High Tor (1956): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1956, High Tor is a fantasy and music film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, running about 90 minutes.

What it’s about. High Tor is a 1936 play by Maxwell Anderson. Twenty years after the original production, Anderson adapted it into a television musical with Arthur Schwartz. Anderson first considered a musical adaptation of High Tor for television in 1949. He and John Monks Jr. adapted the play as a made-for-television musical fantasy in 1955, with music by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Anderson. High Tor was filmed in November 1955 by Desilu Productions at the RKO-Pathé Studio and broadcast March 10, 1956 on the CBS television network, as a 90-minute episode of the series Ford Star Jubilee. Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Nancy Olson, Hans Conreid, and Keenan Wynn starred in the film, produced by Arthur Schwartz, and directed by James Neilson.

Who’s in it. High Tor stars Bing Crosby as Van Van Dorn, Julie Andrews as Lise, Nancy Olson as Judith and Everett Sloane as DeWitt, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, High Tor has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch High Tor page.

If you liked it. Fans of High Tor tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.