When two young boys are convinced that the other one has the life they’d like to lead, they devise a scheme to trade places. It isn’t long, of course, until they realize how wrong envious assumptions can be. Shown on the hallmark Channel.
Mark Twain’s classic tale of two boys who exchange their lives for a while is brought to the screen again in this made-for-television production. Tom (Robert Timmins) is the son of a poverty-stricken drunkard in 19th century England who dreams of a life of carefree wealth. Prince Edward (Jonathan Timmins), the young son of King Henry VIII (Alan Bates), wishes he could go out and play with other boys his age — and happens to look almost exactly like Tom. One day Tom and the Prince meet by chance, and after being struck by their resemblance, they decide to impersonate each other to get a taste of how the other half lives. They both learn that things often seem sunnier on the other side of the fence — and that going back to their old lives isn’t as simple as they imagined. The supporting cast includes Aidan Quinn as Miles Hendon and Jonathan Hyde as Lord Hertford.
This movie takes you on a grand, childhood, adventure. You are right along in this wonderful story; back in the days of horses, swords, nobles, peasants, thieves, castles, kings, and adventurous children. – Amazon reviewer
Starring Aidan Quinn, Alan Bates, Jonathan Hyde, Jonathan Timmins, Robert Timmins.
The storyline is tight, the acting very good, and it is entertaining. It is recommended for ages twelve and up as there is some mild violence in the film, including a man being stabbed and some people who are burned at the stake, although the viewer only sees the beginning of the fire. – Dove
Note: There is also a [The Prince and the Pauper (1937)](http://amzn.to/1mGLZqL) starring Errol Flynn, Claude Rains, Henry Stephenson, a Disney live-action version of The [Prince and the Pauper (1962)](http://amzn.to/1mGLVat) starring Guy Williams, Laurence Naismith, [Crossed Swords / The Prince and the Pauper (1977)](http://amzn.to/1OQDnUS) starring Raquel Welch, Oliver Reed, Harry Andrews, Ernest Borgnine, [The Prince and the Pauper (BBC TV mini-series 1996)](http://amzn.to/1mGMBwl) six-part miniseries version starring Peter Jeffrey, James Purefoy, Sophia Myles, Keith Michell, Philip Sarson. There was also a BBC serial version in 1975 with Nicholas Lyndhurst as Tom & Edward, with June Brown, Martin Friend, Ronald Lacey. At the time of this writing, it appears that neither BBC version is available on region 1 DVD.