Ivanhoe

In late 12th century England, Prince John rules over a divided kingdom, causing resentment among both Saxons and Normans. His authority is challenged by the absence of his brother, King Richard, who is leading the Third Crusade and is rumored to be dead.

The Saxon knight Ivanhoe embarks on a journey back to England and discovers King Richard imprisoned in Austria. Richard is being held captive because Prince John refuses to pay his ransom, leading Ivanhoe to devise a plan to rescue him.

Ivanhoe returns to England, where he disguises himself as a minstrel to visit his estranged father, Cedric. This visit is crucial, as Ivanhoe hopes to reconcile with Cedric and seek financial help for Richard's ransom.

At Cedric's castle, a banquet is held where both Normans and Saxons are welcomed. Here, Ivanhoe is only recognized by his loyal servant, Wamba, while tensions rise between the guests over the presence of a Jewish traveler, Isaac.

During the banquet, discussions about an upcoming tournament in Ashby arise, rekindling old rivalries. Cedric bitterly reflects on Ivanhoe's estrangement, claiming his son is dead to him, unaware that Ivanhoe is present in disguise.

Later that night, while Isaac is attacked by Norman soldiers, Ivanhoe intervenes and saves him. Grateful for the assistance, Isaac agrees to help Ivanhoe collect the funds needed for King Richard's ransom.

At an inn, Ivanhoe encounters a woman who is the servant of Isaac's daughter, Rebecca. She offers him jewels to help finance his participation in the tournament, revealing her beauty and connection to Isaac's family.

At the tournament presided over by Prince John, Ivanhoe, dressed in black armor, reveals his identity as a Saxon knight. He quickly impresses the crowd by defeating five Norman knights in a series of matches.

After winning the tournament, Ivanhoe is wounded in a confrontation with Guilbert. Rebecca cares for his injuries, while Rowena, his childhood love, begins to sense a deep connection between Ivanhoe and Rebecca.

Ivanhoe learns that his friends and allies, including Rowena and Cedric, have been taken captive by Guilbert. In a desperate move, he approaches Guilbert to negotiate their release, but is imprisoned himself.

Rebecca stands trial for witchcraft, with Guilbert being the only one to defend her. As witnesses lie against her, Ivanhoe, hiding in the shadows, realizes he must act to save her from execution.

Ivanhoe dramatically challenges the court to allow him to fight Guilbert, claiming the right to defend Rebecca. Prince John reluctantly accepts this challenge, setting the stage for a life-or-death battle.

During the tournament, as Ivanhoe battles Guilbert, King Richard returns, forcing John to accept his authority. Ivanhoe ultimately defeats Guilbert, who dies and confesses his love for Rebecca, revealing the depth of their entangled fates.

After the battle, Rowena questions Rebecca about Ivanhoe's affections. Although Rebecca insists that Ivanhoe's heart belongs to Rowena, the complex emotional dynamics among them are left unresolved, hinting at lasting conflict.