Lady Audley's Secret

This film has a fine cast but the structure is bewildering. The characters are introduced in a haphazard fashion, and the story progresses in a way which makes it difficult to know what is going on. Either the screenplay was a disaster from the beginning, or any sense of continuity in the story was lost in the editing. I found it unwatchable.

The original novel, Lady Audley's Secret, has much in common with the early detective novels that are also sensation novels by Wilkie Collins (The Woman in White, The Moonstone, etc.). This adaptation reduces the complexity of the plot (probably necessary), but also make so many unwarranted plot changes that it dilutes the intensity of the story. So, for the person who has read and has enjoyed Lady Audley's Secret, this is very disappointing.

From the point of view if production, the lighting and blocking are not as effective as they could be, and the location, while attractive, does not take advantage of the potential for creating tension between the open / superficial truths, and the hidden.

I think that the script could be much more effective with slowly unfolding flashbacks or more emphasis on the scraps of paper, pieces of evidence that are slowly uncovered / encountered by the "slacker" barrister.. and, his transformation from an unmotivated and rather indolent gentleman to a man with a purpose.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, even though it's not something I would generally pick up to watch. I think it is a bit bizarre that Lady Audley was created for "Mystery" -- the mystery portion itself was the least interesting. The challenge both for actors and audience lies in trying to uncover what makes these characters tick. Especially good is Julliette Caton, as the ingenuous Alicia; the best part of the story is watching her grow up. It was also impossible to think badly of Jamie Bamber's George Talboys, who seemed like a genuinely great guy. I plan to check the library for the book, because there are complexities that cannot be explored properly in a television special.

If you are looking for Poirot, pass this by. I would place this more along the lines of a dark Jane Austen novel.

I thought the introduction by Diana Rigg was fascinating. It's prompted me to read more of the author's works. The film was rather slow moving. The relationship building between Lucy and Robert wasn't there really but it was a delight on the eyes and captured the era in costumes and scenery beautifully. There weren't any real twists but it was an interesting story. Characters (the maid) were brought in, then used and dropped. Needed a bit more fleshing out. Worth watching though.

Hopefully, somebody will actually make a faithful version of this terrific gothic novel. Because this certainly wasn't one. What a big disappointment.