Lorna Doone

This film essentially begins in 1673 with some outlaws led by a family called the Doones terrorizing the nearby English countryside. As it so happens, a young boy by the name of "John Ridd" (Peter Penrose) loses his father due to a raid by these bandits and swears vengeance upon them. Not long afterward, while fishing in a nearby creek, he falls in and almost drowns. Upon regaining consciousness, he sees a young girl named "Lorna Doone" (Alexis France) looking down upon him and quickly rushes him to safety before a mounted patrol of Doones come riding by. Never forgetting this kindness, as he grows up "John Ridd" (now played by John Loder) risks his life on several occasions to see "Lorna Doone" (now played by Victoria Hopper) and the two quickly fall in love. The problem, however, is that one of her distant cousins named "Carver Doone" (Roy Emerton) has his eyes set on Lorna as well--and he is quite intent on killing John Ridd the first chance he gets. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this film started off rather slowly at first but eventually developed into a nice little romantic-drama overall. Admittedly, it is quite dated--with one action scene in particular resembling something that one might have seen in a silent picture. Again, the film is quite dated. It's also very British. Be that as it may, although this movie might not appeal to all viewers, I suppose it passed the time well enough and I have rated it accordingly. Average.