Rudolph Rassendyl's quiet life is interrupted by his unexpected and personal involvement in the affairs of Ruritania, whilst travelling through the town of Zenda, finding himself engaged in plans to rescue the imprisoned king....

A droll young English gentleman with a fascination for feudal Ruritania and a marked physical resemblance to its king impersonates the king to help defeat a plot against him, then falls in love with the kings betrothed....