The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings

A new addition to a poor London family, Tom Canty (Billy Mauch) enters the world on the same day as the child who's in line to be king. As boys, Tom and his royal counterpart bump into one another, and after realizing that they're virtual twins, they swap outfits and the boys end up trading homes. Tom soon draws the ire of a scheming royal aide (Claude Rains), but palace hanger-on Miles Hendon (Errol Flynn) comes to his defense, as both boys try to reclaim their identities.

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The Prince and the Pauper

Critics Reviews

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The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Warner does all right by the Twain tale. Rated: 3/4 Feb 10, 2024 Full Review The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine The kids are surrounded with a terrific cast, including Claude Rains, Errol Flynn, Barton MacLane... May 5, 2020 Full Review The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine It's a sort of Tom Sawyer-Huckleberry Finn adventure in a royal sixteenth-century setting. Aug 7, 2019 Full Review The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It's fine as passable entertainment. Rated: C+ Jan 14, 2014 Full Review The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Daniel Eagan Film Journal International Smart Twain adaptation with plenty of derring-do Rated: 4/5 Oct 28, 2005 Full Review The Prince and the Pauper | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jun 19, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Ok version thanks to the cast, Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/08/24 Full Review Bill T FAIRLY cute adaptation of the Mark Twain Novel.. not a big fan of the author quite frankly.. Anyways, this is the tale where a prince and a beggar who look awfully alike get together and swap clothes and then find themselves stuck in the clothes so to speak. The kids who play the title role are cute and do a good job, Errol Flynn looks like he's there for the paycheque. Do we really absolutely need the swordfighting scenes from him? Oh, while we're on it. I'm sure I know how coronations work, so we didn't need the 20 minute one that is the main setpiece of the final act. It's fantastically detailed, but dreadfully uneccessary. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Yes, I know that Billy and Bobby Mauch are playing the title roles, but my complaint still stands. Errol = cute; Mauch Twins= Not so much. Flynn really rocks thigh high boots well-- a look that really only works if you're tall and long legged.Flynn was his usual dashing hero self and Rains was excellent as the Earl. The Mauch twins were fine, though there was a little too much giggling for my tastes. I thought that they brought Mark Twain's story to life pretty well.I enjoyed Errol's 2:1 sword fight and his eventual duel with Alan Hale. This may be the only film in which Errol and Alan are adversaries rather than allies. While normally I wouldn't have a preference for a film being in color or black and white, I cannot help but think that this film would have looked better in Technicolor. With the elaborate sets and costumes, the addition of Technicolor would have aesthetically enhanced the the look of the film. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review kevin w Complications ensue when the prince of the kingdom decides to play-act/pretend he's a commoner, switching clothes with a poor boy, just as the king dies on the throne. Evil rapscallions try to use the opportunity to attempt seizing control of the kingdom. The Mauch Twins are sympathetic and compelling as the titled leads, trying their best to fit into the awkward yet dangerous situations they find themselves in. Errol Flynn's part is actually the worst in the movie, scarcely written at all but to say "he shows up to save the boys", other than that, there's no rationale for him to be in the film at all. Still, an old school film for the entire family, still worthy after years of service! Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Errol Flynn y Claude Rains! en esta aceptable versiòn del clà sico de Mark Twain- Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member There is either a mad prince or a beggar on the thrown.Two little boys run into each other in the back yard of the palace. They decide it would be neat to switch places; the problem, one of the boys is the son of the King of England and the other is a poor boy. When the poor boy has to become the King of England because the king dies, their little game becomes complicated. Can the poor boy work with a local swordsman to find a way back to the throne?"It may have happened. It may not have happened. But it could have happened."William Keighley, director of The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Street with No Name, G Men, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Valley of the Giants, and The Match King, delivers The Prince and the Pauper. The storyline for this picture is fun to watch unfold and very entertaining. The script is clever and well written and everyone delivers a solid performance. The cast include Errol Flynn, Alan Hale, Barton MacLane, Claude Rains, and Henry Stephenson."One day I'll have your head for calling me that; or maybe your feet, they're more in the way."This is a movie I DVR'd because it starred the great Errol Flynn. I found the movie fun and was surprised he didn't join the film until it was two-thirds over. Overall, this is a very entertaining picture that is fun and can be enjoyed by the whole family. This is definitely a classic picture that is underrated."The king is dead."Grade: B- Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Prince and the Pauper

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Cast & Crew

William Keighley Director Errol Flynn Miles Hendon Claude Rains Earl of Hertford Billy Mauch Tom Canty Robert J. Mauch Prince Edward Henry Stephenson Duke of Norfolk
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The Prince and the Pauper

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Synopsis A new addition to a poor London family, Tom Canty (Billy Mauch) enters the world on the same day as the child who's in line to be king. As boys, Tom and his royal counterpart bump into one another, and after realizing that they're virtual twins, they swap outfits and the boys end up trading homes. Tom soon draws the ire of a scheming royal aide (Claude Rains), but palace hanger-on Miles Hendon (Errol Flynn) comes to his defense, as both boys try to reclaim their identities.

Director
William Keighley

Producer
Hal B. Wallis

Screenwriter
Laird Doyle

Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts

Genre
Adventure

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
May 5, 1937, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2009

Runtime
2h 0m
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