Lorna Doone (2000) (TV)

Director:

Mike Barker

Writers:

R.D. Blackmore (novel)
Adrian Hodges (writer)

Release Date:

11 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Passion,romance and epic adventure in a classic tale of rivalry and revenge

Plot:

The year is 1675. England is threatened by religious and political rivalries. King Charles II's Catholic brother...

Plot Keywords:

Outlaw | Revenge | Star Crossed Lovers | 1670s | 17th Century

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Martin Clunes	...	Jeremy Stickles
Richard Coyle	...	John Ridd
Aidan Gillen	...	Carver Doone
Amelia Warner	...	Lorna Doone
Anthony Calf	...	Tom Faggus
Barbara Flynn	...	Sarah Ridd
Martin Jarvis	...	Baron de Whichehalse
Michael Kitchen	...	Judge Jeffreys
Anton Lesser	...	Counsellor Doone
Jack Shepherd	...	Reuben Huckaback
Jesse Spencer	...	Marwood de Whichehalse
Peter Vaughan	...	Sir Ensor Doone
Neil Finnighan	...	Jack Ridd (as Neil Finnigan)
Jack Baverstock	...	Young John Ridd
Trevor Cooper	...	John Fry

Runtime:

180 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Brecon Beacons, Powys, Wales, UK

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

Don Powell plays a character called "Dapple Rose" - Dapple Rose was a track on the "Play It Loud" Album by rock group Slade, of which Don is the drummer.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Lorna has to leave the Ridd farm after her parentage is discovered, and she is saying goodbye to John, there is a strand of her hair that differs in position from close-up to long shot. In the close ups, it is tucked behind her ear; in the long shot, it is hanging loose at the side of her face.

Quotes:

Judge Jeffreys: Well, the King is well pleased with you. All charges have been dropped. We're still going to hang you of course, but I'll spare the drawing and quartering.
[stunned silence]
Judge Jeffreys: That was a joke.

Soundtrack:

Haste to the Wedding

For the leading actress alone, it's worth the viewing .......

I remember reading this novel at school in the UK and was curious to see what it would give on film ! The result was globally very positive. A careful look at the credits will show that it was actually made in one of the Welsh National Parks ... it did look far too mountainous to be Exmoor ! Although he film clocks in at about 2hrs and 22 mins, I didn't find it long at all, indeed another hour or so wouldn't have done any harm. There's never a dull moment ... between the beautiful countryside ..... the suspense of the plot ........the physical beauty of the actors, and especially Lorna Doone herself ..... the beautiful music score .... the whole thing is a very interestingly packaged product.

This is an English film, from the BBC. Why it can only be found in the USA God alone knows. Sold in Other European Countries, with appropriate subtitles, I'm sure it would have larger than reasonable success. People just don't know about it. The picture quality of the DVD is excellent. The DVD does not have subtitles but indicates something called 'closed captions' ( which I took to be subtitles but which obviously aren't ). What they are, I have no idea as they don't appear on my TV !!!!

I would therefore recommend this to all who like good old English novels of the THomas Hardy kind etc etc. Although the DVD cannot be found in Europe, I think it may exist on VHS and is definitely screened from time to time on UK television.