The Buccaneers

This film was magnificent and nothing short of breath taking. You know when you've got the talents of Mira Sorvino and Alison Elliot (Spitfire Grill) you can't go wrong. Not only were these actresses brilliant and believable, in their wretched marital situations, but I was also able to discover the talents of Cherie Lunghi and Carla Gugino. Gugino, especially shined as the philosophical and impetuous, Nan. Lush settings and beautiful costumes were just the crowing touches to this film that illustrated, wonderfully and very accurately, the foreign social customs of England and the USA in the 1870's. It also showed me how cruel it can sometimes be when the most crucial decisions in life are given to the young and innocent. Splendid entertainment and with all confidence I can truly say that this film is one of closest films to reach to perfection that I have ever seen.

This movie, The Buccaneers, is one of my all-time favorite movies ever! I love everything about it. The lush, beautiful English homes and countryside. The amazing characters and awesome acting. The authenticity of the period (everything from costumes, hairstyles, sets, etc. - wonderful). The score is so beautiful. I could watch this movie over and over and over and love it each and every time.

The plot moves at just the right pace throughout the entire movie. Never too slow or dragging - but not to fast either - allows you to absorb the richness and beauty of the aristocratic homes (oh, they are so amazing!) and all that surrounds the story. I found myself totally drawn in to these characters in a way I rarely have in any other movie.

Do yourself a favor and watch this enchanting movie!

I paid almost 40 buckaroos for this PBS/BBC collaboration...and it was worth every red cent. What a treat...what a wonderful story...what amazing characters...and what a fantastic cast! Mira, Carla, James Frain, and Greg Wise are absolutely AWESOME. I love them all for making this mini such a delight. It's absorbing to the point that I was glued to my TV set till the very end. Mira's character (Conchita) is full of fire and has an amazingly kind heart...and her Brazilian accent is perfect. Carla wins your heart as the head-strong, and independent Nan (Annabelle). Greg Wise is great as the romantic and determined Guy Twaite. But, the best--to me--is James Frain's Julius, Duke of Trevenick. Julius is one of the most complex characters I've seen on a small or large screen in a very long time. He's a young man who feels immense love but is unable to express it adequately...and when frustrated by his emotions or by his young wife (Nan), he is prone to abusive behavior...that he later regrets. He is a product and victim of his times...a prisoner of his title and what is expected of him as a Duke. Carla's and James' chemistry was so wonderful that some how you hope they will be able to work things out in their difficult marriage. You see all the missed opportunities on the part of both Nan and Julius...opportunities that probably would have made their union a success. So, it's sad and rather tragic to see it all fall apart, when it really didn't have to. But, Julius and Nan are both VERY young...and ill equiped to overcome outside influences, or to fully realize the duties of their positions as Duke and Duchess of Trevenick. Julius is guilty of bad actions and heartless decisions, yet, at the same time, he is capable of sincere kindness and gentle-ness. He is a man torn between the past and it's restraints upon him and the present with it's promise of love and happiness if he would but only allow himself to feel and express it. Julius Trevenick is someone you love and hate at the same time.

All the characters are well drawn. All the cast is first-rate..and the story is extremely compelling. I believe Edith Wharton would be very proud.

... Wharton died before finishing-writing The Buccaneers, Wadey finishing her story for this screenplay, many viewers and Wharton fans thought her version too "Hollywood," too unrealistic, as ALL of Wharton's previous novels, have markedly realistic & distinctly solemn endings for all their characters & plot lines

... finding the ending suitable or not, it's a decent adaptation for TV, and the cast does good work bringing it to the screen... set in a time one-hundred-fifty-years ago, it's a timeless work that would hold up whenever viewed

... if viewers and fans didn't like the '95 version, can't imagine they'll be viewing the 2023 one any better at all, as they are night-n-day-different... better-or-worse, ur-call.

The miniseries really belongs to Carla Gugino (Nan) whose story we follow and who grown from childish dreamer to a woman who can weigh the consequences of her actions. Mira Sorvino's accent is impeccable, and both Alison Elliot and Rya Kihlstedt are great. The tale of four American heiresses who trade themselves for a place in English society is bittersweet, but has the most upbeat ending of all of Wharton's works. Don't miss it.