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:

I love, I have loved, I will love.

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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

Rose Byrne did all of her own piano playing.

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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

A delightful movie - well worth the time

I was enchanted by the cinematography, the actors and story. This is the way a movie should be made, with heart, humor and depth. A washed up and blocked writer for a father, an off the wall artistic step mother, a beautiful but pragmatic older sister and brainy little brother land in a picturesque but run down castle and scratch out a living while waiting for father's next great novel. Told from the point of view of a young girl coming of age, we see choices of survival, love and blunders of youth. From the very start of the movie I felt swept away by the story and acting. I wanted the story to go on........ 10 stars