A Disappointing Continuation

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Sorry folks, but I must concur with "httpmom" from SF above - - this was pretty weak by BBC standards and I've seen very, very many BBC productions. The acting wasn't terrible, but it wasn't up to BBC standards (with the exception of the fabulous Michael Kitchen, who made Judge Jefferys totally believable like he does with every role he undertakes!) The accents were all over the map - - literally. Some of the actors sounded American, others sounded English, some Welsh, Irish, etc. It had an almost Hollywood-shallow ("Hollyschlock") feeling to it. The actors were all beautiful to be sure but the dialogue didn't ring true (sounded more like 19th century dialogue than 17th century, but maybe that's what the book's like?). Everyone had perfect teeth and skin and the sister who was wearing glasses - - HELLO?? This was supposed to have taken place in 1675. It wasn't until 1730 that a London optician named Edward Scarlett devised the rigid sidepieces that rest atop the ears and turned the spectacles that had been used for the previous 500 years into eyeglasses. Before that, people used spectacles that had to be held in place or mounted on a holding device to be held up to the face. So why was the older sister wearing regular glasses? Oh, maybe she stopped at LensCrafters after getting her blonde highlights put in at Super Cuts. (Looks like somebody didn't do their research on this one.) At least they weren't all cosmetically made up to the hilt. Anyway, I bought the Romance Collections I and II and this is the stinker of the first collection, in my opinion. Watching this version of Lorna Doone is not a waste of time but the previous gushing reviews about it have me puzzled.

This particular version of Lorna Doone begins on a grand and exciting historical scale and quickly spirals downward into an average star crossed lovers tale in which a pretty boy...who can't speak or act...for reasons not be known in the script... falls in love with a pretty girl...who can't speak or act. They meet by accident and then in secret without any of the intensity that such a love would usually entail. They smile at each other a lot and run around a spectacular Whales country side while epic music plays in the background. There are a few good battle scenes...some rather beautiful but astonishing costuming...some off the wall wonderful but inaccurate hair styles for men...think Samurai warrior meets Middle Earth...some great acting from a few minor characters and Peter Vaughan...who unfortunately...for the viewer...but happily for him...dies about half way into the story. This movie won awards for photography and visual effects which is the reason I wanted to see it but the script lacked grit and believability. Not up to the usual BBC standards...did they collaborate with Touchstone or something?

Wonderful romantic epic tale. Lorna Doone was written by Blackwell in 1869 and the story takes place in the mid-late 1600s. This 2000 version of Lorna Doone is more true to the novel and very enjoyable. Per Blackmore's novel Lorna Doone was a dark haired, dark eyed raven beauty. I was glad to see the actress chosen to play Lorna Doone reflects that image. The same goes for the actor chosen to play John Ridd. A strapping blonde cutie. This film flows nicely from beginning to end. How John Ridd's father crosses paths with the evil Doones and meets his fate. How John meets Lorna and she tell him her story. The hold the Doones have on Lorna. How John braves the evil Doones just to be with Lorna. How John and Lorna then struggle to be together when so many wish them apart. The costumes are lavish as well as the scenery. A must see.

This is a beautiful story, intricately woven, and well worth watching. Of all the versions I have seen, this is by far the best one. The actors have a real chemistry, and the authenticity of the movie make it that much better. This is a movie worth watching several times (a year?). A & E has done it again.