Ivanhoe

In the twelfth century, England is divided along ethno-religious lines, with the Saxons on one side and the Normans on the other. King Richard the Lionheart (Norman Wooland), who is supported by the Saxons, is kidnapped in returning from the Crusades. Against his father Cedric's (Finlay Currie's) orders leading to Cedric disowning him as a son, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe (Robert Taylor), one of Richard's knights and faithful subjects, goes in search of Richard, Ivanhoe's absence leading to speculation by the Normans that he is dead. Ivanhoe is able to locate Richard, who is being held captive by Leopold of Austria with the knowledge of Richard's brother, Prince John (Guy Rolfe), who has assumed the throne in Richard's absence with the support of the Normans. The ransom for Richard's release is the enormous sum of one hundred fifty marks of silver. Knowing that he cannot come up with that sum of silver through the Saxons alone, Ivanhoe approaches the Jews, led by Isaac (Felix Aylmer), for their support, despite the Jews being regarded as infidels. Despite already being in love with Lady Rowena (Joan Fontaine), one of his father's wards, Ivanhoe mutually develops feelings for Rebecca (Dame Elizabeth Taylor), Isaac's beautiful daughter. Beyond freeing Richard, Ivanhoe has to coordinate the Saxon forces, with the Jews by their side, to depose John from the throne, John protected by his army led by Norman knight, Brian De Bois-Guilbert (George Sanders). For De Bois-Guilbert, defeating the Saxons is not so much the honor of protecting John, but rather knowing that he has defeated who he knows the instigator of the Saxons being Ivanhoe, especially as De Bois-Guilbert is in love with Rebecca. As such, Rebecca and Rowena end up being pawns used by the Normans in the battle for the throne.