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Reviews
La putain du roi (1990)
Nearly unheard of but worth finding
The storyline of the King's Mistress may seem like your basic Barbara Cartland novel but this is not the case with this movie. It is a bit difficult to watch since it is a foreign film for the most part but the actors do a fine job and if you stay with it the story line becomes a bit surprising. If you can find it, give it a watch. And if you are expecting to lust after Dalton when you see him in that wig, forget it, he's a somewhat pitiful bad-guy in this movie and you'll end up feeling sorry for the character and again aware of what a fine actor Dalton really is. (I had to buy this movie on e-bay so you may have to look for it!)
Jane Eyre (1997)
Almost the best
Admitting that Ciaran Hinds is a favorite of mine since seeing Jane Austen's "Persuasion", he is a very poignant and effective Edward Rochester. This version isn't quite as true to the novel as the Timothy Dalton/Zelah Clark version but still is a very good movie. If you are a Bronte aficionado this will be a favorite with you. If you just want a good old-fashioned English love story you'll like this movie. While Ciaran Hinds 'can' be a beautiful man, he plays Rochester with all his warts. This Jane is very believable and true to the original story as well. Of all the remakes I would rank this my second favorite and that's saying something. The other versions have been so 'Hollywooded' that you lose the essence of the novel. Buy it, rent it, borrow it, but watch it! Enjoy!
Jane Eyre (1983)
The best, the most true to the novel
This is the best version (so far) that you will see and the most true to the Bronte work. Dalton is a little tough to imagine as Rochester who Jane Eyre declared "not handsome". But his acting overcomes this and Zelah Clark, pretty as she is, is also a complete and believable Jane Eyre. This production is a lengthy watch but well worth it. Nearly direct quotes from the book are in the script and if you want the very first true 'romance' in literature, this is the way to see it. I own every copy of this movie and have read and re-read the original. The filming may seem a little dated now but there will never be another like this.
Arthur the King (1983)
Worth Seeing if You are in that Arthurian Mood
Yes this is the movie with the Gawain-Lady Ragnell marriage in it. I hunted high and low for it online and finally found it here. This is not a great adaption of the Arthurian legend but parts of it are certainly worth seeing.
The idea of an American falling through a hole 'ala Alice In Wonderland was completely ridiculous but many of the actors do a fine job in this movie. Add it to your list and spend some time watching it. It's definitely a good romance between Gawain and Lady Ragnell (cursed to look like a boar/pig until kissed by her true love).
McDowell gives a fair performance. Edward Woodward is outstanding as usual.
I was surprised that I actually like the view of Mordred.
Let's face it, it's tough to top Excalibur but eventually someone will!
Arthur the King (1983)
Worth Seeing if You are in that Arthurian Mood
Yes this is the movie with the Gawain-Lady Ragnell marriage in it. I hunted high and low for it online and finally found it here. This is not a great adaption of the Arthurian legend but parts of it are certainly worth seeing.
The idea of an American falling through a hole 'ala Alice In Wonderland was completely ridiculous but many of the actors do a fine job in this movie. Add it to your list and spend some time watching it. It's definitely a good romance between Gawain and Lady Ragnell (cursed to look like a boar/pig until kissed by her true love).
McDowell gives a fair performance. Edward Woodward is outstanding as usual.
I was surprised that I actually like the view of Mordred.
Let's face it, it's tough to top Excalibur but eventually someone will!