THE PRISONER OF ZENDA

Summary.


Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll typical yang gentleman, rich, handsome, educated and thirsty for adventure. He is an excellent swordsman. Told that his flaming red hair points to a rumour of royal indiscretions, he is drawn to visit Ruritania.

While there to see the coronation of King RudolfV, he discovers he looks exactly like the king. Unknown to him, there is a power struggle in the country, and he is about to be thrown into the center ring.

The king’s younger brother Duke Michael, knowing his brothers habits, sends him a bottle a drugged wine. When the king becomes unconscious, it is feared he will miss his own coronation. This is what Michael wants, so that he can be crowned king in his place (and marries the lovely Princesses Flavia).

The English Rudolf is persuaded by the king’s adviser to pretend to be the king for a short while, so that the coronation can take place as planned. Despite being aware of the threat to his life, he agrees. He is, in fact, crowned RudolfV during the ceremony. When the king is kidnapped by the villainous Michael, he has to continue to impersonate him. It becomes a dangerous battle of wits as the good guys race to save the king, with the treacherous Michael seemingly always one step ahead.

As Rudolf settle into his role he find himself falling in love with the Princess Flavia, who is promised to the real king. The feelings are mutual. Favia, who never liked the frivolous and weak-minded king, is surprise to see the “king” is now very intelligent, reliable and honorable
The king is being held at the castle in Zenda by Black Michael and his men. The handsome but ruthless Rupert of Hentzau is one of the Famous Six holding the king prisoner. Michael’s men are brave and capable fighters, ready to fight to th death.

In spite of not really liking the king, several of his subjects are willing to try and save him for the sake of the country. Duke Michael is far worst as he is cruel and cunning. Rudolf joins the kings faithful servants Colonel Sept, Fritz von Tarlenheim and Marshall to mount a rescue. Deadly gunfights and swordfights follow as Rassendyll and the royal friends fight Duke Michael and his lackeys. After many danger and setbacks they succeed and the king is brought back to Streslau, where he will reign as if he had never been away.

Alas, this means both joy and heart break for Rudolf and Flavia, who knows she could never love King Rudolf as he is a weak ruler with more interest in wine than government. Will she run away to England with him? Placing honour above self, the two young people sacrifice their love and do their duty to the country. Flavia marries a man she will never love and Rudolf returns to England a bachelor.

But every year, Rudolf Rassendyll meets Fritz in Germany to exchange a very precious gift-a single red rose in a box-with a Princess he can never meet again.