Based on the romance novel titled 'Duel of lives', it deals about gorgeous Caroline(Alison Doody) falls in love with wealthy Lord Vane Brecon(Benedict Taylor), who unfortunately is framed of killing. When Caroline attempts to help him clear this accusation, she discovers he's hiding several secrets. Then, she's employed into mysterious mansion. Meanwhile, they're helped by an illusionist named Grimaldi(Adalberto). Trouble is, she can't marry to him, until she solved the murder they say he committed. Naturally, such as all Barbara Catland novels there's a happy end.
This is a TV adaptation of the Barbara Catland romance novel, it displays murder, passion, love, twists and final surprise. Nothing too original, although regency romance will value the attention to detail. Excellent main and secondary casting, as Michael York as mean cousin, Geraldine Chaplin as nasty chambermaid, Virginia Mackenna as Vane Brecon's mother, Richard Johnson as Caroline's father, Jeremy Kemp as Caroline's uncle and Billie Whitelaw as grumpy maid. The beautiful Alison Doody, starred 'Indiana Jones and the last crusade', roller-coaster which made her a successful actress, she played a few more pictures and did some publicity, but in 1994 she retired and returned to Ireland where she marries a magnate, Alison finally came out retirement but she realized how much she missed acting though she never regretted quitting movies to take care of her family and after divorce she has decided to give another chance to her acting career, slowing coming back to performance and filming 'King Salomon's mines'(2004) with Patrick Swayze.
The motion picture is well directed by John Hough. In fact, belong to quatrain movies directed by Hough, such as 'Hazars of hearts(Helena Bonhan Carter, Marcus Gilbert)', 'A ghost in Monte Carlo(Lysette Anthony, Sarah Miles)' and the best, 'Lady and the highwayman(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony)'. All realized by the same producer(Sir Lew Grade), musician(Laurie Johnson: The avengers), author(Barbara Catland) and similar actors. John Hough has an eclectic and overlong filmmaker career, beginning in television series(The avengers, The protectors), making Hammer movies(Twins of evil), classic terror(Legend of hell house), average horror movies(Howling IV, American Gothic), family fare (Return and escape to witch mountain). The flick will like to romantic drama enthusiastic.
