Flammen der Leidenschaft - Eine wahre Geschichte

One can't help but be a little weary of films that show the the plight of slavery or civil rights through a pair of white eyes. Yet here we have another of the famous white man/white woman to the rescue tales, with Jane Seymour's portrayal of British actress-abolitionist Fanny Kemble. Although watching Seymour's Kemble preach social equality while sauntering through slave quarters in white gloves with a parasol, strikes me as one of the more pharisaical images of late, at least performances from Eugene Byrd and "Oz's" Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, help free this film from the shackles of one dimensional self congratulation.

I normally don't watch made for TV movies, but this one happened to be just coming on as I walked by the TV. I sat down for a few minutes to see what it was about, and the next thing I knew it was two hours later! Jane Seymour did a fabulous job portraying Fanny Kemble, whom I had unfortunately never heard of before this movie. What a truly amazing, brave woman she was. She is an absolute inspiration. I found Jane Seymour's performance very moving and convincing. Although some of the dialogue was a bit too contrived, on the whole it was a very good movie.

I did not know who Kemble was before watching this, though I am now very impressed with her. This is the true story of the British woman who came to the US, and started the process of forced labor being abolished. The plot is interesting and well-told throughout. Acting is great, and Jane Seymour is completely beyond reproach as the courageous Fanny, who would fight for her convictions. Keith, one of the sons of the masterful John Carradine, is the male lead, and also does marvelously. The dialog is good, with numerous utterly golden lines. This is well-paced, and never loses your attention. The historical accuracy goes far, but there are a couple of places where they seem to have forgotten what time period it was, for a brief time. Costumes and sets are spot-on, and the production values leave nothing to be desired. All of the humor is fitting and doesn't at any point try too hard. The likening of a marriage during the time period this takes place to a lesser form of slavery is clever and holds up. There is disturbing content in this. I recommend this to any fan of authentic films. 7/10

This is the courageous true story of an English actress who marries an American southerner who owns slaves. He promises her freedom before marriage but after marriage she becomes just another slave, although with many more privileges. The movie has so many improbable and therefore distracting events, that I found myself feeling that the characters were entirely fictional.For instance-early on, the groom (this is pre-civil war) says that he "called" someone last week and got some information. Was Alexander Graham Bell the inventor of the telephone, or was it some mysterious southerner?

In this real life story, Jane Seymour stars as Fanny Kemble, an English actress who meets and falls in love with a Southern plantation owner.

Despite her friends' warning about the type of man who would own human beings, she convinces herself that love conquers all and marries him.

Unfortunately, Fanny's friends' concerns are all too true. The spunk and vigor that her husband had liked so much about her when they courted has now - in his eyes - turned to insolence and disobedience. He demands that she uphold her vow to obey him. This is not an easy thing to do once Fanny is taken to the plantation in Georgia. When she sees the treatment of the slaves, she vows to do everything she can to help - no matter the cost.

Don't listen to other user's comments that this is just another story of the white person saving the black person. To say so discounts what Ms Kemble did with her life. And what Fanny Kemble did took a lot of courage - not just in defying her husband, but in defying the Southern way of life. Not an easy task to do back then (or now!).

This film is definitely in the "Jane Seymour style" so if you've enjoyed her in "Somewhere In Time" or "Dr Quinn", you'll enjoy this as well.