The Prisoner of Zenda

In June 1897, English gentleman Rudolf Rassendyll travels to Ruritania for a fishing vacation and notices the locals treat him oddly. He is introduced to Colonel Zapt and Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim, who reveal the young King Rudolf V resembles him. The king invites Rassendyll to stay at the royal hunting lodge, sparking the idea of a doppelgänger plot.

The king drinks a wine gifted by his scheming half-brother Duke Michael, which is laced with drugs and leaves him unconscious. With Rudolf unable to attend the coronation, Michael would seize the throne as Regent. Zapt convinces a reluctant Rassendyll to impersonate Rudolf for the ceremony to preserve the succession.

Rassendyll meets Princess Flavia, Rudolf V's betrothed, who has long disliked her cousin. As they spend time together in his impersonation, Flavia begins to fall for the man she believes is Rudolf. Their growing affection adds personal stakes to the impersonation.

The coronation proceeds with Rassendyll masquerading as Rudolf, fulfilling a crucial duty to the realm. He manages court duties and the crowd while Michael's ambition looms in the background. The real Rudolf is still missing, heightening tension in the castle.

After the coronation, Rassendyll returns to his own identity, only to learn that Rudolf V has been kidnapped by Rupert of Hentzau, Michael's charming but dangerous ally. Rassendyll is forced to continue the impersonation to safeguard the king's throne.

Antoinette de Mauban, Michael's jealous French mistress, reveals to Rassendyll that the king is being held in Michael's castle near Zenda and that a rescue is possible. She suggests a plan where one man swims the moat and holds off the assassins while loyal troops storm the castle. Rassendyll decides to take on the risky mission.

Rassendyll, with Tarlenheim and Antoinette, begins the escape from the castle, complying with the plan that he will swim the moat. Zapt objects but ultimately supports the daring rescue. The plan hinges on timing and stealth to avoid alerting Michael.

Rupert notices Antoinette's defection and tries to kill Rassendyll, a plan that backfires when Antoinette unintentionally warns Rupert of danger. The rescue party's efforts become complicated by internal betrayal and the need to reach the king's location.

Rassendyll fights guards and engages in a prolonged duel with Rupert while attempting to lower the drawbridge to let Zapt and his men inside. He ultimately defeats Rupert, and Rupert flees into the night.

With the danger passed, King Rudolf resumes his royal powers and duties, restoring order to the realm. Rassendyll witnesses the king's return but remains torn by his love for Flavia.

Rassendyll attempts to persuade Flavia to leave with him, but her sense of duty keeps her in place and their relationship ends on a bittersweet note. Their farewell underscores the conflict between personal happiness and royal obligation.

Zapt and Tarlenheim escort Rassendyll to the border, where Fritz notes that fate doesn't always make the right man king, and Zapt salutes him as the noblest Elphburg. Rassendyll rides across the border into anonymity, completing his extraordinary ordeal.