The Dark Angel (1987) (TV)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Peter Hammond

Writers:

Sheridan Le Fanu (novel)
Don MacPherson (writer)

Release Date:

21 March 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Maud Ruthyn, a lovely and sensitive girl, is sent to stay with her Uncle Silas Ruthyn, a charismatic rogue who stands to inherit the family fortune...

Plot Keywords:

Estate | Gothic | Uncle Niece Relationship | Heiress | England

Cast

Peter O'Toole	...	Uncle Silas
Jane Lapotaire	...	Madame de la Rougierre
Beatie Edney	...	Maud Ruthyn
Alan MacNaughton	...	Austin Ruthyn
Tim Woodward	...	Dudley Ruthyn
Guy Rolfe	...	Dr. Bryerly
Barbara Shelley	...	Cousin Monica
Simon Shepherd	...	Captain Oakley
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Baker	...	Old Giles
Charlotte Coleman	...	Milly Ruthyn
John Crocker	...	Rev Clay
Leslie French	...	Lawyer
Marcus Gilbert	...	Lord Carysbroke
Rhoda Lewis	...	Mrs. Rusk
Patti Love	...	Peg
Wolfe Morris	...	Mr. Gimson
Conrad Phillips	...	Dickon Hawkes
Hilary Sesta	...	Lucy Wyatt
Norma Shebbeare	...	Mary Quince
Clare Van Kampen	...	Pianist

Also Known As:

Uncle Silas (USA)

Runtime:

148 min | UK:60 min (3 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Harlaxton Manor, Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Last film of Conrad Phillips.

Quotes:

Dr. Bryerly: His house is not a proper place for you. It is a solitude, its master an outcast, and it has been the repeated scene of all sorts of scandals, and of one great crime.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Onkel Silas" (1977)

One of the darkest and most effective translations from Gothic Novel to the TV screen ever!

I do wish there was not so much confusion about the name of this made-for-TV film. On the index of Peter O'Toole films Uncle Silas is listed before The Dark Angel. I believe the confusion rests in the fact that in Great Britain, the original title of the novel: Uncle Silas, is used, while here in the United State, the title has been changed to: The Dark Angel. That title refers to the mysterious oil portrait of Uncle Silas AS The Dark Angel. A portrait that the heroine, Maude, has been fascinated with for years.

The portrait shows a young and handsome Uncle Silas. When the story opens, Maude has not seen her Uncle since she was a small child.

Others have skillfully outlined the basic story, so I won't cover old ground.

To me, the film succeeds because of the brilliant staging and the great use of the outdoors. Maude is a captive not just inside Silas' mansion, but also in the garden.

The air is heavy with unspoken threat and danger is lurking behind every bush.

The director of The Dark Angel, Peter Hammond, did a masterful job of keeping the story rolling along and all his characters exactly at the correct emotional pitch in every scene.

He also leaves many questions unanswered so you can mull over this marvelous Gothic tale long after you have seen it.

I understand from friends that The Dark Angel is still available for purchase over the internet, but it is NO Longer Available for purchase thorough SunCoast or other retail dealers. If you can find it, watch it. The Dark Angel aka Uncle Silas who is, as we all know, really Peter O'Toole, will terrify and astound you.