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Firelight

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
Firelight (1997)
  • Drama
  • Romance
In 1838, lovely governess Elisabeth agrees to bear a child of anonymous English landowner, and he will in return pay her father's debt. At birth she, as agreed, gives up the child. Seven yea... Read allIn 1838, lovely governess Elisabeth agrees to bear a child of anonymous English landowner, and he will in return pay her father's debt. At birth she, as agreed, gives up the child. Seven years later she is hired as governess to a girl on a remote Sussex estate. The father of the ... Read allIn 1838, lovely governess Elisabeth agrees to bear a child of anonymous English landowner, and he will in return pay her father's debt. At birth she, as agreed, gives up the child. Seven years later she is hired as governess to a girl on a remote Sussex estate. The father of the girl, Charles Godwin, turns out to be that anonymous landowner. So Elisabeth has to be her... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William Nicholson
  • Writer
    • William Nicholson
  • Stars
    • Sophie Marceau
    • Stephen Dillane
    • Dominique Belcourt
Top credits
  • Director
    • William Nicholson
  • Writer
    • William Nicholson
  • Stars
    • Sophie Marceau
    • Stephen Dillane
    • Dominique Belcourt
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 72User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Photos39

    Sophie Marceau and Stephen Dillane in Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Quad
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)
    Firelight (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sophie Marceau
    Sophie Marceau
    • Elisabeth Laurier
    Stephen Dillane
    Stephen Dillane
    • Charles Godwin
    Dominique Belcourt
    Dominique Belcourt
    • Louisa Godwin
    Kevin Anderson
    Kevin Anderson
    • John Taylor
    Lia Williams
    Lia Williams
    • Constance
    Joss Ackland
    Joss Ackland
    • Lord Clare
    Sally Dexter
    • Molly Holland
    Emma Amos
    Emma Amos
    • Ellen
    Maggie McCarthy
    Maggie McCarthy
    • Mrs. Jago
    Wolf Kahler
    Wolf Kahler
    • Sussman
    Annabel Giles
    Annabel Giles
    • Amy Godwin
    John Flanagan
    • Robert Ames
    Valerie Minifie
    • Hannah
    Diana Payan
    • Mrs. Maidment
    John Hodgkinson
    • Carlo
    Anthony Dutton
    • Dodds
    Hugh Walters
    Hugh Walters
    • Dr. Geddes
    Peter Needham
    • Rector
    • Director
      • William Nicholson
    • Writer
      • William Nicholson
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Though he had been in the film industry as a scriptwriter for many years, this was William Nicholson's first directed film.
    • Goofs
      At least two young men are shown in the South of England in the 1830s with long hair tied back in a queue, a style unknown in that time and place.
    • Quotes

      Elisabeth: Do you know about Firelight?

      Louisa: What about it?

      Elisabeth: It's a kind of magic. Firelight makes time stand still. When you put out the lamps and sit in the firelight's glow there aren't any rules any more.

      [blows out lamp]

      Elisabeth: You can do what you want, say what you want, be what you want, and when the lamps are lit again, time starts again, and everything you said or did is forgotten. More than forgotten it never happened.

    User reviews72

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A memorable masterpiece.
    The title led me to expect "Firelight" would be a "chick flick", yet the inclusion of the beautiful Sophie Marceau made viewing imperative. The astonishing credibility of the actors' performances was aided by an impeccable script coupled with masterful direction. Add to that award-winning cinematography and achingly beautiful music reminiscent of gypsy violins and the result is an extremely moving love story. How this film came to be ignored by the US public is one of the great mysteries of our time.

    Every word, every sigh, every gesture and every scene appears uncontrived yet at the same time is testament to breathtaking genius. If only director William Nicholson would bring his ensemble together again for more of the same! Just thinking about "Firelight" brings tears to my eyes. No other movie has had such an effect on me.

    File this one under "U" for "Unforgettable" in the illustrated dictionary.
    helpful•48
    2
    • bwilshire
    • Sep 26, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 4, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • A la luz del fuego
    • Filming locations
      • Calvados, France
    • Production companies
      • Carnival Film & Television
      • Hollywood Pictures
      • Wind Dancer Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $785,482
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $135,401
      • Sep 7, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $785,482
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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