Ciarán Hinds in chainmail being evil? Sir Christopher Lee judging everyone? Take my money.
Season 1 • Episode 6
LatestFinal part of the adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's novel. De Beaumanoir has ordered that Rebecca be burnt at the stake. She refuses Bois-Guilbert's offer to save her and insists on trial by combat. She sends her father to find Ivanhoe to fight for her. Athelstane appears at his own funeral which jeopardises Rowena and Ivanhoe's wedding plans. King Richard has returned to claim the throne off John and Queen Eleanor has to try and resolve their differences.
The epic tale of the idealistic young knight Ivanhoe and his battle against the evil Templar Bois-Guilbert. Caught between the rivalries and religious struggles are Ivanhoe's betrothed Rowena and the brave, beautiful Jewess healer Rebecca, who wins Ivanhoe's heart with her courage. This grand six-part adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's rousing adventure of the Middle Ages is set against the historical backdrop of a Britain straining under the corrupt rule of Prince John while Richard the Lionhearted fights in the Crusades.
Acting
Ciarán Hinds makes villainy weirdly vulnerable
Costume
Templar robes that scream 'problematic but make it fashion'
Production
BBC budget stretching for tournament grandeur
Steven Waddington
Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe
Ciarán Hinds
Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Susan Lynch
Rebecca
Aden Gillett
Robin of Locksley
Christopher Lee
Lucas de Beaumanoir
Roger Ashton-Griffiths
Prior Aymer
Trevor Cooper
Gurth
James Cosmo
Cedric
Ralph Brown
Prince John
Jimmy Chisholm
Wamba
David Barrass
Hubert
David Horovitch
Isaac
Ronald Pickup
Waldemar Fitzurse
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Christopher Lee was 75 and still serving absolute Templar menace in that heavy costume.
Sir Walter Scott basically invented medieval nostalgia with this 1819 novel—blame him for Renaissance Faires.
GB
