Customer Reviews

Frenchman's Creek [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This lavish romance epic set in the 17th century has gentle British noblewoman Lady St.Columb (Joan Fontaine) fleeing her spineless husband (Ralph Forbes) and his lecherous, dangerous friend, Rathbone, who lusts after her. The production is stunning in lush color with Claude Debussy's ethereal "Claire de Lune" as the picture's theme. A wonderful tearjerker and Rathbone excels as the menace.

Joan Fontaine is the gorgeous Lady Dona St. Columb, wife of an English baronet, who's had enough of her pompous husband Sir Harry (Ralph Forbes) & his best friend Lord Rockingham (Basil Rathbone), who lusts for her. Dona needing to flee takes her children & goes their country estate, Navron, on the coast of Cornwall. Her property borders an inlet. When she investigates she comes upon a French ship "La Mouette" & is forceably taken onboard where she meets the scruptous pirate captain Jean-Benoit Aubéry, who loves & respects her (as he says to her "I have said to myself her & no other" as he reiterates a comment aloud he once made to himself). They fall hoplessly in love & share in a pirate venture. The chemistry between them bring Daphne du Maurier's lavish romance epic set in the mid 17th century story to life.

Based on the Daphne DuMaurier novel, this rapturous adventure is unapologetically female in its viewpoint. Joan Fontaine plays an English noblewoman neglected by her foolish husband, and stalked by a decadent, womanizing lord (the great Basil Rathbone, at his most silky and depraved). Fleeing to her county home in Cornwall, she finds French pirate Arturo De Cordova operating out of a secluded creek on her property-causing an uproar among her neighbors. She tries to stick up for the moral principles of her class, but finds herself so attracted to the philosophical Frenchman and the freedom of his outlaw lifestyle, that she protects him, even joining in his illicit adventures.

The idea of skullduggery as foreplay as a woman and an outlaw earn each others' love is a powerful one, however watered-down by the film's moralistic finale (very different from DuMaurier's free-spirited book). More than any other movie, this is the one that made me want to write my own pirate novel, "The Witch From The Sea," from a woman's perspective.

Joan Fontaine sparkles in this faithful adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's book of the same title. The setting on the coast of Cornwall is beautiful as are the sumptuous costumes, but it is the chemistry between the two main characters that brings this poignant love story to life. I have read the book several times and the movie met all my expectations.

This film is a rare treat, a feast for the eyes. The colors and
photography are breathtaking (truly deserving of an oscar).
The story is a lovely mix of romance, grace and spicy adventure.
The beautiful English noblewoman, Dona St. Columb, and her soul-mate, the handsome French pirate, Jean Benoit Aubery, are per-
fectly portrayed by Joan Fontaine and Arturo de Cordova, and so is the very believable development of their love. I would have
liked another scene by the creek (fishing, perhaps, bird-
watching,or "exploring"), since this creek was their sanctuary,
their haven and symbol of escape from an artificial and shallow world and thus the springwell of the bond between them.
The supporting roles were beautifully cast and played, notably
the faithful William by Cecil Kellaway and treacherous Lord
Rockingham by Basil Rathbone.

I have loved this movie from the moment I first watched it more than 10 years ago. Decordova is such a hunk. Who wouldn't run away with him? I was truly touched in the end when Donna made the decision she did. It's a graceful film, and I have always loved it. I'm anxious to see if the newer remake does justice to the true beauty of the original. Although I'm sure it's wonderful, there's just something about Fontaine I don't think any actress today could capture. Nothing's as sharp as the original! this film is perfect for any romantic. It was for me!

It puts Barbara Cartland to shame as a competing great romance. I love how the criminal pirate is so noble, trustworthy, dashing, and handsome. Why would any woman want the rich, law abiding and as such, pathetically dull husband when she could have that? The horror and anguish of it all. Imagine being doomed to mansions, the elite, and being adored. Is it any wonder that she yearns to follow the pirate?

I have been waiting several years for this movie to be on video. The other version doesn't even compare !!! I saw this movie many, many times.

The colors in the movie are indescribable. If you enjoy seeing those old English country estates, the one in this movie is stunning. But it is merely stage dressing for the love story that occurs between an English noble-woman (Joan Fontaine) and a very handsome French pirate. I think what I loved most about this movie was the idea of being able to escape from the mundane predictability and responsibilities of daily life, into a world of adventure with a dashing lover as Joan Fontaine does. Altogether, a visual feast for the eyes, wings for one's spirit of adventure, and a great way to spend a couple of hours relaxing.

The colors in the movie are indescribable. If you enjoy seeing those old English country estates, the one in this movie is stunning. But it is merely stage dressing for the love story that occurs between an English noble-woman (Joan Fontaine) and a very handsome French pirate. I think what I loved most about this movie was the idea of being able to escape from the mundane predictability and responsibilities of daily life, into a world of adventure with a dashing lover as Joan Fontaine does. Altogether, a visual feast for the eyes, wings for one's spirit of adventure, and a great way to spend a couple of hours relaxing.