Watch Lorna Doone

Lorna Doone is a romantic drama film released in 1990, directed by Andrew Grieve with a screenplay by Robin Mukherjee. The movie was produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and stars Michael MacKenzie, Andrew Ferguson, and Sean Bean in the lead roles. The film is based on the historical romance novel Lorna Doone, written by R.D. Blackmore and published in 1869. The story is set in 17th century England, specifically in the area of Exmoor in the county of Somerset. It follows the tale of the young and beautiful Lorna Doone, who lives with her family in a remote valley in Exmoor. The Doones are a notorious and lawless clan, known for their acts of robbery and violence against the nearby townsfolk. However, Lorna is different from the rest of her family, being kind and gentle-hearted despite her upbringing.

The story begins with John Ridd (played by Michael MacKenzie), who is a young and muscular farmer from a nearby village. He is on a hunting expedition when he comes across Lorna Doone (played by Polly Walker), who is in danger from her own family members. John manages to save her and takes her back to his village, where he develops a mutual attraction to her. In an effort to protect her from her family, they end up spending a lot of time together and falling in love.

Lorna, however, is already engaged to someone else, namely Carver Doone (played by Sean Bean), the brutal and violent son of the Doone clan leader. Their engagement was arranged by Carver's mother, Lady Dugal (played by Fiona Victory), who intends to use Lorna as a means to advance her own power and influence. Despite this, Lorna still harbors feelings for John, which makes things more complicated.

As the story unfolds, John and Lorna's feelings for each other grow stronger, but the threat of the Doones looms large. Carver and his mother are determined to keep Lorna and maintain their hold on the valley, even if it means using violence and deceit. The conflict between the Ridds and the Doones escalates rapidly, resulting in a turbulent and violent final act.

Although the film deviates from the original novel on some occasions, it stays faithful to the central themes of love, loyalty, and adventure. The romance between John Ridd and Lorna Doone is at the heart of the story, and the performers manage to convey a genuine chemistry on the screen. Michael MacKenzie gives a solid performance as the rugged and honest John, who is willing to do anything to protect the woman he loves, while Polly Walker is captivating as Lorna, the innocent and conflicted heroine. Sean Bean shines as Carver Doone, the ruthless antagonist, who provides a convincing contrast to the virtuous character of John Ridd.

The movie also showcases the magnificent scenery of the Exmoor region, with its wild landscapes and rugged terrain providing a stunning backdrop to the story. The costumes and sets are expertly designed to capture the period setting, adding a visual richness to the film.

Overall, Lorna Doone is an engaging and heartfelt adaptation of a classic romantic novel. It provides a compelling blend of drama and action, with well-crafted characters and a stirring love story. The film stands as a testament to the enduring power of historical romance and the allure of romantic adventure.