speech on freedom is delivered by our hero, and Will thanks Ivanhoe for all his help. Concludes Sir Ivanhoe importantly:
"maybe one day such partnerships will build a nation."
Sir Geoffrey of Bilton (Alex Scott) arrests Nigel of Rainham (Robert Raikes) for trying to murder Prince John.
On the testimony of Hob (Hal Osmond), Nigel is taken away for trial.
Nigel's father, Sir Robert of Rainham, is a staunch supporter of King Richard, and this move is part of a scheme to force
Rainham to change allegiance. "Rainham Castle is the key to the North," and if Rainham changes sides, others will follow.
At an important conference Ivanhoe is with Sir Robert to rally waverers to the King's cause.
On hearing the bad news, Sir Robert has to gallop off to his son's aid, leaving Ivanhoe to argue for the king. It's a tough job with
a traitor Sir Ranulf (John Gatrell) in their midst: "for the good of the realm," he argues, "it will shortly be delivered into my hands."
It being Rainham Castle.
The mood turns against Ivanhoe and he's forced to remain a "guest" of Ranulf in a dungeon.
But one of the knights, Sir Jocelyn, sets Ivanhoe free and he rushes with Gurth to Rainham Castle, which Ranulf is about to attack.
There are no soldiers left to guard the place, so Ivanhoe dresses up the kitchen staff in armour to defend the castle as best they can.
"Your women make a brave show."
Outside the castle, shouts Sir Ranulf, "yield Rainham to me." Lady Ursula, Sir Robert's wife, defies him, but when it is realised the defenders
are only women, Ranulf's men have a good laugh. Lady Ursula agrees to "come to terms," and a meeting is held in the great hall.
But by terms she means a duel! By the laws of chivalry, she's permitted to nominate a champion to fight Ranulf.
"What shall we use?" jokes a grinning Ranulf, "cooking pots or needle and threads!" But his smile is less sure when Ivanhoe
announces himself. He summons his men to attack whilst he fights Ivanhoe.
Then Sir Robert returns in triumph having freed his son, and Ranulf is defeated. Rainham is secure for the King!
"Truth shall not be our slave,
For Richard
is our King," sings a minstrel at a market.
Prince John's men are soon out
to silence him! But Ivanhoe and Gurth rally to his defence and John's lackeys
are soundly beaten, after some damage to the market stalls and their wares.
Dick o' Devon (John Warner) and his donkey Princess, are the remnants of a
circus, and Ivanhoe and Gurth promise to join Dick in a new crusade, that of
singing against Prince John!
Naturally the prince is rather displeased when
Sir Mark of Roscommon (Robert Cawdron) reports of Ivanhoe's "meeting of devils."
Orders Prince John "it must be stopped."
For everyone is enjoying the
entertainment, puppets parodying "Prince Fox". "Treason!" cry Sir Mark's men,
rudely interrupting the show. There's a right punch-up, but weight of numbers
cause Ivanhoe and Dick to yield.
They are charged with high treason, and are
to be tried by John himself, just before his imminent coronation.
In front
of this judge, Ivanhoe repeats the songs they have sung, and the issue develops
as to whether King Richard is dead or not. To prove his cause, Ivanhoe
challenges John to mortal combat.
A date is set, a fortnight hence, but in
The Black Hole, a dark and "cosy" cell, Ivanhoe is starved, and with little
sleep, this is hardly the preparation for a deadly fight.
"The truth shall
prevail," declares Prince John as Ivanhoe totters into the arena, without even a
breastplate. Sir Mark, representing the prince, strutting like Goliath, looks so
confident, for Ivanhoe seems so weak. "If he dies," sighs Dick, " the truth dies
with him." That can never be, and Dick's minstrelsy inspires the onlookers and
the befeebled Ivanhoe. To cheers and rousing music, Ivanhoe is the victor. "Your
life or the truth," cries Ivanhoe to the cowering Mark. King Richard lives,
concedes Sir Mark.
More cheers and singing to end an inspiring story
Sir Rufus of Salisbury has returned from the crusade with news of King Richard, that will foil Prince John's plot to accede the throne. So John orders Rufus to be found: "if you bring me news of this man's death, you may name your own reward."
