Customer Reviews

Swept From the Sea [VHS]

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had to write this in the hopes that some off-base "movie critic" would happen to read it, and maybe get the hint that he/she is way out of touch with love, beauty and amazing film making. "Swept From The Sea" is one of the most wrenching films I've ever seen, evoking passion, heartache and intense joy in the audience one scene after another. It is the story of a ship-wrecked Ukranian who finds himself on the shores of hostile Cornwall, England, and how he finds acceptance and "true gold" in the heart of misunderstood Amy Foster. The acting is superb, with breath-taking Vincent Perez exuding more emotion and energy with a glance than most leading men are able to in a monologue. Rachel Weisz's elegant beauty and dignity brings Amy's character the fierce strength and delicate femininity that Yanko falls so deeply in love with. Ian McKellan and Kathy Bates add depth and diversity to the film with their individual impressions of the doomed love affair and McKellan's shocked realization of his ill-placed resentment for Amy is a scene that will stay with you a long time. In all, "Swept From The Sea" seemed to be taken by critics as Amy was taken by the townspeople of Cornwall...simple, dull and not worth the effort to understand or accept...and just like Amy, this film proved them wrong. It is complex and beautiful, sweet, powerful and deeply touching. Everyone should see this gem of a film...it will help you appreciate those dear to you as you search for the Amys and Yankos in your lives.

A gorgeous, and virtually overlooked film! I stumbled across it quite by accident through a perusal of romantic period films, and let me say, this one leaves them all behind! The scenery and backdrop is stunning, the acting supurb, and the score haunting. The story of an outcast, a foreigner, and their tragic romance will leave you in tears, especially at the end. Forgiveness, Christian values, and the power of love inspire and enhance a wonderful film, perfect for any fan of beautiful love stories.

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit. ~Helen Keller

Amy's life is lonely and she lives in almost complete silence, obeying the wishes of the family she works for in a coastal village. She is captivated by the sea and collects treasures that float up on the beach near her secret hideout/cave. For the first part of the movie, she seems to be living in a dream world. While some think she is a simpleton, others think she is a witch who can conjure storms. She has a gentle, patient, malleable nature.

Often Amy (Rachel Weisz) is found dancing in the rain or standing in a window letting the wind and rain drench her clothes. She is a child of the water and loves the rain, rivers and the ocean. She seems to drift from reality into fantasy as she twirls in the rain. In fact, it seems she dreams her true love into life. She seems to be calling to him from the cliffs of Cornwall.

Yanko (Vincent Perez) arrives in Amy's village and changes her life. He is the only survivor of a shipwreck. He finds himself in a foreign land with no way to communicate with the residents. They fear strangers and almost kill him a few times before they allow him to live a normal life.

Amy seems to be a naturally kind and compassionate Pices. She also seems to be in love with Yanko from the moment they gaze at one another through the kitchen window. Like two trapped animals set free, they run to each other whenever possible and share a secret world only they understand.

"I'm your home and you're mine." ~Yanko

While both Yanko and Amy seems to live at a higher level of existence, you might be shocked by the downright cruelty of many of the villagers. There is a sharp contrast between those who are accepting of Yanko and those who are willing to shun even those who talk to Yanko. Amy not only faces distain because of her quiet manner, she is also hated because she welcomes Yanko into her life. She accepts him like a gift from the sea.

James Kennedy (Ian McKellen) realizes he is one of the Russian emigrants from a recent shipwreck while the rest of the village views him more cautiously. James doesn't seem to know the full story and the wounds are only healed by retelling the story to Yanko's former employer.

At times this movie borders on cinematic extravagance. The widescreen edition is stunning in places. Scenes of Amy dancing in the rain in a blue haze, horses pulling carriages across vast expanses of land, trains, seascapes, ships and an abundance of lush scenery at the edge of the ocean.

Being a lover of the ocean myself, I rather liked this movie. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, the score is dramatic, romantic, filled with longing and almost torturous in places.

Swept from the Sea is a story of two people who have a connection to the ocean and who understand one another on the deepest levels of the soul. Most of what goes on in this movie seems to go on in your own mind. Yanko and Amy seem to almost speak to one another telepathically. At times it is pure magic!

~The Rebecca Review

I had a lot of expectations going into this movie, and they were all thoroughly met! Vincent Perez(Indochine), plays Yanko Gooral, a shipwrecked immigrant on his way to America. Being the only survivor, many believe he escaped from an insane asylum. Amy Foster(Rachel Weisz), is the first person Yanko sees after the shipwreck, and for a while is the only person who shows him kindness. Yanko and Amy fall for each other, but in 19th century society a 'gypsy' and a 'simpleton' are odd enough alone, but together are a subject truly worthy of gossip. As a theatre performance major, I hold movies to a higher level of scrutiny, but this one passes with flying colors!

