Frenchman's Creek

Having read the book many years ago, my memory of the story wasn't at it's best when I started to watch this adaption. Still, I found it hard to feel much empathy for the heroine, Lady Dona, her behaviour being totally selfish. No wonder her daughter was willing to betray her mother's French lover and his cohorts. After all the woman did rip the highly religious little girl's crucifix from around her neck and toss it out the carriage window! Also her husband may be not as exciting as her French lover, but he obvious adores her and has more balls than she gives him credit for.

I was disappointed with the feeling this production gave me in general. Being a English history buff, I must admit my political support was with Dutch King William of Orange and Queen Mary (King James' eldest daughter and heir) and his Protestant supporters, as Catholic James II was a pig-headed, stubborn man, unlike his brother Charles II, and didn't know when to keep his religious beliefs to himself in such religiously turbulent times. Maybe those unaware of politics of that time will enjoy it more. Don't if you are aware of the consequences of James II's foolishness. One should also be aware that the people of Cornwall and Devon bore a grudge against James II because he slaughtered many of their men who rose in support of Charles II illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, who tried to claim the throne from his uncle in an uprising. Watch the 2000 BBC adaption Lorna Doone, which takes place at the same time. A much better production.

If you liked Daphne du Maurier's original novel, avoid this like the plague. Large elements of the plot (including the period setting) have been changed. I was incredibly disappointed with the result - it seemed to alter the whole mood of the novel.

The Cornish views and setting of the Creek and the Estuary are wondeful .Mostly well cast but sadly Anthony Delon asaaa the epoymous Frenhman is just not convincing. He is not reaslly ruthless enough, he is after all a pirate who kills people and robs them for a liivng. Comes over as soppy and a rather mechanical actor. Tara Fitzgerals was very convincing as the spoilt and self absorbed Dona The boats are obviously beiig sailed by people who know what they are doing.. Best to just read it and imagine your own Frenchman. Sir Harry is well cast . The Cornish manor house is a bit too grand, but film makers always overdo it ,

I had really hoped to like this film, but I just could not. It is one of those films trying to make a "dark and gritty" version of a story, but only succeed in omitting all that made the story good in the first place. At a quarter of the running time, I was already in despair. At half, I found that I could not force myself to endure any more of this crap. I never finished, and I don't think anything could induce me to waste my time with the second half.

There were a few things I liked :

* Harry, who was portrayed rather accurately. * Rockingham, same. It surprised me. I thought that if they would botch a character it would be him. After all, how can you compare to any of Basil Rathbone's villains ? Well, you just can't. (I know, I am very biased towards Basil Rathbone ^^). But you can come very close, and I liked this one well enough.

Otherwise, the negatives :

* All the political and religious stuff, which distract from the main story without improving it. * The Frenchman : I found him awful. Really awful. He's not an artist doodling birds anymore, except one in a book which looks terrible. He's not witty, he's not charming, he's just annoying and full of himself. I couldn't feel anything between him and Dona. I didn't watch the second half so it might chang later, but I doubt it. None of the interactions between him and Dona are memorable or witty, but just two unlikable people snapping at each other. * Dona : As another reviewer wrote, she feels more like a street tart than a lady. She too lost all the wit she had in the book, and is frequently rude and mean-spirited instead. The prime example being how she deals with unwanted attentions or people who annoy her : "If you come near Navron I'll set the dogs after you !". And basically every conversation she has with... mostly everyone. And although she talks about her children, it didn't feel as though she was very fond of them. * Henrietta : Oh dear, she was just terrible. In the book and 1944 version, she is too young to have much personality, and it's fine, because it is not her story. In this film, she just felt like she was written in order to make a point about religion making people worse. * William : Another character drained of charm and wit for this movie.

I really enjoyed this film. Beautiful locations, well-acted & perfectly cast (esp. Ms. Fitzgerald). Only once did it feel like a TV movie; most of the time it felt like cinema. In fact, I wish I'd had the opportunity to see this in a cinema. I'm not one for mushy romance, so men -- fear not. Rent this one, find your sweetheart and curl up for a wonderful film. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on this movie! *applause* This was far better than recent Hollywood fodder.