Brian de Bois-Guilbert is treated more ambiguously than in most versions of the story. He develops some genuine affection for Rebecca of York towards the end, and although he could easily have won the fight against the wounded and weakened Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Brian de Bois-Guilbert lowers his sword and allows himself to be killed, thus saving Rebecca's life.
Plot summary
Upon returning from the Crusades, Ivanhoe, Robin Hood and the Saxons work to restore King Richard to the throne with opposition from Prince John, his Norman knights, and the Knights Templar.
The film was part of a slate of films from Columbia Pictures Television then under Herman Rush.[1] Anthony Andrews' casting was announced in September 1981.[2] "It's impossible to make Ivanhoe without being a bit tongue in cheek," said Andrews.[3]
Michael Hordern said, "You could change our costumes from 12th Century to 20th Century and have us running about in automobiles instead of on horseback, and you could do the same story in terms of prejudice is still very strong. Human nature doesn't seem to have changed very much since Cedric's time."[4]
"The problem with Ivanhoe is that he is whiter than white, cleaner than clean", said Andrews. "He's a straight-cut hero with no rough edge. Each time he opens his mouth, he says something incredibly just. The problem was to turn him into a human being."[5]
^SETTING A TV STUDIO BACK ON COURSE: RUSH: HE TURNED COLUMBIA AROUND
Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 02 Sep 1981: g1.
^UPDATE
Margulies, Lee. Los Angeles Times 6 Sep 1981: r5.
^Days M old
Colvin, Clore. The Observer 27 Sep 1981: 31
^COVER STORY; ANDREWS STARS IN TV'S IVANHOE'; BRIDESHEAD'S' SEBASTIAN PLAYS SCOTT'S SWASHBUCKLING HERO: [FIRST Edition]
Jack Thomas Globe Staff. Boston Globe 21 Feb 1982: 1.
^BEING CAREFUL IS NOT IN MY NATURE'
Blau, Eleanor. New York Times 21 Feb 1982: A.21.
