Customer Reviews

Robert Louis Stevenson's St Ives [VHS]

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

 

 

I saw this film, when it was first shown on British television and I just loved it. Having already been a big fan of the gorgeous Jean Marc Barr, star of the 1988 movie The Big Blue, I was intrigued to find the fanastic Frenchman playing the title role of St.Ives, a captain of the french army captured by the British in the Napoleonic wars. Starring a cast of the best actors Britain has to offer - Miranda Richardson (Blackadder), Richard E Grant (Withnail & I) and Anna Friel (Mad Cows) just to name a few, a witty and occasionally hillarious script, and a passionate and heart-warming love story, how could anyone not be entertained by this film. If you thought all British period dramas were stuffy affairs, all breetches and corsets, think again. St. Ives has everything from duelling brothers to an English Channel crossing hot-air balloon flight. A film that has a little bit of everything for the whole family to enjoy!

I saw this movie in a hotel in Inverary, Scotland and it took me three years to finally figure out what it actually was called. I never forgot it and when I saw a preview on another movie I have, I immediatly ordered it.

St. Ives is an utterly delicious romp. It is charming, funny, and romantic, with momemtary lapses in humour that so many comedies these days seem to lack. It follows the adventures of Jaques St. Ives (played with great skill by Jean-Marc Barr) one of Napolean's hussars. St. Ives, after contriving to get himself demoted in order to escape a number of duels inadvertanly tumbles into a camp of British soldiers and ends up in Scotland as a prisoner of war. There he meets charming Miss Flora and her wordly aunt (Anna Friel and Miranda Richardson) and comes across the uptight Major, played with hilarious British prudishness by Richard E Grant. After a daring escape, a run in with his long lost brother, and a balloon ride, everything settles nicely down to a very happy, sweet ending.

The film is perfectly cast. Jean-Marc Barr traipses through it with suave French heroicism, and Miranda Richardson sparkles as an interesting combination of proper British lady and worldly adventureous. Anna Friel is fresh faced and innocent, her laugh is infectous and Richard E. Grant kept me laughing. Jason Iasacs is also notable as St. Ives' brother.

It is a vividly shot film, with the colours bright and pure, and the soundtrack bounces along in perfect accordance to the light, humourous feel of the movie. In essense, this movie is a miniature feast for the eyes, and the heart.

I bought this film on a whim and will watch it more than once. The DVD version has been digitally mastered and is very beautiful--the blues and reds of the English and French uniforms, the greens of the countryside, the stunning blue of the hot air baloon, the white sand of the coast.

Robert Louis Stevenson, a 19th Century English writer whose illustrious compatriots include Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Jane Eyre wrote ST IVES--the book the film is based upon. This tale is somewhat reminiscent of a Jane Austen story with its lover's angst, but it lacks Austen's irony and amazing plot twists. Also, Janie did not include the blood and guts and sex depicted on the screen in ST IVES--but did Robinson? In some ways, ST IVES is more akin to the French tales of the Ancien regime (VALMONT) than the English tales of the Regency period, but unlike the French stories, this tale is relatively upbeat (there are some deaths).

Perhaps one might liken ST IVES to the Scarlet Pimpernel but the hero is a real Frenchman, not an English Aristocrat posing as one. St Ives is also fighting for Napoleon when he isn't dueling "wanabees" or chasing pretty women. One day, St Ives finds himself an English prisoner-of-war after back-slapping pal (his second at his numerous duels) unwittingly causes him to slide down an embankment into the waiting arms of British soldiers.

St Ives captors transport him to Scotland, where he is placed under the watchful eye and lock and key of Major Chevening who is a bit resentful of having been kept out of the fracas on the continent. Chevening has been ineffectively courting the delicious Flora, niece of Miss Gilcrist. In an amazing turn of events, Miss Gilchrist (who is extemely worldly) and St. Ives are soon both coaching Major Chevening concerning his courting strategies.

