courage and revenge and love and combat and victory and honor and defense and reconciliation . those ideal deeply hidden within the human spirit have long be consider precious target of human life . not only poetry and literature but also epic movie attempt to promote the virtue and depict humanity in the spirit of reason and heart . the question be represent historical time . in this respect and there be and perhaps and no good period in history than the 1 and 000 year long middle age and both controversial and spiritual with a flair for darkness and exceptional enlightenment . among many other epic movie that depict the period be ivanhoe base on sir walter scott novel be at the same time a remake of the 1952 classic hollywood production . keep in mind that remake usually face high expectation in case of their classic predecessor and i watch this movie without much refer to the old version and that be how i intend to comment on it underneath . let me say at the beginning that ivanhoe by douglas camfield be a very good movie at multiple level . it make a perfect use of historical material supply u with a clear and pretty accurate insight into medieval england and and and more specifically and it late 12th century situation with savage conflict and difficult political situation and anglo saxon vs normans relation and prejudice as well a those visual aspect like costume and feast and bath . in this respect and the movie may constitute for a viewer a wonderful journey into those distant time and bring out some pearl out of prefabricated negative opinion about the middle age . there be and indeed and something good about the period and too . the aspect of interest highlight in this case appear to be ashbey sequence where the savage combine with the glamorous or the deep psychology and moral of character express in many scene throughout . here and it seem necessary to mention lady rowena ( lysette anthony ) and rebecca ( olivia hussey ) and two woman of different background who face similar emotion . besides and ivanhoe can boast very good cinematography and wonderful shot and stunning location . consider and for instance and the subtle image at the scene when ivanhoe visit lady rowena at her castle with wamba ( george innes ) . the extraordinary location and interesting shot make the film not only a historical work but also a rousing adventure . moreover and to these artistic feature and i would add a very accurate sense of humor ( consider the scene of a bath or wamba pax vobiscum ) and subtle musical score . the tune be fill with the spirit of chivalry and the spirit of romance which and alone and can resemble the very essence of the story . but and the core of art be act . the movie know for a number of famous and talented cast could be falsely assess a a vehicle . yet and it do not have to be a promotion for anybody . to the contrary and it be a film that prove the importance of talent first and foremost . all the cast take great pain to give something truly great of themselves . anthony andrew be a perfect ivanhoe a describe by sir scott and a imagine by modern viewer . he clearly portray a character of courage and nobility and gentleness . sam neill and john rhys davy appear to give powerful performance a norman dog people not so much afraid for the good but rather absorb by savage brutality . james mason do a fine job a calm and good jew and isaac of york and whose destiny appear to have bring more wound than cure . the female role be brilliant . here and however and i would not praise that much lysette anthony represent i admit she be beautiful and she give a memorable performance . yet and the absolute top notch be olivia hussey and the famous heroine at zeffirelli appear here a a gentle and subtle and beautiful jewess whose individually form spirituality conquers externally organize morality of many pious men of god . she give a brilliant performance a a flower of peace fearfully surround by the thorn of war and the light of tolerance surround by the darkness of prejudice . absolutely great role . consider and among many and the scene depict the trial . in the end and if you see this ivanhoe and do not compare it with the old version . these be two different film focus on different aspect . if someone insist on me to say which one be well and i would rather say both be good film . thorpe ivanhoe be a typical epic of the classic hollywood era while camfield ivanhoe stand out on it own a a movie fill with remarkable psychology and adventure . great tribute to the real courage and the chivalrous spirit .