The Prince and the Pauper

Set in 16th-century England, this adventure drama follows Tom Canty, a poor boy who is a lookalike of Prince Edward, the son of King Henry VIII. The two decide to swap clothes as a prank, but they are separated during the process. While Tom is mistaken for the royal heir in the palace, Edward is cast out and forced to experience the hardships of poverty. Along the way, the prince meets Miles Hendon, a disgraced noble who helps him navigate the dangers of the streets. As the death of the king brings the coronation of a new monarch closer, the two boys struggle to return to their rightful places in society.

The film was directed by Richard Fleischer and stands as the 19th of 23 films he directed, following Mandingo and preceding Ashanti. The production was a joint effort between the United Kingdom and the United States, produced by International Film Productions. Mark Lester plays the dual roles of the prince and the pauper, appearing alongside Oliver Reed, Charlton Heston, David Hemmings, Ernest Borgnine, and George C. Scott. Made with a budget of 8 million USD, the movie has received moderate reception from viewers, holding a 6.3 rating on IMDb from 2,500 votes and a 6.1 rating on TMDB based on 61 votes.