This is a sad little gem of a movie. I really liked that the plot explored more themes than just romantic love. The story had as much to do with issues of identity, community, and fidelity. In my opinion, there were a few technical and narrative flaws that kept the film from attaining the level of greatness that it should have achieved, especially when considering the quality of the performances. The slight quiver in Weisz's voice was right on target as was Perez's accent. The rest of the illustrious cast was more than capable. Considering the type of story and the setting, I can't help but think that a three-part mini-series would have been a more appropriate treatment than a feature film. I emerged from watching the movie with a feeling that there was a lot more to explore beneath the surface of each character.

It seems that this film has been overlooked by the mainstream and "discovered" accidently by more than one reviewer. Swept From the Sea is a classic romance story that ends with lost love and regret and redemption. It is an historical romance/tragedy--Amy a young woman put out to work by her family and makes two profound discoveries: 1. love for a shipwrecked Russian who knows no English 2. the truth behind her true parentage. These two events collide as Amy pushes for her independence and self-identity symbolized by her cave home. The lovers are united for a short time, before they are torn from each other by Fate.

What makes this story/film so wonderful is that it is told in such a way that you are piecing together the history of their lives and the eventual ending is made more sweet than bitter. Amy's actions are misunderstood and she does eventually gain the understanding she so deserves. The acting was wonderful--tight, internalized, and powerful.Waiting for Odysseus

What first appealed to me was the soundtrack--music was composed and conducted by Mr. John Barry of incomparable fame for beautiful soundtracks like: Somewhere in Time, Out of Africa, My Life,Zulu, many of the James Bond themes like Goldfinger, Thunderball--the list goes on.

When I read a review by some critic who gets paid for voicing a "personal opinion," I usually take it with a grain of salt, such critics gave "Somewhere in Time" only a 1-star rating. I happened to read the review by a famous movie critic who gave SWEPT FROM THE SEA a poor review. That being the case, he was either suffering from jet lag or never saw the entire film--his rating of the this moving drama was unfounded. (He should be honest enough to return his fee for his rating and move on to something he can understand) "Swept from the Sea" not only offers beautiful locals, but EVERYTHING was superbly crafted and executed.

I won't go into the particulars of the theme other than it well illustrates how truly rotten people can be and how "true love" can overcome the greatest of obtacles. It's much more than just a love story, it surrounds one with realizm. Rachel Weisz, Vincent Perez and Ian McKellen give powerful performances, even when they don't speak.

Overall, if you enjoyed films like Somewhere in Time, My Life, Moment to Moment, this movie will tug at the heartstrings too. Swept from the Sea is a masterpiece-- a must see!

Do not confuse with Swept Away with Madonna.....This is a well acted and moving performande by both Vincent Perez (Indochine, The Crow II, Queen of the Damned) and Rachel Weiss (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Enemy at the Gates,). A slow girl meets the lone survivor of a shipwreck and they begin a romance. The obstacles each must endure to continue and live with the happiness they deserve are the basis of the story line...A little discovered gem of a movie....highly recommend....

No one I know has ever heard of this film. I found it during late night cruising of Amazon while looking for ocean-themed movies. I'm a sucker for a well-done historical film, and the reviewers sold me on this one. My interest was piqued by one guy-reviewer in Bakersfield praising this as a romantic film, yet giving the impression that this would NOT be a sappy, mushy gothic item. This film was as beautifully executed as all the reviewers lead me to believe. I particularly appreciated the pacing of the film. The director did not rush from shot to shot like a video game, but allowed the camera to linger a bit on faces and scenes, just enough to convey the sense of being in a slower-paced century, allow me to appreciate subtle details, and savor the visual beauty of this neat little gem of a film.

This is one of my favorite films ever. Swept From The Sea is a beautiful but sad story about two tragic lovers. The love they have for one another goes deeper than the sea. A Russian man called Yanko, the only living survivor of a ship that had been swallowed by the sea while on route to America to start a new life, washes to the shores of Cornwall England. The ignorance of the people who find him and how they treat him is sad, however, he is treated kindly by Amy Foster. She is a quiet and kind girl who helps Yanko who was locked away in a shed by her employer. One of the best scenes in the movie is when she sneaks out and brings the scared Yanko a blaket, food, water and a towel. She begins to wash his hands, feet and face. The look of such gratitude... I can't describe the beauty of that scene... Yanko is so touched by this woman's kindness it brings him to tears. That scene was so real and so moving. Amy Foster is an outcast because she is quiet and shy and Yanko is an outcast because he's from another part of the world. The time that the film is set in has alot to do with the ignorance of the people. Very few accepted Amy and Yanko. This movie is so wonderful and a MUST SEE for everyone. I don't want to say more to give it away. Make sure you have a box of KLEENEX!
CHEERS!