Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2100 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-13
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 150 minutes

Synopsis
In yet another film adaptation of R.D. Blackmore's swashbuckling romance, this excellent and lavish BBC production of 'Lorna Doone' brings the classic tale of revenge and family warfare to life with a sterling cast. Filmed in Wales, the epic family saga begins in 1675, during a turbulent time in history when insurgence against the Catholic King James II, of England and Scotland, runs rampant. The fierce Doone clan has galloped into a farming village, murdering the village's protector, the father of young John Ridd. Determined to avenge his father's death, the teenager goes into the Doone Valley where he meets the independent but vulnerable Lorna Doone - ward of the clan leader, Ensor Doone - who was kidnapped as a child. Meeting again years later, the two fall in love. Ridd is steadfast in nobility of spirit, but Lorna has been unwillingly engaged to her cousin, Ensor's evil, and sadistic heir, Carver. Carver displays a kind of sad obsession for Lorna, but at the end of the day he is as murderous as they come. As their love grows, Ridd finds a new reason to pursue his campaign against the villains that have long dominated his world, and protecting Lorna becomes equal to revenge. Lorna, however, may not be quite what she seems.

Customer Reviews

Classic Tale - Brilliant Cast!
The story of Lorna Doone - of love between a man and woman on opposite sides of warring factions - has been filmed many times but this BBC adaptation has an eye-watering cast of TV and film favourites and stunning production values.

Told in two 75 minute parts, we see John Ridd (the Heath Ledger-ish Richard Coyle) set his sights on the Grand-daughter of the outlaw Doone family, played by Amelia Warner. Set at the end of the reign of Charles the 2nd, this drama has romance, action and plenty of twists and turns and with a PG rating is suitable for the whole family.

Amongst those familiar faces are Jack Shepherd (Golden Compass, Wycliffe),Barbara Flynn (When The Boat Comes In), Michael Kitchen and Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyles War), Martin Clunes (Doc Martin), Peter Vaughan (Porridge, Our Mutual Friend), Martin Jarvis (Morse) and Aiden Gillen gives us a storming villain in the shape of Carver Doone, future leader of the Doone clan and intended husband of Lorna.

A classic tale which is enjoyable again and again this is the version to buy. The costumes, staging, scenery and overall authenticity sweep the viewer into the story for a thrilling 3 hour drama.

Predictable Hollywood-style fare, with good production values
If you enjoy, say, Last of the Mohicans or Braveheart then this may be for you. On the other hand, if you prefer character development, authenticity of acting to the period, and letting the story tell itself then it won't be.

Ultimately, this is a plot-driven movie which (like a previous reviewer noted) we didn't see beyond the first episode. I felt like I'd seen it all before, and this time it had slightly different accents (British, not American) and landscapes (Welsh, not American).

Ignoring the mish-mash of accents (some obviously can try, some can't) and the hammy acting at times (Martin Clunes is guilty), the most objectionable item is that its not clear whats going on and when. All that seems to matter is that the story proceeds from A to B.

On the plus side, the scenery and photography is pretty marvelous and some of the costumes rather nice. (Its not a common time period for dramas.)

Swash-buckling stuff!
I'm an unabashed period drama lover, but the BBC's adaptation of Lorna Doone is by far, my favourite. Honestly, I found the book hard work, but the story is much better encapsulated in this production. John Ridd is the son of a farmer, murdered by the Doones, a hated gang of outlaws on Exmoor. John seeks to avenge his father's murderers but in the process falls for beautiful, innocent Lorna Doone, betrothed to the most evil Carver Doone. It's a sweeping story that encapsulates the power of hatred, the strength of love and the journey one man takes to see justice done.

The entire cast was perfect: Aidan Gillan was fantastic as the cunning and intoxicatingly vicious Carver Doone; Peter Vaughan is everything I imagined Sir Ensor Doone to be- clever and cruel but with an old-fashioned honour and tenderness about him; Jeremy Irons is brilliant as the dourly sardonic Judge Jefferies; Richard Coyle is insurpassable as the hero, John Ridd, and Amelia Warner is Lorna to a T. Barbara Flynn and Martin Clunes also deserve mention for their performances too.

Here you have swashbuckling excitement, mystery, romance, wit, humour and tragedy teamed with a rugged, misty landscape and a gorgeous soundtrack (which, sadly, the BBC never released). BUY IT EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT- it's that good.