Amazon.com: This picaresque bodice-ripper is far more engrossing than one might expect, but then again it has a good pedigree. Based on a novel by Daphne du Maurier, the Restoration-era tale concerns Dona St. Columb (Tara Fitzgerald), a Catholic in the age of William and Mary and a survivor of Cromwell's repression. Married to an older, foolish aristocrat whom she easily manipulates, Dona has cultivated a suggestion of scandal to enhance her natural reputation as a tough, willful, cigarette-puffing Londoner. In an effort to get away from intrigues at the royal court, Dona takes her two children and heads for the family's Cornwall estate, where she hopes to find peace. She soon discovers, however, that French pirates turned patriots have been making use of her land, home, and even housekeeping staff to aid in France's war against Britain. Initially outraged, Dona is soon swayed by the pirates' passion for their cause and feels the absence in herself of a similar authenticity. The solution: join the raiders on their exploits and become the lover of their handsome captain (Anthony Delon). The story hums along most entertainingly and Fitzgerald's focused performance, both harsh and sensuous, provides a sturdy backbone to the drama. Delon mostly smolders, which is enough here, but the terrific supporting cast brings a dimension and color that makes the whole production more than agreeable. The ending is particularly satisfying, ultimately turning Frenchman's Creek into a human adventure that is more than the sum of its swashbuckling parts. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - This is Breath taking
I really love Pirate movies. and this is great pirate movie. I am a person that looks over the movie well before I buy it an this movie is great, It has laughing , and loving, and sad, and it is so funny in some parts of this movie. Anthony Delon play a great part in this and so did Tara Fitzgerald. And I wish again that they made a part 2 of this movie as well. I wish they made more moves of Anthony Delon in english.
Rating: - TERRIBLE REMAKE
This adaptation of the wonderful Daphne du Maurier novel is pathetic. Dona St. Columb is WAAYY too much of a witch in this movie and SMOKES which is NOT in the book. She also seems to like flirting with Rockingham whom she despises in the book. The movie portrays Dona as very self-centered, and although I think she is a bit selfish in the book, she is not as selfish as this movie makes her out to be.
If you want to watch a movie that is true to the novel, rent the version with Joan Fontaine and Arturo Cordova. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: - Deviates A LOT from the book
The movie itself is ok, if judged on its own merits. ... however there are so many deviations from DuMaurier's book, its overwhelming. A simple romantic/pirate book, turns into a catholic/papist vs protestant story (not in the book). Then a pirate turns into a patriot (not in the book), the dutch is brought into this (not in the book). Insolent daughter that is puritanical in her views (not in book) Its really overwhemling, meetings in town, violent in the beginning is all in the movie ONLY. The quietness, the romance is all gone in this version.
The acting is ok, the costumes excellent ... Read More
Rating: - Political intrigue, pirates, and romance
The filmmaker makes the most out of this mixture of political intrigue, pirates, and romance. The main character, Lady of St. Colomb was interesting and exciting. In sum, I thought this was excellent.
Rating: - Disappointed
I was disappointed with this version of Frenchman's Creek. The heroine's acting abilities were fine but the hero's ability is something to be desired. Definitely a B film, not impressed at all. I actually stopped watching it half way through.
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