Customer Reviews:
Swash-buckling stuff!.......2008-03-15
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.
One of the poorest adaptations of anything I've seen in a long time........2008-03-13
I couldn't watch it beyond the first episode. Amelia Warner was beautiful, but the performance was really lacklustre. As soon as she opened her mouth the illusion of Lorna Doone, romantic heroine, dissipated. Richard Coyle was an oafish John Ridd who did little but grin sheepishly and make awkward advances toward Lorna, who seemed pretty unimpressed, though we were plainly meant to detect chemistry between the two. The accents were mangled and confused, as though the actors weren't sure whether they were supposed to be Welsh, Cornish or 17th Century King's English. Poor Aidan Gillen struggled so much with his accent that he sounded strained and effeminate rather than menacing. I found myself wishing they'd all get shot, especially the soulless and irritating John Ridd, or at the very least that Lorna would ditch both Ridd and Carver and find somebody new.
Ok, but not great........2008-02-23
I have never read the book so I can't comment on how closly it follows it, instead, I watched the movie for itself. On the plus side, most of the actors were extremely good looking. The scenery was lovely, and there is a story line. However, I found the acting itself a bit wooden in some places, particularly the two leading characters. It does seem to be a very low budget film.
Great.......2007-10-09
I watched this one or two times as my parents taped it off the TV..and I really love it. I think all the actors are brilliant in their roles, the scenery, the music, it really convinces you you're in another century and that's only down to great acting, which the British are great at.
It has none of those modern day values that try and reaches a twenty first century audience..I have never read the book but I'd assume it was close to the book. A really good period drama that in a way, is really realistic.
Great BBC Production.......2007-06-05
This Production is fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy productons that have a backbone story line and can get involved in the story.
The DVD quality is very good. You will not be disappointed with this well made BBC Production.
Amazon.co.uk Review
The BBC dished up Lorna Doone as its classic costume drama for Christmas 2000 and served its source material well. R. D. Blackmore's novel of dangerous times and inter-clan warfare on Exmoor during the time of the Monmouth Rebellion is highly romantic. At its centre is the ongoing war between John Ridd (Richard Coyle), the yeoman with a noble heart, and Carver Doone, the reckless young leader of the outlawed family who murdered Ridd's father. Aside from their familial enmity, they are also rival suitors for the hand of the eponymous heroine (a spirited performance from Amelia Warner). The production avoids overkill on the swashbuckling front: the battle scenes are grim and bloody; Lorna herself is cocooned by her family but the Doone clan lives in a bleak, rough encampment with few comforts. And in Aidan Gillan's Carver, we have an anti-hero of extraordinary charisma, driven and ultimately destroyed by his single-minded determination to make Lorna his wife or see her dead. A stirring evening's viewing which offers the good old-fashioned satisfaction of just desserts all round. --Piers Ford
Customer Reviews:
Swashbuckling Stuff!.......2004-10-15
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 story of the power of hatred, the strength of love and the journey one family takes to see justice done. The entire cast was perfect, ( I must say, Richard Coyle has a very sexy smile!) and Amelia Warner is Lorna to a T. Here you have swashbuckling excitement, mystery, romance, wit, humour and tragedy teamed with a rugged, misty landscape and a gorgeous soundtrack. BUY IT EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT- You'll love it.
Enjoyable adaptation.......2004-05-03
Although it has its flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation of R.D. Blackmore's classic novel. The book suffers from being overwritten; here, the intriguing romance which is the heart of "Lorna Doone" is the real focus of the story.
John Ridd falls for the beautiful and mysterious Lorna Doone - the problem being, well - she's a Doone. The Doones are scoundrels, not to mention their being the family responsible for the death of John's father. And they are not likely to be very pleased that a humble country farmer is in love with their aristocratic daughter...
Richard Coyle (best-known as Jeff in the BBC2 series "Coupling" - he is very different here!) makes for an appealing John Ridd and Amelia Warner captures the innocence and uncertainty of Lorna. The plot twists in Blackmore's novel are in fact more effective in this television version, and not having read the book before watching this and so not knowing what was going to happen, I was captivated by the action at the end.
There are a few problems - Martin Clunes (who gets top billing) doesn't really seem to be into his role, and there is a bit of sloppiness, for example, the villain Carver's age isn't very consistent (e.g. compared with Ridd's at crucial points).
Nevertheless, this is enjoyable stuff, not to be taken too seriously as classic drama. It's a good shot at adapting the novel.
Beautiful, romantic and wonderfully haunting music........2001-03-25
I thought this was by far the best video I have seen in a long while. I saw part of it at Christmas and was anxious to see the whole thing. Amelia Warner was perfect as Lorna ( she looked so beautiful at the scene when she attended mass in that red dress!) And Richard Coyle was a fantastic John. Anthony Calf as Tom was well acted & gorgeous. The whole cast are brilliant, their accents were perfect and made the film spellbinding. This is an absoulute MUST for anyone who enjoys period drama and romantic stories. This is truly the love story to beat all others.
Destined to be a classic!!.......2001-03-23
Finding it hard to sleep last saturday night,I decided to see a little television.I was instantly grabbed by this movie(Lorna Doone).Im a young man in my twenties,and I dont usually find myself in aw of romantic pictures,however this movie is much different.I was mesmerized by the beautiful scenery.I felt terrible I hadnt seen it from the start.Amelia Warner and Richard Coyle did a wonderful job portraying true young love. Heroes and villians,twists and turns this movie has it all.Whatching this film reminds me of all the crazy emotions you go through when your young and in love...wait a minute...Im not that old....ENJOY!!!!!
