The Wyvern Mystery (2000) (TV)

Director:

Alex Pillai

Writers:

Sheridan Le Fanu (novel)
David Pirie (writer)

Release Date:

12 October 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

Some family secrets can kill.

Plot:

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...

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Tenant | Secret | Death | Estate

Cast

Naomi Watts	...	Alice Fairfield
Derek Jacobi	...	Squire Fairfield
James Doherty	...	Mick
Iain Glen	...	Charles Fairfield
Jack Davenport	...	Harry Fairfield
Aisling O'Sullivan	...	Vrau
Elaine Collins	...	Dulcie
Ellie Haddington	...	Mrs. Tarnley
Marston Bloom	...	Alice's father
Tim Preece	...	Jim
Raymond Sawyer	...	Doctor
John Peters	...	Reverend Cray
Anita Carey	...	Mrs. Carew
Ursula Holden Gill	...	Lily
Mark Hadfield	...	Tom

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

BBC Films

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.

Does It Matter If You Put Too Many Plot Points Into a Movie?

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.