Lorna
Doone
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Rated: TVPG
reviewed by
Charity Bishop
Set against the lavish and lonely expanse of the moors,
this epic of "star-crossed lovers, unbridled greed,
dark secrets, and ruthless ambitions" is a stirring
and intensely romantic story for both classes... those
who enjoy the action and intensity of war and revenge,
and lovers of period drama with wholesome messages and
uplifting truths. The story is set in a time of
uncertainty in England when the King lies on his
deathbed and the future of the country is left in the
hands of divided politicians. Some believe the rightful
heir -- a Catholic
--
should resume the throne while others fight for the
king's illegitimate son, a confirmed Protestant.
This political struggle cannot quite reach into Exmoor where Jack Ridd and
his family abide. Peaceful farmers, they endure the wrath of the nearby
colony of notorious outlanders and lawbreakers the Doones. Lead by Sir Ensor
(Peter Vaughan), the clan has been ejected from their Scottish homelands and
forced to ravish and plunder the villages on the moor to survive. One day in
a violent attack in the village, Jack Ridd is murdered and his son John
swears vengeance on his father's killers. Mrs. Ridd (Barbara Flynn) takes
the matter to Sir Ensor, but is shown no mercy. John, who must now provide
for his family in his father's place, allows his temper to cool, and in the
meanwhile makes the acquaintance of a mysterious maiden in the valley,
Lorna. Bidding him to never again appear if he values his life, it is seven
years before his return. The Ridds are happy and well settled, but still
retain a violent hatred for the Doones, especially John's youngest sister
Lizzie. During the celebration of John's birthday, tragedy appears in the
form of his Uncle Rueben, flogged and badly beaten by the Doones, who robbed
him of his purse and chased his pony across the moor. Rueben's daughter
Ruth, a quiet but beautiful redhead with the capabilities of a nurse with a
quiet love for her cousin John (Richard Coyle), attends to her father's
wounds, and they take the matter to the judiciary, who refuses to act.
Determined to take the matter into his own hands, John sets out for the
valley... and again encounters the beautiful Lorna (Amelia Warner).
Strangely drawn to this beautiful dark-haired maiden, John is
horrified to learn she's Sir Ensor's granddaughter, and heir to the Doone
lands. Love blossoms even beneath the wings of hatred and he cannot prevent
the inevitable. As their friendship grows and romance blossoms, so does the
wrath and hatred between their families. Ensor has promised Lorna in
marriage to her cousin Carver (Aidan Gillen), a cruel and rebellious young
man. He seeks to possess her above all. Turbulent times lay ahead for the
young lovers, as they chance fate, and defy all that they know. What will
emerge from the nest of passions and desires, unbridled corruption and pure
fate, is a story which has transcended through ages, a story of faith,
courage, and determination. Paced on the violent backdrop of war and graced
with a beautifully stirring soundtrack,
Lorna Doone is indeed an epic... of passion, of destiny, and of
romance.
This brilliant adaptation is bewitching and haunting from the
first ominous introduction to the last closing sequence. The cast is an
excellent collection of old faces and new, as well as with a score of
brilliant and charismatic young British performers including
eighteen-year-old Amelia Warner in the lead. The music above all is to be
prized; I only wish it could be readily purchased. The haunting backdrop of
the moors, blended with fine cinematography and first-rate acting, weave
together a spellbinding tale of the power of love over hatred. While I would
encourage everyone to see this excellent A&E production, there are a few
minor concerns worth noting. A few scattered profanities (including one
muffled GD) are lost in the sweeping grandeur of the story. The romance is
shown with a few chaste kisses and John condemns a wayward cousin who
chooses to romance Annie with strong words indicating his sister is not to
be toyed with. The man's intentions, however, are honorable and they are
shortly thereafter married. Even when tempted by charming Ruth, John remains
faithful to his Lorna despite their present separation.
Violence is prevalent while not overly gruesome or offensive and
most is shown in rapid shots or out of the camera range. A dozen people are
shot in the heat of battle with very little blood, and both hand and stick
fighting appear with violent blows. Carver shoots someone at close range and
threatens Lorna more than once at gunpoint. One scene shows a battlefield
strewn with bodies and we see a bloodied stump briefly as John crawls his
way through the carnage. A character commits suicide by allowing himself to
drown in a bog and a beheading is implied but never seen. Morals are highly
praised in this film and even the Christian undertow is apparent. Lorna
stops John from killing Carver when he violently attacks the Ridd farm by
telling him murder is wrong and if he did it he would be no better than his
enemies. Her compassion and earnestly even to the dying Sir Ensor are
praiseworthy. When an unexpected turn leaves her in a position worthy of
greed she's happy in the simplest sense. John has a strict code of moral
behavior, something he holds those around him to. In the final moments of
the film, he extends his hand willing to help his sworn enemy. The bad guys
are bad, and the good guys are good.
A beautiful story and one worthy of your attentions and time.
Other romances rely on the sexuality of the leads to draw people in with
torrid love stories and forbidden passions. War epics usually use extreme
violence to drive the point home. Lorna Doone is a refreshing change
from everyday fare and offers you a breathtaking glance into a bygone era to
boot. An ideal treat for those who love romance, adventure, and a hint of
mystery.
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