Perhaps it is a bit unfair to fairly rate a serial that was made way back in 2010. However, this review is not about the quality of the movie, but rather about how true it is to the real thing. The serial is a make of the 1820 novel 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. Like other lovers of historicals, I love the novel and have read it about thrice. The narrative of the book is second to none. It's therefore very disheartening to see the storyline being totally bastardized the way the serial has made it. This is unlike other epics such as Lord of The Rings where the makers of the movie consciously made much effort to keep to the original storyline. From the very beginning, the story is twisted. Wamba's famous dressing is missing, the clever dialogues which Wamba & Gurth have with the Normans are watered down, the giant Athelstane is now normal size, fearful isn't so fearful anymore, and terrible to behold, Wilfred (of Ivanhoe) reveals himself to Rowena! Moreso, the story has been changed to make Wilfred something of a pariah. The reason for this drastic change is bewildering, but only serves to water down the rest of the plot. In fact, I was unable to watch this serial past the first two episodes. I really do hope they do a remake one of these days that will do justice to Sir Walter Scott's masterpiece.
Review of Ivanhoe
