I Capture the Castle (2003)

A love story set in 1930s England that follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, and the fortunes of her eccentric family, struggling to survive in a decaying English castle.

Director:

Tim Fywell

Writers:

Dodie Smith (novel), Heidi Thomas (screenplay)

Stars:

Romola Garai, Sophie Stuckey, Bill Nighy

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Romola Garai	...	Cassandra Mortmain
Sophie Stuckey	...	Cassandra - aged 7
Bill Nighy	...	James Mortmain
Helena Little	...	Mother
Florence Jones	...	Rose (aged 10)
Harrison Ward	...	Thomas (aged 4)
Rose Byrne	...	Rose Mortmain
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Topaz Mortmain
Joe Sowerbutts	...	Thomas
Henry Cavill	...	Stephen Colley
Henry Thomas	...	Simon Cotton
Marc Blucas	...	Neil Cotton
David Bamber	...	Vicar
James Faulkner	...	Aubrey Fox-Cotton
Sarah Woodward	...	Leda Fox-Cotton

Storyline

The film follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, and the fortunes of her eccentric family, struggling to survive in a decaying English castle. Her father is desperate to repeat the spectacular success of his first novel, but hasn't written a word for 12 years; her exquisite sister Rose can only rail against their fate, and their Bohemian step-mother Topaz is a nudist and no help at all. Salvation comes in the form of their American landlord Simon Cotton and his brother Neil. Although initially repelled by Simon, Rose is determined to make him fall in love with her and succeeds. A wedding is arranged and Cassandra is left on the sidelines as everyone around her is drawn into a maelstrom of interconnected relationships. But events spiral out of control, and before the summer ends she will experience frustrated desire, first love, and a broken heart.

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Plot Keywords:

castle | wedding | 1930s | bohemian | first love | 

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Taglines:

You can't choose who you fall in love with.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official soundtrack site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

Aihmaloti kardia

Filming Locations:

Turville, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$169,140 (Australia) (11 July 2003)

Gross:

$1,174,139 (USA) (26 September 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Isle of Man Film Commission, Isle of Man Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Manorbier Castle in Tenby, Wales, which was used for many of the shots of the Mortmain family's castle, had a moat that had not been used for many years. For the shots of Cassandra and Neil swimming in the moat, large amounts of clay were brought in to make the moat watertight. It was then filled from tankers of water brought from elsewhere, because the local water supply could not supply the large amount needed.

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Goofs

When Simon is drinking his tea in the first shot, he receives the cup with his right hand and then turns the handle to actually drink with his left. The handle switches back and forth in subsequent shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Cassandra: I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.

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Connections

References Pride and Prejudice (1995)

User Reviews

Best adaptation ever

The rights to this film were rescued from Disney. I dread to think what Disney would have done with the book. Thank goodness they never tried it!

This book was one of my favourites, so I went to see the film in fear and trepidation. I needn't have worried. It is a beautiful film in its own right. Nothing was overstated. The emotions and nuances were captured perfectly by some wonderful performances, without the need to spell everything out in black and white.

Please see this film. I haven't enjoyed anything so much in ages.