One ambush Rufus succeeds in overcoming, and he rushes to Ivanhoe's castle. But Ivanhoe is away at Sir Guilbert's banquet. "I dare not waste another moment," cries the exhausted Rufus, as he dashes off.
Sir Guilbert is announcing King Richard's death, with a sailor as eyewitness to the fact that the king had been washed overboard in a storm. Then Rufus produces his counter claim, backed up by proof of Richard's talisman. The king is held prisoner, "somewhere in Europe." His message to all is: "I shall return."
He's rambling, declares Sir Guilbert, for he's exhausted after his long journey. Kindly Guilbert puts him up for the night, though as Ivanhoe comments to Gurth: "I fear his bedchamber may turn out to be a dungeon." Of course his fears are well founded, for even now instruments of torture are being prepared, so it's Ivanhoe to the rescue!
Cloaks are swapped, Sir Guilbert's for Rufus' as Ivanhoe and Gurth accompany the weary disguised Rufus away, pretending they are all drunk. "There's something funny going on."
"You blundering fool," shouts Sir Guilbert when the guard is found locked in the dungeon. "Stop them."
Rufus is taken to the sanctuary of a church where Prior Fulmer acts the Good Samaritan. Rufus is granted the sanctuary of the church if he travels direct to Hull and takes a boat overseas.
Rather foolishly, he accepts a lift in a cart, which is part of Sir Guilbert's wily scheme to ambush him. Yet Ivanhoe and Gurth are wisely tailing Rufus and foil the plan. Sir Guilbert, at knifepoint, is forced to admit the King Lives.
Rufus will go to find him
20 Murder at the Inn
Young Edmund of Torrbridge (Maurice Kaufmann) is a bit of a hot head, and when King John's Commissioner of Taxes, Lord Jermaine, arrives at the local hostelry, he hasn't even time to give his girl Bess a kiss. He's so eager to chant this ditty at this unwelcome visitor:
"Shall I tell you the shame of Lord Judas Jermaine?
Who betrayed the King for the sake of gain."
You really can't blame Jermaine for being angry, and the pair fight, Jermaine getting killed. Quick thinking Ivanhoe ties the body to his horse and shoos it off, but when King John learns of the deed, he sends evil Lord Blackheath (Ivan Craig) to organise an inquest.
His verdict: "In the name of our sovereign... I ordain the people of Torrbridge will pay a fine of 100 bars of gold." This impossible demand forces Edmund to confess and he is sentenced to death. But on the way to the Tower of London, Ivanhoe ambushes Blackheath's men, and Edmund is on the run.
King John is even more furious, and Blackheath is pretty desperate, because John has threatened to hang him if he doesn't recapture his late prisoner. Freeman are coerced into joining the extensive hunt for the wanted man.
In a rather confusing story, mainly because this action is all confined to the studio, Ivanhoe and Gurth organise their own posse, to search for Edmund in hiding. Blackheath's soldiers are surrounded and picked off one by one before the final punch up. Ivahoe fights with Edmund, technically so he can 'arrest' him and escort him quite legally out of the country. A sort of illegal legal immigration in reverse. But Edmund has just time to, at last, give a farewell kiss to Beth.
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Prisoner in the Tower
So worked up is Edmund, that "he's as good as dead," for he's going to rescue his father (Colin Tapley) from the clutches of this Sir Guilbert (Patrick Holt), who is an utter rotter, taunting Gerald because he bravely refuses to swear allegiance to Prince John. Innocent Edmund offers Guilbert 20 oz of gold as a ransom. Guilbert pockets it, and refuses to release Gerald!
Next Guilbert's men trick Edmund into shooting a hare, which brings about his arrest for poaching. However Ivanhoe rides up and gets Edmund free. But Sir Guilbert has read the script, for he tells Sir Gerald: "I know Ivanhoe, he won't rest until he's rescued you too!"
And sure enough Ivanhoe is dreaming up a scheme for rescue, though Edmund is very sceptical about Ivanhoe's ability to help. The scheme is this: Ivanhoe dresses up as Sir Guilbert's own rotund helper, Walter and brings in Gurth and 'Ivanhoe' whom he has captured. However the prisoner called Ivanhoe is really Walter, vizors down helping to protect recognition. This gets Ivanhoe into the castle and there's a fierce fight when Sir Guilbert realises the ruse. Ivanhoe is all but killed, but in the end it's Sir Guilbert who is forced at knife point to return the ransom and release Sir Gerald - hurrah!