A beautiful period piece--Richard Coyle is a star!.......2001-03-18
I scenery was breathtaking and the story was, as always, beautiful and heart-stirring. All of the actors did a fine job; however, I especially enjoyed Richard Coyle's phenomenal performance. Bravo!
Customer Reviews:
Dull and dreary.......2008-02-16
An exciting historical tale has been turned into something as exciting as watching paint dry. The story plods, no sense of history and you long for Carver to kill wretched John Ridd just to spice things up.The lead actor Clive Owen [John Ridd] just stares expressionless at the camera, screen sparkles on the very rare occasions when Sean Bean as Carver Doone appears. Cannot recommend this film - hope director retired after it and did not inflict their work ever again on the public.
Not much of Blackmore, but nevertheless..........2007-02-16
I was lucky enough to buy a used VHS copy of this film some years ago, and am truly stunned by the current price of the DVD! This may seem affordable to fans of Sean Bean and Clive Owen who want to complete their collections; however, whoever loves the film in its own right, will think twice before spending such an amount of money on it.
For, no, it is not, by any means, a "pretty faithful adaptation of Blackmore's story". It's a low budget production. They cropped the story in every way they were able to -- dropping such essential characters as Uncle Reuben, Little Ruth, The Counsellor, Jeremy Stickles, Gwenny, and John's bookish sister Lizzie. Worst of all, and quite unforgivable, they decided to kill off poor Tom Faggus halfway through the movie -- Tom Faggus, who, in the book, gets his royal pardon, marries Annie, fathers a son, causes John's excursion to the battle of Sedgemoor, and lives on through the happy ending. There's no first attack on the Doone valley, no Monmouth Rebellion (of course), no Bloody Assizes, not even John's trip to London that inspired Franz Kafka's most celebrated story. And as for the ending, they changed Lorna's deaf uncle into an aunt, and gave the whole thing a twist that made it look like the novel had been written by Barbara Cartland!
Why then, will you ask, have I watched this thing so often as to use up my copy -- the more so, since I own the 2000 version, too (which is, if far from perfect, at least a bit more true to the book)? It's because the moment you forget to think about all the injustice done to Blackmore's novel, that film is quite delightful. Without all the details that make the novel's charm, it boils down to an olden times rural Romeo-and-Juliet plot, but they made a dense, convincing and sometimes very moving story out of the bits they chose to retain. Above all, the two main protagonists may look rather too old for the characters they play, but there is a lot of palpable chemistry going on between them...
(Whereas in the 2000 version, there is next to none! Note, please, that this is undoubtedly not Richard Coyle's fault. He's casting off sparkles in every direction, which makes it all the more frustrating that there is never the slightest sign of warmth from Amelia Walker, to show that she has caught fire.)
... and the scene where they confront old Sir Ensor, is splendidly done! And of course, Sean Bean's Carver Doone is exiting, stunning, overwhelming, even for people like me, who aren't into fandom of any kind. Really, that film is worth a look and a watch...
... just not, forgive me, at the current price.
An early treat from Clive Owen and Sean Bean.......2005-03-01
Before I bought this DVD, I had no real familiarity with Sean Bean, and had never heard of Clive Owen. Now both are favorite actors of mine.
This is a pretty faithful adaptation of Blackmore story. Its bleak outdoor settings are nothing less than perfect for the story, the costumes and interiors are well-researched, and the whole atmosphere is wonderfully and darkly romantic.
Clive Owen as John Ridd brings a low-key intensity to the role of the stubborn, but emotionally vulnerable 'hero,' while the flamboyant 'villain,' Carver Doone, played by the amazing Sean Bean, manages to be both terrifying and sympathetic at the same time. Carver Doone's backstory is only hinted at, but mitigates against his wicked jealousy and makes him totally believable as a human being.
The only thing which lets this movie down a bit is the rather flat portrayal of Lorna herself, played by Polly Walker. I feel she's slightly too 'Danielle Steele' an actress for this role, and does not really seem comfortable in a period piece. However, she is not really bad in the role either, and she is a very tiny flaw in an otherwise mesmerising film.
If you like a scenically impressive costume drama, with charismatic, but realistically flawed characters, lots of action and a strong plot, you'll love Lorna Doone. I watch this film often, and still enjoy it every time.
He's right - it's not "Rob Roy".......2004-03-14
The reviewer from Pakistan tells us that this film is not "Rob Roy". Well, thats the only thing he got right. It is an excellent adaptation of Lorna Doone with the always excellent Sean Bean!
Truly Awful.......2000-03-21
My sensible wife gave up half way through and went to bed. I stayed till the end, but only because I felt I had to justify borrowing the thing in the first place. 'Rob Roy' this is not.
UK DVD:
- Lynda La Plante - Trial And Retribution [1997]
- Macbeth [1971]
- Malcolm X [1992]
- Midnight Express [1978]
- Monster's Ball [2002]
- Mrs Brown [1997]
- My House In Umbria [2003]
- My So Called Life
- Nip/Tuck - Series 4
- Numb3rs Season 2
UK DVD List
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