ST IVES is a hero, not the place with kits, cats, sacks and wives as I thought all these years, and the gentleman's name is pronounced "Santeff". Miranda Richardson is wonderful as Miss Gilcrist (she is related to the Redgraves and Natasha). Richard Grant is oh so funny as Major Chevening, and he and Miss Gilcrist have some very amusing scenes together. I had not heard of the two younger actors who play St Ives and his love interest, but they are also very good. The plotline of ST IVES is not as well developed as Austen's story PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, if it were it would be as well known, but it is as well developed as NORTHANGER ABBY. The characters are two-dimensional, but real enough that one cares what happens to them. The film's strengths include moments of sadness, humor, and above all lots of love-making.

...Just a whim that it might be good because I love the combination of literature and film. I want to tell you what a rollocking, fun ride this movie is, I was definitely not disappointed. The portrayal were fun and first rate, the story was exciting and funny. Everyone interested in Lit/film should run out and rent this film.

The first time I viewed this delightful video was on a whim. What a wonderful time I had! This film stands up to multiple viewings thanks to the witty screenplay, rich cinematography and wonderful casting in all roles -- the heroes are flawed, the villains are delicious, and the women are intelligent and gutsy. Both men and women will enjoy this movie. It's a keeper.

This movie is a textbook example of building a taut story through emotional conflict and fast-paced action.

At every turn the hero is faced with some new challenge that makes accomplishing his goal just a little more difficult. Along the way, he displays such charm, nobility, and courage you can't help but fall in love with him. This is a hero you would follow from bedroom to battlefield, palace to prison.

This story, and the overwhelming conflict, keeps the reader interested because Stevenson's protagonist has strong emotional appeal. You find yourself rooting for St. Ives at every turn, groaning when he is captured, gasping when someone he trusts turns on him.

The actors are well cast, especially the delicious Jason Isaacs (Colonel Tavington in The Patriot) as the villain.

The humor is tongue-in-cheek.

A sure hit!

What a fun movie St. Ives is. It reminds me of the type of film made during the 40's. Classic story, rounded off by characters and a plot that is neither over dramatic nor overtly complicated. In fact it isn't over anything. Robert Lewis Stevenson's story - here adapted for the screen - reads like Jane Austen for men. We do get a tale that has a romance at its heart, but there is plenty of fun too: battle scenes (sort of), prison escapes, mistaken identities, swordplay, and the funniest line I've heard in years: "Only in Scotland would guests be announced by name at a masked ball." There is much hilarity, hardship, and not a little heartbreak as St. Ives tries to fight and find his way back to a family and life he barely knew.

The cast is absolutely stellar with the too infrequently seen Jean Marc Barr absolutely perfect in the title role. Anna Friel is a refreshing delight as the resourceful Flora and Miranda Richardson nearly walks away with the movie as her worldly, seen-it-all Aunt Susan. Richard Grant provides comic relief of the highest order.

This is not going to be the greatest movie anyone has ever seen, but it's charms are undeniable and the entire film fairly bristles with an energy that bursts with life.

p.

Terrific! A great blend of humor, adventure (sword fights and such), and romance, with some breathtaking scenery (shot in Ireland, France, Germany...). Nice to see women who don't shirk adventure and who are willing to take risks, and dashing men who see and want to see good in others despite their loyalties. Always something around the corner to keep the pace moving, all together very RLS.

This film is delightful, filled with humor, adventure and romance. It's a tongue-in-cheek romp that is beautifully acted and directed.

The closest film comparison is to Tony Richardson's "Tom Jones."

I enjoyed every second of the rented DVD and will be buying this one for my permanent collection.

This movie has a good enough cast, great locations and costumes but it is plagued by flashbacks, trite plot devices and excessive irony! It can't decide if is a sexy Tom Jones wanna be, a serious BBC type drama or Monty Pythonesque so it goes all over the place and ends up leaving the viewer pretty unengaged in the outcome IMO. Hotty Jason Isaacs (The State Within) is totally wasted here but he wears a great wig and is a proper villain for the brief time he is actually on screen. If you must watch it, my advice is to rent it!