He's going one step worse as well, for he's clearing the peasants out of the local village of Maydale to "make way for his Chase."
"They can't do that," protests Gurth for the village had been granted a royal charter, but the late Will the Miller had hidden it before he died, and noone can find it. But it would prove Courcey's actions are illegal.
Whilst Ivanhoe rests at that same old inn Ye Candlewyke, Gurth and a peasant are attacked by Courcey's men. However the tables are turned when Ivanhoe intervenes, and the soldiers run off: "Courcey'll kill you for this!"
But Ivanhoe is more concerned about finding the missing charter. It's not at the monastery though the dying Will had managed to mutter cryptically that he'd
"entrusted the charter to another shepherd, the most wise shepherd of them all." It seems Ivanhoe isn't that religious or he might have guessed! Instead, he and Gurth
inquire of all the shepherds they can find, but Gurth is captured and thrown in Courcey's dungeon, "waiting for the hide to be taken off him."
This brings Ivanhoe to Courcey's castle and he issues a challenge.
"I make my own rules," boasts the wicked Courcey, as they engage in a swordfight, the villain becoming ever more frenzied. But at least he's no coward, as he admits defeat: "I ask no mercy," he tells Ivanhoe.
Squire Gurth must be released. "I shall find your charter," Ivanhoe promises the peasants, and suddenly spots a statue of The Good Shepherd.
But it's just off the road, on Courcey's land. In a tense ending, he leans over Courcey's territory to grab the shepherd's crook, wherein is hidden the lost charter
All the dwellings around Wentworth Castle are empty. Cedric the Simple (Bill Shine) tells Ivanhoe about a star in the sky that had terrified the villagers, causing them to flee, for fear of "the end of the world."
Ivanhoe promises to get to the bottom of this! The castle he finds near deserted, only her ladyship Lady Maude (Naomi Chance) left, who repeats the sorry tale. All her serfs have fled, noone is left to take care of her lands. The only people left in her castle are some oriental entertainers, whose leader The Great Castro has also disappeared, together with his box of secret tricks.
Nearby, Baron Treville is admiring the chest of Castro's tricks. He attempts to torture Castro to learn the secret of these fireworks, which he plans to use to bring down Richard's kingdom. And for his own benefit, he will soon be in possession of Wentworth Castle and all its lands.
The rest of Castro's troupe, plus Ivanhoe as the Great Hassan dance and perform magic in front of the baron, whilst Gurth tries to release Castro. The Great Hassan, alias Ivanhoe, promises the Baron "a great surprise," but the Baron provides a bigger one by imprisoning Ivanhoe and Gurth, where they are locked up along with Castro. Yet Castro's magic powder is powerful enough to blow off the prison door.
"Man the guards at the gate... to arms!" shouts Baron Treville. There's a swordfight and after Ivanhoe and his men rout the Baron's soldiers, Treville is forced to admit his trickery in trying to get hold of all the local land: "I swear I will return the lands."
There's a final display of the last of Castro's gunpowder.
Brothers in Arms -
On the way to a monastery, Ivanhoe Gurth and Bart are held up by "robber, cattle thief, rebel and poet" Llewellyn, but as he "attacks only tyranny and injustice," Ivanhoe is allowed to pass in peace.
The monastery is the one where Ivanhoe learnt to read and write, and he's come to give old friend the abbot (Oliver Johnston) help. Though the monks are prospering there's a snag. "The Lord giveth, but the rule of Prince John taketh away." It's that age old problem of taxes, which the monks pay monthly to John's agent Sir Rupert, nicknamed Rupert the Ragged, on account of his miserliness. Some months, the payment the monks have been taking to him has not been received, and the monks have never returned.
'Tis a task for Sir Ivanhoe indeed! He enlists the help of Brother Gareth (Rupert Davies), who was once a fine swordsman, and some monks are trained to wield a sword in self defence.
Now they are drilled, Ivanhoe sets off in monk's disguise, accompanied by Gurth, with the next payment of taxes. The monks follow at a distance, with Barth a go-between, keeping in touch with the two groups.
