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The Wyvern Mystery (TV 2000)After precipitating the death of a tenant with whom he has been feuding, Squire Fairfield brings the dead man's young daughter to live in Wyvern Manor. Alice grows up thinking the squire is... See full summary » Director:Alex Pillai |
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Title: The Wyvern Mystery (TV 2000)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Naomi Watts | ... |
Alice Fairfield
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| Derek Jacobi | ... |
Squire Fairfield
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| James Doherty | ... |
Mick
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| Iain Glen | ... |
Charles Fairfield
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| Jack Davenport | ... |
Harry Fairfield
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Aisling O'Sullivan | ... |
Vrau
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Elaine Collins | ... |
Dulcie
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Ellie Haddington | ... |
Mrs. Tarnley
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Marston Bloom | ... |
Alice's father
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Tim Preece | ... |
Jim
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Raymond Sawyer | ... |
Doctor
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John Peters | ... |
Reverend Cray
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Anita Carey | ... |
Mrs. Carew
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Ursula Holden Gill | ... |
Lily
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Mark Hadfield | ... |
Tom
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
After precipitating the death of a tenant with whom he has been feuding, Squire Fairfield brings the dead man's young daughter to live in Wyvern Manor. Alice grows up thinking the squire is her kind benefactor, and falls in love with one of his two sons. When the squire makes his romantic intentions known to Alice, she and Charles elope, incurring the wrath of his father. They avoid the squire by living in an outlying estate where their baby is born. Charles is attacked by a mysterious woman who literally comes out of the woodwork, and the baby is moved to the home of an acquaintance of Harry, the squire's other son. Alice faces the loss of her child and possible loss of her husband amid the gloomy home she feels trapped in, surrounded by secrets and mysteries and wondering who she can really trust. Written by Ron Kerrigan <mvg@whidbey.com>
Taglines:
Some family secrets can kill.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
12 October 2000 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Kalla kårar See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
BBC Films, Television Production Company (TPC), The Television Production Company See more »
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
Color
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Alice Fairfield: Yes, I would love to hear.
Charles Fairfield: All the same, thieves everywhere, but the worst wear wigs and practice law.
Harry Fairfield: Well said Charley, there are more thieves in the courts than the filthiest alehouse.
Squire Fairfield: What do you want with lawyers?
Charles Fairfield: As little as possible.
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Did You Know?
Quotes
Squire Fairfield: So, what news of London?Alice Fairfield: Yes, I would love to hear.
Charles Fairfield: All the same, thieves everywhere, but the worst wear wigs and practice law.
Harry Fairfield: Well said Charley, there are more thieves in the courts than the filthiest alehouse.
Squire Fairfield: What do you want with lawyers?
Charles Fairfield: As little as possible.
See more »
This is a movie that is a serious case for a rewrite. Too many plot points, yet jumping around too much made for a movie that just couldn't settle into its mood. Imagine taking the original Godfather novel and putting ALL of it into just one film. Part of what made the Godfather movies so enjoyable was the easy pace that allowed wonderful character development.
The Wyvern Mystery screenwriter couldn't decide between editing out choices and what to leave in, resulting in both too much detail and too many plot points occupying the time, leaving out real character development. At the same time, instead of wise choices for plot points, too few at critical times were left out, resulting in leaving out situational development. For example, at the beginning of the film, you see very young Alice Fairchild and then abruptly, you see the adult Alice. This left out not only her growth, but the growth in relationship between her and her guardian, the Squire. A richer establishment of their relationship would have added texture and resonance to what follows in the film. Yet, this relationship was almost totally missing other than the superficial aspects of it.
The cast performances are fine. The music and some of the shots are over the top, coming from a Masterpiece Theatre feeling to suddenly horror, Friday the 13th style. They might have worked if the film's tensions had been established better, but as over the top (for a BBC film, that is) as those terror sequences are here, they are unsupported by the writing.
Too bad. I really wanted to like this more. This leaves me wanting to read the book. Apparently, Charlotte Bronte, who penned Jane Eyre, was inspired by the author of the novel upon which this movie is based.