IVANHOE

CLASSIC FILM CHOICE

(1952) U ●

Saturday, 2.30pm, BBC2 ★★★★ The epic of Hollywood’s golden age gave cinemagoers big stars, extravagant sets, lavish costumes and heroic stories – all set in bygone eras, from biblical times onwards. Among the studios throwing their weight behind these films was MGM, who produced such classics as Ben-hur (1959), as well as this adventure. Set in medieval England, it stars Robert Taylor as Wilfred of Ivanhoe, one of Richard the Lionheart’s loyal knights. Battling to restore Richard to the throne, Ivanhoe faces duels and jousts, and remains steadfast as Elizabeth Taylor (above, with Taylor) and Joan Fontaine flutter their eyelashes at him. There’s another chance to see the Talking Pictures on Epics today at 1.45pm (BBC2), and the 1982 Ivanhoe is on Wednesday at 9pm (Sony Classic).