Trama

Back from a crusade, the hero of Sir Walter Scott's novel fights for courtly love and Saxon honor.

In the days when the Christian knights were fighting for the cross in the Holy Land, Prince John held the reins of government in England. John's greed was greater than his fraternal affection and he sought every means to support his claim on the crown against the time his brother, the rightful king, should return. There lived at this time also at Rotherwood, not many miles from where Sheffield now stands, a Saxon nobleman named Cedric. He was of the fast dwindling ancient Saxon race, but had refused the yoke of the invading Normans, at least in spirit. Wilfred, his son, rather favored the Court of King Richard, and Coeur de Lion rewarded him with the manor "Ivanhoe." Dwelling with Cedric was a beautiful Saxon girl of the blood royal named Rowena and it was Ivanhoe's lot that he should fall in love with his adopted sister, though the father objected on the ground that he had knelt to his enemies. Ivanhoe had subsequently Joined Richard the Lionheart in the Holy Land and the years passed on without news of him. Prince John bestowed Ivanhoe's barony on Reginald de Boen, a licentious Norman. Rowena is sought by Athelstane in marriage with the approval of Cedric. She refuses. Ivanhoe has returned from his adventures, and, disguised as a holy man, approaches his father and sweetheart in order to learn of their present feelings towards him. Still in disguise he meets Rowena and hands her a scroll in his own handwriting, and the girl is much pleased, for she has never forgotten her childhood companion. From here the scene changes to a forest where are seen two weary travelers trying to gain shelter before sunset. These are the wealthy Jewish moneylender, Isaac of York, and his daughter, Rebecca. The former is disguised as a poor peddler, the better to ply his trade of usury, without revealing evidence of his wealth. They are admitted to Cedric's mansion, though everyone shrinks from the old man, who is forced to eat his food by the fireside. Rebecca, a beauty, however, attracts the attention of de Bois Guilbert to the extent that he seats her beside him at the table and showers insulting attentions upon her. Ivanhoe, still in his disguise, comes forward to lend protection. Suspecting that the Jew has money the knights retire to complete plans to capture. Ivanhoe overhears, and, rushing to the Jew and his daughter, conducts them out of the castle. Immediately after they have passed out, the knight finds himself attacked on all sides by the conspirators, and though he makes a brave struggle to cut off the pursuit, he is finally left stunned and weakened by loss of blood. On recovering consciousness he observes his father and sweetheart, Rowena, being borne off captive, and too weak to succor them he drags himself into the forest and falls fainting again at the feet of Isaac. When he again regains consciousness it is to find that his new friends have vanished. Father and daughter, seeking water in the woods, have been captured as Ivanhoe's father and sweetheart had been. We are next taken into the camp of Robin Hood. A stranger has come into their midst and revealed himself to the leader as Richard the Lionheart, alone and sad, for while he is still the King of England he has yet to regain his throne. Robin and the Friar revive his moody spirits and it was the boisterous laughter of the Black Knight that attracted the faint Ivanhoe in the woods nearby. The meeting of these two characters is picturesque. Ivanhoe tells of his troubles and enlists the aid not alone of the King and Robin, but all his followers. There is a blast of the horn and from the hillsides a great army swarm down. The march is rapid, followed by a vicious attack upon the Torquilstone Castle, where the four are held prisoners. De Bois Guilbert is forced to leave off his attentions to the women and the torture of the miserable Jew to lead in the defense. In the press of the bloody battle is seen the stalwart form of Ivanhoe, while almost equal in prowess are the feats of the Black Knight. The Normans are forced back into their castle. Believing the odds are against him the villain throws the Jewish maiden upon his horse and escapes; he takes her to the tribunal of the Order of Good Templars on a charge of sorcery out of revenge for his defeat. There remained but one chance for her to escape with her life and that was to find some knight to establish her innocence by defeating in mortal combat her accuser. News of this is brought to Ivanhoe by Gurth and he does not hesitate to champion her cause. The day of doom arrives; Rebecca is bound to the stake and the faggots are piled round her feet. The trumpet is blown once as a signal for the champion. There is no response. It is blown again, and, as the flames lick upward, there comes through the amazed crowd a knight. What follows is a merciless fight between de Bois and Ivanhoe. As the latter is declared the victor the Black Knight arrives on the scene, casts off his disguise and discloses himself as the King. Ivanhoe is reconciled to his father and is married, later, by the Duke of York. Rebecca, aching for the love of the gallant knight, joins her hand to that of Rowena and then departs with her father. In the last scene of the film we have Isaac embracing his daughter. She, however, seems not to notice his caresses; her eyes are turned toward the sunset. Before her arises a vision of the knight in the arms of his bride and she reflects on the happiness that will be his in the love of Rowena and thus, in that bitter-sweet joy which only self-sacrifice can give, we leave her.—Moving Picture World synopsis

Cedric, an old Saxon noble, lives in his secluded castle with his foster daughter, Lady Rowena. Lady Rowena is betrothed to Ivanhoe, Cedric's son, though Cedric is estranged from Ivanhoe as he hoped Lady Rowena would marry someone descended from the Saxon kings, specifically Athelstane.