At Ye Cromerfield Arms, Ivanhoe takes supper and the kindly landlord insists they have a free bed for the night. Of course it's a trap. The roof of the bed descends like some medieval torture to crush Ivanhoe, but thankfully Bart has come to warn of the approach of Sir Rupert's men, and all is well. Well, apart from a fierce swordfight, monks to the rescue. But as they are only trained to defend, it looks as though things will go badly for Ivanhoe's men until Llewellyn tilts the odds.
There's jubilation at the monastery when Sir Rupert agrees to waive those lost tax payments.
But this is the last story to include Bart, for he remains at the abbey so he can be taught to read. I had wondered where he diaappeared to, in so many of the tales!
An unconvincing trumpeter fanfares Excalibur, Arthur's legendary sword into the court of Lord Mauray (Peter Dyneley). The Abbot of Ashford
testifies that this relic, discovered floating on a lake is the 500 year old sword of the great king. Sir Morten (John Carson) challenges the claim, but when his sword is
split in two by Excalibur the genuineness seems proved. Mauray plans to donate Excalibur to Prince John
when he visits on All Saints Day.
"The magic sword is nonsense," states Ivanhoe, but unless the people can be disabused, John's claim to the throne is going to be strengthened by the aura of Excalibur.
Bertram of Leeds is a maker of the finest swords- has he crafted this counterfeit? Ivanhoe will never know, as he has been poisoned! Herbert the Goldsmith has an arrow in his back, so the two who could prove Mauray's swindle have been eliminated.
At Mauray's games tournament, a champion Greek wrestler is announced. Ivanhoe is taunted into taking him on, Mauray's plan to finish Ivanhoe off being transparent. But after the usual grunts
and groans seen on any Saturday afternoon Wrestling programme, the champion remains undefeated no longer. But having yielded, the coward attacks the victorious Ivanhoe, breaking his arm. Loud booing.
Now Ivanhoe is unable to wield a sword and the scheme to disprove Excalibur's power is in tatters. Ever resourceful, Ivanhoe trains to fight left handed, Gurth and Bertram's son fashioning him a sword light enough to fight with.
Another doubtful fanfare proclaims the arrival of Prince John. Ivanhoe v Mauray, a swordfight in traditional Errol Flynn style, with, naturally, good triumphant.
"The real Excalibur has no magic," pronounces the victor solemnly, "only a wise king." Thus Prince John's claims to the throne are silenced and the evil prince is forced to back down over his iniquitous taxation plans. if only modern day Chancellors of
the Exchequer could be made to do the same!
The Widow of Woodcote
In Cornwall, Ivanhoe is feeling faint after a gruelling tournament, too unwell to resist five thieves with masks which makes them look like magpies. Despite Gurth’s resistance, they “inherit” Ivanhoe’s hard-won trophies.
”We’ll catch up with them,” promises Ivanhoe, “when I’ve shaken off this fever.” They seek refuge in a small cottage of a reluctant widow (Peggy Marshall), who doesn’t welcome them at all. Gurth, however, helps her with some odd jobs, and this helpseke a shine to him. But what is the secret of her “fine” possessions, which seem to belie her outward poverty?
With Ivanhoe recovered, the search for the Magpies begins at the local inn. In cockney accent, Ivanhoe inquires “we’re looking for friends of ours.” When the villagers learn where he and Gurth have been staying, they denounce the widow as “a vile old witch,” and worse, remarks to which Gurth takes exception. A fight, but they are no wiser about the identity of the Magpies, so they return to the so-called widow, even though locals claim it’s her husband who has left her.
“My lord, I think I must take Master Gurth from you,” she informs Ivanhoe. He naturally isn’t too pleased. “I take what I want,” she snarls, and for sure, Gurth looks pleased to have her.
But though rather besotted, Ivanhoe persuades him to follow the widow as she pays a visit on her sons who live by an old tin mine. Gurth soon understands what a narrow escape he has had. For there in the mine are Ivanhoe’s trophies, as well as much other stolen loot: “a goodly profit in this sort of tin.” Lead by Ivanhoe, the villagers raid this “nest,” and the Magpies are routed, Gurth even spanking one of the widow’s “babies,” to her great disapproval. “You great oaf,” she shouts at Gurth, as she’s carried off in a cart to the gaol
Ivanhoe Menu
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Ivanhoe Menu
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The Devil's Dungeon
Ivanhoe Menu
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29 The Princess-
Here's a plot that could have been cribbed later for a Saint episode!
