Fact1: Rassendyll is puzzled by odd reactions of natives to him, Fact2: soon-to-be-crowned king turns out to be not only his distant relative, Fact3: Zapt celebrate acquaintance by drinking late into night, Fact4: Rudolf is delighted with bottle of wine sent to him by half-brother, Fact5: Michael To be marry Flavia king
Output: In June 1897, English gentleman Rudolf Rassendyll Ronald Colman takes a fishing vacation in a small country in the Balkans unnamed in the film; Ruritania in the novel. While there, he is puzzled by the odd reactions of the natives to him. Rassendyll discovers why when he meets Colonel Zapt C. Aubrey Smith and Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim David Niven. Zapt introduces him to the soontobecrowned king, Rudolf V Colman again, who turns out to be not only his distant relative, but also looks just like him except for the Englishmans beard. The king, astounded at first, takes a great liking to the Englishman. They celebrate their acquaintance by drinking late into the night. Rudolf is particularly delighted with the bottle of wine sent to him by his halfbrother, Duke Michael Raymond Massey, so much so that he drinks it all himself. The next morning brings a disastrous discovery: the wine was drugged. Rudolf cannot be awakened, and if he cannot attend his coronation that day, Michael will try to usurp the throne. It is revealed that Michael is bitter that, because his mother was not of royal blood, the younger Rudolf is the heir to the kingdom. Zapt convinces a reluctant Rassendyll to impersonate Rudolf for the ceremony. Rassendyll meets Rudolfs betrothed, Princess Flavia Madeleine Carroll. She had always detested her cousin Rudolf, but now finds him greatly changed – very much for the better, in her opinion. As they spend time together, they fall in love. With the coronation accomplished, Rassendyll returns to resume his real identity, only to find the king has been kidnapped by Rupert of Hentzau Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Michaels charmingly amoral henchman. Rassendyll is forced to continue the impersonation while Zapt searches for Rudolf. Fortunately, Michael cannot denounce the masquerade without incriminating himself. Help comes from an unexpected quarter. To be king, Michael must marry his cousin Flavia. Antoinette de Mauban Mary Astor, Michaels jealous French mistress, reveals that the king is being held in Michaels castle near Zenda and promises to help rescue him. Since Rudolf would be executed at the first sign of a rescue attempt, she proposes that one man swim the moat and hold off his wouldbe assassins while loyal troops storm the castle. Rassendyll decides that he is that man, over Zapts strenuous objections. Their carefully laid plans go awry when Michael finds Rupert trying to seduce his mistress. After Rupert kills him, a heartbroken Antoinette blurts out enough to alert Rupert to his danger. Rassendyll kills the two guards, but must fight a prolonged duel with Rupert while at the same time trying to lower the drawbridge to let Zapt and his men in. When he finally succeeds, Rupert flees. Rudolf is restored to his throne. Rassendyll tries to persuade Flavia to leave with him, but her devotion to duty is too great, and their parting is bittersweet.