Dan1863Sickles This is a wonderful story, with great history, action, adventure, and romance. It's so inspiring to see true love triumph between aristocratic, cast-off Lorna, and rugged, family-oriented John Ridd. The whole Ridd family is so warm and caring you can really see why Lorna is so happy to be with them, and away from the almost animal-like Doones, who were once aristocrats but are now sub-human savages.The only problem is, Lorna Doone herself is actually a fairly minor character in her own story. Nothing against the fetching and gifted Amelia Warner, but as a heroine Lorna tends to let others do most of her thinking for her. It's really John who encourages her to break away from the Doones, and stay snug and secure with his warm, loving family. Then when the truth of her aristocratic background sends her to London, Lorna doesn't do much to protest other than look a bit pained and sad.Frankly, the story seems to leave out all of Lorna's real struggle, choosing between a life of luxurious comfort at the royal court versus the hard work and responsibility of a farm wife in rural Devon. It would have been nice to see a bit more of Lorna at court, sleeping late and having breakfast in bed, being tempted by handsome nobles, lovely gowns, music, lots of gossip and lazy pleasure and sumptuous luxury. There's no sense of what she's giving up to be with John! Another problem is with the villain of the story, Carver Doone. This man is meant to be dark, satanic, chilling, and in his own way devastatingly attractive to Lorna. Instead he's a laughable buffoon. The moment he becomes leader of the Doone clan he makes one stupid blunder after another, yet no one seems to notice. First he leads his men on a raid of the Ridd farm house, and about half of them get shot out of the saddle (by Lorna and John's sisters!) in about ten seconds. But nobody says, "great plan, chief!" Then he gambles everything on having the Doones support Monmouth's Rebellion, with no sense of what's at stake if he loses. Then at the end, his whole clan gets wiped out and all he does is mope and plot revenge against Lorna for jilting him! By the way, it's also very revealing that John Ridd at the end wins reward and pardon from the king for leading the "final assault" on the Doone stronghold in the swamps, yet lovely Lorna seems to have no particular interest in the outcome. Remember, these are the people she's lived with all her life. Even if Carver and his father and grandfather have been cruel to her, you'd think she'd say something to John, like, "please be merciful, darling." Or something! Maybe her mind was still on all the pleasures she passed up in London, or kissing all those handsome nobles of the court!

Kara Dahl Russell I had not heard of this production, so I had no expectations of it. I am a fan of the BBC literature miniseries, and the lead actor (Richard Coyle) in this had a small, disagreeable role in "Wives and Daughters." What a nice surprise to see him in such a positive role, so charming and sincere. He is wonderful here, complex and layered.I found this film to be an unexpected joy. The plot has many twists that went in unusual directions, the countryside vistas are gorgeous, it is like a rustic country vacation with a love story. If you want to find faults, there are always some to be found. The villain is handsome but one dimensional - and what is up with the "soul patch" beardlette and the hair? (And he is the reason why this is a 9 and not a 10... too modern phsyco, rather than tempestuous highlander.) The heroine is lovely, but really a bit too young to have the acting complexity to hold our interest for this long. One of the sisters has horrible modern highlighted blonde hair which many actresses have now, and it is the bane of period movies... why didn't they fix that? Some of the plot points are silly and expected, but still... overall, this is a delight, and the costumes, sets and villages feel authentic and isolated and real. At the half way point, the story completely surprised me and took us to a different place. How fun. This film is also a rare one; in that I think BOTH my parents would enjoy it. It is enough of a man's story to hold my father's interest, but enough of a woman's story to keep it lively and lovely. Much of the action is outdoors at some locations which are part of a national preserve/park which lend a fairytale quality to the action, perfect for this legend of a magical romance in a very real world.Completely enjoyable!

Noirdame79 I can't stop raving about this movie. When it aired on A&E I was glued to my television set for three hours. I have rarely found a TV movie that watchable and fascinating. I instantly loved the story, and not long after bought a copy of the R.D. Blackmore classic novel. The actors became the characters, so much so that you forgot they were just acting.Everything about this film is superb. The story of a young man, John Ridd, from a farming family in the southwest England in the 1600s who watches as his beloved father is murdered in cold blood by the infamous aristocratic Doone clan, who terrorize the countryside. He grows into manhood determined to seek revenge, only to fall in love with the lovely Lorna Doone, and to come to blows with the violent and controlling Carver Doone who is betrothed to Lorna and will stop at nothing to possess her. The feud between the two families leads to consequences, as does the political intrigue gripping Britain at that time. The opposition towards the Catholic James II inheriting the throne and the illegitimate Duke Of Monmouth's attempts to have the title of King for himself whips the country into a frenzy.The costumes, locations, hairstyles, production design, dialogue and music are all top-notch, and the performers are all outstanding. It's not just a beautifully shot love story, but it is also full of fast-paced action, humor, intrigue, and drama. Amelia Warner fits the bill as Lorna, her exquisite beauty, fantastic presence, vulnerability and strength embodying her character wonderfully. Richard Coyle, rugged and handsome, is right on in his portrayal of John, a young man torn between his loyalty to his family and the memory of his father, and his love for this young beauty whom he knows is nothing like her vicious family. And the gorgeously roguish Aidan Gillen (I have a thing for Irish guys) is magnetic, strangely seductive and hypnotic as the obsessive, power-hungry Carver, who claims Lorna as his, and who wants all the power, all the while possessing a degree of vulnerability. When the story takes a twist regarding Lorna's true parentage, the film becomes even more engrossing as the viewer becomes more and more invested. What will happen? Will love conquer all? The smaller characters, from the Doones to the Ridds and the neighboring folk, to the nobility, King's army, royalty and the very real historical figure Judge Jeffreys, give the film a scope and adds authenticity to the story. All the people I have shared this movie with have enjoyed it, and have complimented the music, a lovely mixture of folk and Celtic melodies, and the wonderfully lush, green landscape and the design of the houses, cottages, and castles. In short, you feel like you are there, not that you are watching a movie. It all seems so real, making it a marvellous experience. It is a masterpiece! Romantics, take note.

vgs1895 This is a beautiful story, intricately woven, and well worth watching. Of all the versions I have seen, this is by far the best one. The actors have a real chemistry, and the authenticity of the movie make it that much better. This is a movie worth watching several times (a year?). A & E has done it again.