Posted on 01/24/2021 2:40:27 AM PST by C19fan
Disclaimer: I have not read the Daphne du Maurier novel this is based on.
My first encounter with the enchanting Rachel Weisz was playing at the age of 29 the spunky, and intelligent Miss Evelyn Carnahan from the 1999 movie “The Mummy”. At the age of 47, when she starred in this adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier novel, she is still a stunning and alluring woman. One can easily see a younger man falling for her.
What is very interesting about this adaptation is how earthy it is. Phillip Ambrose definitely does not have the manners of a member of the gentry one would expect. You see him use his sleeve to wipe his mouth and he very much enjoys getting dirty working on the estate. He is more often than naught appears he needs to shave. At the beginning of the movie as he returns from school he expresses his utter dislike of urbane culture. Until Rachel arrives the manor house is one big bachelor pad. There is a Victorian Christmas scene, a big bonus for me, and that is even rather bawdy as Phillip and Rachel host all the locals and their families in a converted barn house. Phillip’s forlorn love interest Miss Louise Kendall played by Holiday Granger wears very practical clothing too.
One of the highlights of this adaptation is the stunning scenery and cinematography. Various locations in England were used especially the South Devon coast. Some shooting was done on location in Florence.
Game of Thrones fans would recognize Iain Glen as family friend Mr. Kendall.
The video I linked to is a fan made music video using footage from the file.
On my scale of 1 to 5 bonnets, I would give this 4 bonnets.
Always love the period dramas such as the ones on PBS Masterpiece. Enjoy the Victorian English, such precision with word selection.
Read the book. It was a haunting story.
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