John Lackland is the brother to the King of England, Richard the Lionheart. Lackland plans to make a move on his brother's throne while Richard is in Palestine fighting in the Crusades. However, he first must get rid of the nobles would oppose him, none more important than the popular Cedric.

Ivanhoe arrives at Cedric's castle, though he enters disguised as a monk to avoid his father's wrath. He delivers a letter to Lady Rowena from Ivanhoe, expressing his love and hope she will remain faithful. Athelstane, who Lady Rowena was supposed to marry, alerts Cedric of the letter.

Isaac of York, a wealthy traveler, and his daughter Rebecca wonder the countryside before he collapses in exhaustion.

John Lackland arrives at Cedric's castle under the auspices of friendship and is given a large feast. Ivanhoe, still in disguise, attends the greeting and meal. He calls a toast to Richard the Lionheart.

Isaac, who is now severely weakened, and Rebecca find Gurth, Cedric's loyal swineherd and serf who brings them to the feast where they are helped in by Ivanhoe. Rebecca is brought up to the head table by one of the king's guard, Sir Brian de Bois Guilbert.

Sir Brian attempts to kiss Rebecca, but she rejects him and runs to her father's protection. Isaac is thrown to the ground, but he and Rebecca are defended by Ivanhoe.

Ivanhoe overhears a conversation between Sir Brian and Front de Beouf, another knight in Lackland's service. Sir Brian still hopes to get Rebecca while de Beouf hopes to get Isaac's fortune.

Ivanhoe rushes to Isaac and Rebecca's to warn them. The three leave before Sir Brian and de Beouf find them. Meanwhile, Cedric and Lady Rowena are kidnapped by different knights in the service of Lackland.

Ivanhoe, Isaac, and Rebecca attempt to leave the castle gates but are blocked by Gurth. Only after revealing his identity does Gurth open the gate. He leads Isaac and Rebecca away while Ivanhoe stays back to fight off Sir Brian and de Beouf.

Ivanhoe is wounded during the fight and cannot stop Lackland's knights from pursuing the other two and leaving with Cedric and Lady Rowena. Gurth has led Isaac and Rebecca to the woods where he believes they will be safe. Cedric and Lady Rowena are taken to Torquilstone Castle as prisoners of Lackland.

A wounded Ivanhoe finds Isaac and Rebecca before passing out due to his injuries. Sir Brian and Front de Beouf leave Torquilstone Castle to search for Isaac and Rebecca, eventually spotting them retrieving water at a small stream and taking them captive back to Torquilstone.

Ivanhoe awakens to find himself in the presence of King Richard the Lionheart, who he knows from their time together in Palestine during the Crusade. Ivanhoe fills in Richard on Lackland's attempt on the throne. Robin Hood, an ally of King Richard's who is travelling with him, calls up his men to arms. After swearing loyalty to the King, the small force leaves for Torquilstone Castle with Richard, Ivanhoe, and Robin Hood at their head.

At the castle Isaac is tortured while Front de Beouf attempts to extort him for all his worth. Sir Brian enters Rebecca's cell and tries to take advantage of her though she fights back. She is able to escape to the top of the castle walls and threatens to jump if Sir Brian comes any closer. The two then notice Richard's force approaching the castle. Sir Brian leaves her to go prepare for the attack. Front de Beouf and the group torturing Isaac also hear the approaching army and leaves to prepare.

The battle commences with the defenders charging Richard's forces outside of the gates while another segment of Richard's attacking force attempts to scale the castle walls with ladders. Rebecca, Cedric, Isaac, and Lady Rowena all watch from the castle.

The battle is bloody with heavy casualties on both sides. Robin Hood kills Front de Beouf in single combat at the castle gates during the battle. Eventually Richard's force is able to gain access to castle, forcing Lackland and some of his retinue to flee. Sir Brian, who has survived the battle, flees with Rebecca.

Ivanhoe finds Lady Rowena and Cedric and his embraced by his father, giving his approval to Lady Rowena and Ivanhoe's marriage. Ivanhoe introduces Cedric and Lady Rowena to the King before searching for Rebecca.

He first finds Isaac who tells him of Rebecca's capture. Ivanhoe gets the entire force to join him in pursuing Sir Brian and Rebecca. The two are spotted by Gurth who follows them.

Sir Brian takes Rebecca to the Castle of the Knights Templar and accuses her of being a witch, an accusation that is punishable by death. Rebecca pleads her innocence to the captors while Gurth scales the wall into the castle.

After a sham trial Rebecca is found guilty and sentenced to burn at the stake. She can only be freed if a knight fights for her honor to the death with the accuser. Gurth reveals himself and promises to bring a knight to Rebecca's defense. Gurth finds the group and tells them of Rebecca's fate. Isaac is devastated but Ivanhoe promises to fight for her honor.

At the day of her execution a call for a champion is held. Isaac arrives at the third call and announces Ivanhoe's acceptance. Since he is not there, they begin to burn the stake, but he arrives and puts the fire out.

Ivanhoe and Sir Brian duel with Ivanhoe gaining the advantage and kills Sir Brian. King Richard knights Ivanhoe for his service.

Ivanhoe, Rebecca, Isaac, Cedric, and Lady Rowena all meet after the fight. Rebecca places Ivanhoe's hand into Lady Rowena's before she and her father say goodbye to Ivanhoe.