A messenger from King Roderick of Connaught asks Ivanhoe to accompany the king's daughter Deirdre (Delphi Lawrence) back to him in Ireland. For the past five years she has been held as an unwilling guest at the home of Lord Blackheath (Ivan Craig), an ally of Prince John. This has been enough to persuade Roderick to tentatively change allegiance from King Richard to John.
Now, Princess Deidre has been rescued from Blackwater's castle, but proves to be a headstrong young lady, insisting her full wardrobe is taken along with her, back to her homeland. No such niceties will Ivanoe permit, in his best Roger Moore-style. Indeed he demands she dons a peasant's garb to deceive Blackheath's pursuing band. "I'd sooner go back to Blackheath," she complains, prompting Ivanhoe to gently bind her up. She doesn't take to peasant food either. Bread and cheese she turns her nose up at.
The hounds of Blackheath are on the trail of Ivanhoe Deirdre and Gurth. They are now on foot, having attempted to lose their pursuers, so Ivanhoe makes for the nearest inn to borrow some more horses, whilst Gurth guards the princess. It's a hard task for this mere man; will he prove susceptible to her feminine charms? That rope that binds her is soon loosed, and with it, she ties him up! She seeks a comfy bed for the night at Ye Candlewyke, the very tavern where Blackheath is putting up. So she is soon on her way back to Blackheath Hall.
Ivanhoe tries reasoning with Lord Blackheath, who is "quite touched" by the vain appeal to bring him back into King Richard's fold. But he is less pleased when Ivanhoe and Gurth lock him in his own dungeon and make off with Princess Deirdre.
Later, at The Albatross, they have a good laugh over their "fair frolic"
In a wood, a consignment of gold, bound for King Richard's ransom, is ambushed. The attackers are men of Baron Courcy (John Bailey),
and after a fierce struggle, they carry away the loot to Alstyne Castle in the midlands.
Ivanhoe is puzzled when he is told the bad news, for Alstyne is held by a supporter of the King. But the mystery is solved when
Ivanhoe meets an exhausted Sir Richard of Alstyne (John Carson), who explains he had been thrown out of his home.
Once he has regained his strength, he vows to return with Ivanhoe to recapture the gold, which he's sure must be hidden in the deep
vault under the hall, known as The Devil's Dungeon.
Disguised as pilgrims, they walk to the castle, on the way Robert relating the legend of the dungeon.
"I smell trouble," notes Gurth as they enter the castle. He's right!
Baron Courcy greets Robert, who says "I have paid the price you set on my life and have herded the cattle to the slaughter."
There's a prolonged fight before Ivanhoe and Gurth are thrown into the dungeon- "die bravely, Sir Ivanhoe."
The gold is indeed stored there, but obviously the prisoners can't get it out. But as they mull over the legend of the dungeon,
they become convinced there must be "another way out." A moving stone is located at last. By a long tunnel they leave for freedom
outside the castle wall. Then with the aid of friend Will, all the gold is removed.
Sir Robert's conscience has got the better of him, and he's chucked into the vault too. When he exits via the tunnel Ivanhoe
challenges him to a "duel to the death." At one point, Richard could win but he refuses to strike the killer blow. And thus he is pardoned.
The series started on British tv around August 1958 though production of the 39 stories only finally finished in late January 1959. The mountain scenes were filmed in Snowdonia. The programme did exceptionally well in America and after three weeks in New York was top of the children's tv ratings, so naturally a second series was planned though sadly it was never made. Wrote Margaret Cowan in March 1959- "it will be a safe bet to say that they will now do a second series." In fact, all that happened was the props got used in a feature length film.
Sir Robert Fraser, ITA Chairman, sent the executive producer Ralph Smart a "congratulatory letter." Pity the Americans didn't do likewise. Smart stated in a Jan 1959 interview: "when we used to offer parts to the bigger names, we always got refusals. Now that they see the successes of these scripts, and if the parts are good, they accept."
