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Robert Louis Stevenson's St. Ives

 
Movies:

Robert Louis Stevenson's St. Ives

  • Director: Harry Hook
  • Genre: Adventure
  • Movie Type: Swashbuckler, Costume Adventure
  • Themes: Escape From Prison, Inheritance at Stake
  • Release Year: 2000
  • Run Time: 90 minutes

Plot

Jacques St. Ives (Jean Marc Barr) is a much-envied officer in Napoleon's army who requests a demotion in rank so as to avoid a number of duels from fellow officers, who may challenge only those of an equal rank. To his shock, Jacques is demoted to the rank of private by a furious commander and is sent to the front where, through a mishap, he is taken prisoner and sent to Scotland where the prison warden is a bored British officer, Major Farquar Chevening (Richard E. Grant). The major lusts for a local lovely, Flora (Anna Friel), but she lusts for Jacques; Flora's randy aunt Susan has eyes for the major, while Flora arranges an escape for Jacques with his long-lost grandfather, and the major takes lessons in womanizing from Jacques. In a nasty turn, St. Ives' bitter and violent brother (Jason Isaacs) plots to kill Jacques before he can assume their grandfather's inheritance. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

Review

Now here's something you don't see everyday: A comedy farce set in 1813, with snappy one-liners, broad slapstick and loveable eccentrics. There is enough dark drama -- provided by the backdrop of war and the subplot regarding the violent brother -- to keep a certain level of intensity, but otherwise, this is a feather-light soufflé, not a heavy meal. One wonders how much the film has to do with Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, but no matter: The lushly produced and fancifully acted light-hearted romp will appeal to those who enjoy well-mounted period pieces with (brief) swashbuckling action. Dashing Jean Marc Barr exhibits shadows of early Daniel Day-Lewis and Richard E. Grant, a bit too broad at times, provides much of the comic diversion with his usual panache. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

Cast

Jean-Marc Barr - Captain Jacques St. Ives; Richard E. Grant - Major Chevening; Jason Isaacs; Miranda Richardson - Miss Gilchrist; Anna Friel - Flora

Credit

Harry Hook - Director, Robert Louis Stevenson - Book Author

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