The Scarlet Tunic

The Scarlet Tunic strongest point is the quality of the photography particularly in the use of colour and light. The spectacular scenery of the Wessex and Dorset coast provides natural beauty but other scenes using light in a unique way are key to the film's overall effect. The setting in the army camp comes to life completely through the use of superb light and shadows. Another example is the dramatic use of the scarlet tunic itself. The scene with the bright red garment lying on the beach creates a vivid and heart rendering moment. The story is one of a tragic romance, which is made even stronger by the quality of the visuals. Some of the acting is excellent with the two lead characters strong. My only negative feeling about this film was some of the characters are over acted and tend to distract from the overall quality of the film with the most objectionable being the Army captain.

I was delighted to find this scarce film on DVD recently. Based on a very short story by Thomas Hardy called The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion, director/writer Stuart St. Paul and his fellow scribes Colin Clements and Mark Jenkins have done an excellent job of fleshing out a very spare tale. On the direction front St. Paul would appear to be out of his comfort zone, his filmography showing a background in stunts and action but period romance and action are blended seamlessly here and he has gathered together a wonderfully eclectic and atypical cast. French actor Jean Marc Barr plays the titular hussar and Emma Fielding his beloved. Both are excellent, Barr managing to be both macho and sensitive and Fielding passionate and intelligent in their respective lead roles. A plethora of other named actors people the film with Simon Callow as a scenery chewing Captain with latent homosexual designs on Barr's Matthaus, Jack Shepherd as Fielding's overprotective and Querulous father, John Sessions as a would be suitor and Lynda Bellingham as a warm hearted family retainer (Even Gareth Hale, one half of comedy duo Hale and Pace, pops up as a comic servant!). All do good work but Thomas Lockyer as the lead character's brother and Laura Aikman as the young daughter of Bellingham's character, do particularly fine work, both delivering warm and poignant performances that stay with you after the film. As a Thomas Hardy fan, I would thoroughly recommend this as a welcome addition to Hardy adaptations on screen.

Even actors as talented as Emma Fielding and Simon Callow could not save this one. These actors will put this one behind them and go on to greater accomplishments. I am impressed that they chose art over commercialism in this effort, and most especially with their faith in the material. But it was clear that the direction and editing left a great deal to be desired. My sense is that the best part of this effort was probably left on the cutting-room floor. One disappointing film does not break a career.

A beautiful film that deserves to be seen more often, and it does deserve a higher rating than the 5.3 it has as of now(lack of votes perhaps?). There are a couple of moments of rushed editing and Simon Callow is in over-acting scenery-chewing mode that can feel at odds with the tone of the rest of the film. The Wessex/Dorset scenery is simply exquisite though and matches Hardy's vivid writing almost exactly, and the photography is not just lovely to look at but allows us to take in the scenery and atmosphere without feeling stolid TV movie quality. The period detail is evocatively rendered- not too clean and not too bleak either- with good make-up and no obviously anachronistic-looking hair-styles, and the lighting is careful not to be too bright or too murky. The simple tranquillity of the music score also appeals, and when the drama should resonate it does wisely take a back-seat, as do the very literate and thoughtfully adapted script that is in keeping with Hardy's prose and the simple but very charming and touchingly melancholic story. The characters don't feel like caricatures and you do genuinely believe in the two protagonists' love for one another. Jean-Marc Barr is a charming and handsome Matthaus, and Emma Fielding is English-Rose-personified. In fact the acting is very well done, though with some reservations on Callow's part. Much of the direction is slick and sympathetic too. So all in all, a very good and beautiful film that doesn't disgrace Hardy or the story in the slightest. It's not 100% perfect, but it is much better than the rating makes it out to be. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I think this is a great example of why the British are so good at romances. A powerful story, great acting and beautifully shot in the English countryside - if you want to see some of Britain's best scenery then buy this film. But it's much more than that Jean Marc-Barr smoulders as the soldier who falls in love with the betrothed English rose (Emma Fielding) and their forbidden love forms the basis of this enjoyable but melancholy story. A strong cast and a good script make this a thoroughly enjoyable movie, particularly when you consider it was made on a budget that many other movies spend on catering. Forget the snide comments, this is a wholesome family film, which you can watch over and over again - it's got everything. One of the best undiscovered British romances around. Strongly recommended.