In an early episode Conrad Phillips crocked his leg on location. Another accident occured when his right shoulder was injured in a swordfight. And in one scene "he almost got hanged" and received a "slight scar" round his neck to prove it. All genuine, as he had medical certificates to prove. Jennifer Jayne described her role as William Tell's wife as "the most action packed of her career." More worryingly, Ralph Smart told TV Times (17 Aug 58 edition) that she had nearly broken her neck "a few times." Apparently in the first few episodes she wore a long peasant costume which would cause her to trip up. The problem was solved when she was given "more boyish costumes."
Trivia Question: Who sang the theme, based on the William Tell Overture, in the British version? Click for the answer
The whole series was repeated on Bravo TV in the 1990's and is available on the Network dvd from various internet sellers-
1 THE EMPEROR'S HAT - The classic moment as Fatty Gessler compels WT, at a hundred paces, to shoot at the apple on his son's head. This was the first story, showing the Austrians invading the Swiss mountains to 'protect' its ungrateful inhabitants. This could well be the pilot of 'Bush and Iraq', sadly.
25 THE YOUNG WIDOW
30 THE SURGEON
37 CASTLE OF FEAR - A storm is howling as Klein (dear Erik Chitty) predicts "There's blood in that sky, Ere dawn three will die." Eva is being forced to marry Eric (Edwin Richfield), but enter WT to the rescue. He's really after a traitor, but surely he'll sort out Eva's marital doubts as well! A poisoned chalice starts the death trail.
38 THE SPIDER - Forged documents help WT into the castle of The Spider (played with his usual nervous energy by Donald Pleasence). Inside WT helps release some downtrodden Swiss women and children, whom the beastly Spider was planning to deport to Austria. (Other old favourites in it are John Horsley and Trevor Reid)
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THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTOstarring George Dolenz
1 The Affair of the Three Napoleons - (US pilot episode) A snuff box with 3 gold coins brings Mlle Morelle (Faith Domergue) to the man "battling injustice wherever he might find it." (Sounds rather like The Four Just Men introduction!) The Count fights to foil a plot on the king by the scheming Villefort
2 Pen and Sword (also US made) - I thought at first it was The Lone Ranger on his white steed riding through the Californian hills, but no, it's The Count delivering Veritas' flyer denouncing army general Jean Beauclair. His next target- the so-called Minister of Justice, Bonjean (Leslie Bradley) who is torturing printer DuBois, to get him to reveal the identity of this Veritas. The Count bankrupts Bonjean, winning a million francs from him at cards. But DuBois' daughter reveals to the Minister that Veritas is The Count, though thankfully this is all part of the Count's scheme to rescue DuBois from prison. There the Count proves the pen is mightier than the sword: "the voice of truth will never be silent." Note: the end credits state this story was "filmed in Hollwood"- wonder what happened to those studios?!
19 The Devil's Emissary (filmed in Britain) - "Soon I shall have my revenge!" declares Sgr Diabolo (John Sherman). With his henchman they terrorise a remote French valley. A failure to obey him, will mean it's the worse for Marie (Jan Holden), whom he holds prisoner under the spell of his mesmerism. Posing as Sgr Lucifer, our hero, The Count, deliberately walks into a trap in order to trick Diabolo into a confession of his wickedness
To Historical Menu
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LONG JOHN SILVER with Robert Newton
This Australian made series, in colour, gave Robert Newton the opportunity to continue his celebrated role as RL Stevenson's hero. Whilst many of the stories are predictably mundane, a few have genuine quality. I specially like #4 The Orphan's Christmas which is a good old fashioned seasonal tale. #25 The Tale of a Tooth has Newton at his comic best suffering toothache. #5 Execution Dock is a semi-masterpiece all on its own.
Some of the series was shown this decade numerous times on the satellite channel 'Life'.
