King Richard and the Crusaders is a 1954 American historical drama based on Sir Walter Scott's The Talisman[3] made by Warner Bros.

The film stars Rex Harrison, Virginia Mayo, George Sanders and Laurence Harvey, with Robert Douglas, Michael Pate and Paula Raymond.

It was directed by David Butler and produced by Henry Blanke from a screenplay by John Twist based on Sir Walter Scott's 1825 novel The Talisman.

In 1191, King Richard the Lionheart, along with several other European monarchs, is in the Holy Land intent on retaking Jerusalem from the Saracens.

Two nobles in particular, Sir Giles Amaury and Conrad of Montferrat, want to eliminate the English king and attempt to have him assassinated.

Severely wounded and on his deathbed, Richard is brought back to health by a Saracen doctor recruited by one of his loyal knights, Sir Kenneth of Huntingdon.

The film begins with King Richard the Lionheart planning to attack the Saracens and defeat their leader, Sultan Saladin.

At this time, Sir Kenneth of Huntington enters King Richard's camp, blaming Giles and the Castelaine knights for the assassination attempt.

At this time, Kenneth learns that this Saracen is a physician named Emir Ilderim, sent by Saladin to heal King Richard.

After his return, Kenneth is given another chance to prove himself to King Richard by guarding the English flag that flies at the outskirts of the camp.

At this time, we see the Castelaine knights re-enter the story and knock down the English flag that Kenneth is supposed to be guarding.

Ilderim reveals to Kenneth that he is actually Saladin, ruler of the Saracens, and that he has found who is trying to overthrow King Richard, the Castelaine knights.

The box office success of Ivanhoe saw Hollywood develop a number of films based on Walter Scott novels including Rob Roy, Quentin Durward and The Talisman.

[9] David Butler called it "a good picture" and said when on location in Yuma they would film until 10.30 am then stop because it was too hot and start at three o'clock.

Three of the main characters, Sir Kenneth, Lady Edith, and Saladin, at some point mention their disapproval of war and discuss how unnecessary it is.