A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
A kingdom's ascending heir, marked for assassination, switches identities with a lookalike, who takes his place at the coronation. When the real king is kidnapped, his followers try to find him, while the stand-in falls in love with the king's intended bride, the beautiful Princess Flavia.
Quick Stats
6.9
TMDB Rating
60
Votes
1h 40m
Runtime
$1.7M
Budget
$5.6M
Box Office
329%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorRichard Thorpe
WriterEdward E. Rose
CinematographyJoseph Ruttenberg
ComposerAlfred Newman
EditorGeorge Boemler
Production DesignRichard Pefferle
Produced by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Where to Watch
Rent
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Critics & Reviews
3 featured@celeste_writes
@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast

Stewart Granger
Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V

Deborah Kerr
Princess Flavia

James Mason
Rupert of Hentzau

Louis Calhern
Col. Zapt

Jane Greer
Antoinette de Mauban

Lewis Stone
The Cardinal

Robert Douglas
Michael, Duke of Strelsau

Robert Coote
Fritz von Tarlenheim

Peter Brocco
Johann

Francis Pierlot
Josef

Jay Adler

Kathleen Freeman
J
John Goldsworthy

Thomas Browne Henry

Doris Lloyd