2 The Pink Pearl -An Englishman commissions LJ's ship to sail to the island where his brother has settled. He's establishing a pearl trading post. But on arrival, the island chief declares he knows nothing of the man. Suspicious he certainly may be, a kind of Boris Karloff lookalike
4 The Orphan's Christmas - Almost Dickensian in flavour, this is the sad tale of some waifs who are not allowed to celebrate Christmas at their orphanage run by "old bag" Miss Willoughby. But after bedtime the kids are smuggled out to a surprise party whilst LJ learns why Miss W is a modern day Scrooge. Predictable ending, but for all that, a heartwarming treasure
5 Execution Dock - LJ has "landbound fever" and, says the doc, he "might drop dead". Bad news: he's not allowed any grog! Worse, he's taken away for trial. Worse still, his crew seem to be the prosecution. Even worse, he's found guilty and taken away for execution. And it's his 'friends' who've condemned him! As the chopper falls, he cries "Little Jimmy, he ain't even cryin". Surreal, hardly children's fare, but curious. Was the writer under the influence of Samuel Beckett? Or anyway, under the influence....
6 Devil's Stew - LJ's gambling debts force him to follow the example of reformed pirate Dixon into "honest tradin'." His cargo - pigs and goats! Fortunately he's ready in case Dixon betrays any dishonest treachery
9. Pieces Of Eight - LJ is a "landlocked beggar" as he owes taxes. Robbing some gold from the Spaniards seems a good idea, but there's treachery afoot during an epic jungle trek
14 Turnabout - LJ welcomes the French on board the Faithful not realising we're now at war with 'em. They hoist the Fleur-de-Lys and put LJ's men in irons. LJ volunteers to act as cook and worms his way into the cap'n's good books. A knife in cap'n's back results in a reversal of fortunes and LJ sails for harbour with his prisoners. But he takes pity on the poor Frenchman whom the governor sentences to death and we end in high farce
15 Miss Purity's Birthday- March 16th is the date, but in an unusually wistful story, who is there to remember Purity's birthday? Yet "what better way to celebrate" than visit the poor and sick with the reverend? LJ hasn't forgotten however and a rewarding day finishes with a 21-candle cake and a surprise party
16 The Eviction - Good tale of a fop, Lord Ellington, who gets Miss Purity's tavern closed down (not pure enough!). Naturally she's upset, until LJ opens his big mouth and invites her aboard The Faithful, "only temporary like." To the ship she adds her "touch of home", and soon, says LJ, the crew will be knitting doileys. But he redeems the situation by exposing a Spanish plot led by the foppish Lord. The gov offers him a reward. Money? "There be more important things to a man, " replies LJ, "than the jingle of gold." All ends happily for him, as the tavern is reopened. It's not recorded if Miss P is quite so pleased.
18 Dead Reckoning - To avoid being forcibly returned to England, Jim lad has to be sent abroad to boarding school but he's caned so often for the misdemeanours of a posh twerp he runs away. Will he be able to set a course for home by dead reckoning that Long John has taught him?
19 Sword of Vengeance - Perhaps the script writer had been watching too many Errol Flynn movies, as he wrote a mighty long sword fight into such a short story. LJ rescues an Irishman he finds dying on a ghost ship, who swears vengeance on his enemy, the ugly de Vegas, who's forcing his beloved into marriage. Complicated? Yes, but fun
20 Dragon Slayer- LJ and Miss Purity have fallen out, so cue Cap'n Redbeard who hatches a plot to enable LJ to come like a "knight in shining armour" to rescue the kidnapped Miss P. Redbeard however proves just a trifle treacherous
25 The Tale of a Tooth -This be about Jim lad, whose bad tooth is pulled out without any fuss by the age old method of tying string to a door handle. After LJ boasts how easy it is, we just know that LJ is going to get toothache. On a voyage he becomes irritable and rejects all attempts to draw the offending tooth. Is he a coward?! Well hardly: "the hammerin's beatin' so hard, I can feel the pain in the toes in the leg I ain't got!"
26 Ship O’ The Dead - (final story) - Jim lad finds a ship full o' dead men, but will anyone believe him? Not when that ship, the Rachel, later sails into port with its full crew. The lad is right however as pirates have taken over the vessel to steal its cargo of gold. Jim finishes up a hero in the style of LJ himself as single handedly he captures the Rachel.
Historical Menu
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SIR LANCELOT with William Russell as Sir Lancelot.
The production company Sapphire stated at the start of 1957 that although the cost was a third more, the series was now being filmed in colour. The reasoning was- "the product will not be outmoded when colout TV finally gets here." Thankfully most of these coloured films have been preserved on the Network dvd, making this series almost unique amongst 1950's British television.