Les hasards de l'amour

Years ago a friend introduced me to "A Hazard of Hearts" and I've been hooked ever since. Not only for Marcus Gilbert's beauty, though that doesn't hurt, but because it brings to life an era which seems more fantasy than the reality it once was. Never pass up the privilege of enjoying it's romance and mystique. If ever I'm fortunate enough to discover it again, I will be most pleased.

I love this movie and have done since I first saw it many years ago.

The script is firmly buried in cliché and is in places laughable (She's about to have the vapours - I'll lay odds on it!) but that only adds to its charm.

An impressive early performance from Helena Bonham-Carter as the spunky country-mouse, and a first look at Marcus Gilbert (phoaar) as the brooding-yet-misunderstood-and-hunky Lord Vulcan provides the energy of the movie, but the old guard (Diana Rigg, Stewart Granger, Anna Massey et al) provide the seasoning which makes this a most palatable effort.

I have now seen this about a hundred times and can practically talk along with it, but it never gets old, never gets tired and the DVD will be my next purchase (I *shall* have it!).

Compulsive gambler Sir Giles(Christopher Plummer) has lost his money an estate playing against Lord Wrotham(Edward Fox) . He realises which he only has one thing , his gorgeous daughter Serena(Helena Bonham Carter). Giles stakes his daughter's hand in marriage to villain Lord. Sir Giles lost and he commits suicide himself. Then Lord Justin Vulcan(Marcus Gilbert) is witnessed the deeds and stakes Lord Wrotham to play dices. Justin wins and he now finding himself as owner of the Gilles's mansion and Serena.Lord Justin installs her as a guest at Mandrake palace with maid included(Anna Massey). Trouble is, he can not marry her, until she solves the secret issues contains the mansion.Unfortunately, she becomes a strange into the house and the ambitious Justin's mother , Lady Harriet Vulcan( a despicable Diana Rigg) has less than honorable intentions over Serena.

This is a romance-drama plenty of suspense, intrigue, dark secrets,passion and plot-twists. It's an amusing movie and regency romance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail. Based on the romance novel with similar title by Barbara Catland. In fact belongs to quatrain movies directed by John Hough, with similar scenarios and style; same producer(Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade), musician(Laurie Johnson) and author(Barbara Catland), these are : 'A ghost of Montecarlo'(Lysette Anthony,Sarah Miles, Marcus Gilbert), 'The lady and the highway man'(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) and 'Duel of Hearts'(Alison Doody, Michael York).

The motion picture is professionally directed by John Hough. He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , starting in TV movies(The protectors, Avengers), directing Hammer movies(Twins of evil), mediocre horror films(Howling IV, American Gothic), adventures(Island of treasure) and wholesome Disney family fare(Return and escape to witch mountain).Rating : Acceptable and passable, this television movie will like to romantic stories fans.

I didn't go looking for this it found me, it must have rolled on from something else and I was too lazy to switch it off.

The story is pure Mills and Boon historical romance, even including a bodice ripping scene.

Just think of the amazing cast including Diana Rigg, Christopher Plummer, Edward Fox, Stewart Granger, Anna Massey, Eileen Atkins and a very young Helena Bonham Carter having to say some truly ham-fisted lines.

Wonderful over the top performances. I can imagine the actors having a whale of a time during the filming.

All in all, it was rollicking good fun reminiscent of early film melodramas.

Just lose some brain cells and go along with it and I am sure you too will come out smiling by the end.

I have never been a fan of this genre, nor a fan of romantic novels from the likes of Barbara Cartland, but I have to say I love this movie. A story of love and greed set against the absurdity of the British class system, does true love conquer all? This movie will answer that question for you.

It moves along nicely, it looks wonderful, sets and costumes etc, and of course there are the beautiful people, Helena Bonham Carter and Marcus Gilbert, she is soft and feminine, and so beautiful, he's handsome and charming, the pair are great. As is so often the case, the villains steal the show, Fox and Rigg are an absolute joy to watch, they make it worth a look.

It is romantic, but it has a story, and a bit of action, it is definitely worth seeing, 8/10.