Amy Foster (1997)

The film tells the story of Russian émigré, and the only survivor from ship crash Yanko Goorall, and servant Amy Foster in the end of nineteenth century. When Yanko enters a farm, sick and ... See full summary »

Director:

Beeban Kidron

Writers:

Joseph Conrad (short story "Amy Foster"), Tim Willocks

Stars:

Rachel Weisz, Vincent Perez, Ian McKellen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachel Weisz	...	Amy Foster
Vincent Perez	...	Yanko Gooral
Ian McKellen	...	Dr. James Kennedy
Kathy Bates	...	Miss Swaffer
Joss Ackland	...	Mr. Swaffer
Tony Haygarth	...	Mr. Smith
Fiona Victory	...	Mrs. Smith
Tom Bell	...	Isaac Foster
Zoë Wanamaker	...	Mary Foster
William Scott-Masson	...	Mr. Willcox (as William Scott Masson)
Eve Matheson	...	Mrs. Willcox
Dave Hill	...	Jack Vincent
Roger Ashton-Griffiths	...	Canon Van Stone (as J.G.R. Ashton-Griffiths)
Matthew Scurfield	...	Thackery
Margery Withers	...	Widow Cree

Storyline

The film tells the story of Russian émigré, and the only survivor from ship crash Yanko Goorall, and servant Amy Foster in the end of nineteenth century. When Yanko enters a farm, sick and hungry after the shipwreck, everyone is afraid of him, except for Amy, who is very kind and helps him. Soon he becomes like a son for Dr. James Kennedy and romance between Yanko and Amy follows.

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Plot Keywords:

19th century | bullying | immigrant | ship | servant | 

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Taglines:

In the heart of an outcast he found his destiny. In the passion of an outsider she found her home.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for elements of theme and some sensuality

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amy Foster

Filming Locations:

North York Moors Railway, Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$163,289, 25 January 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$283,081, 1 February 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, Tapson Steel Films Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A song, "To Love and be Loved", written by John Barry and Tim Rice and sung by Corina Brouder, was recorded too late to be included in this movie. However, it is on the soundtrack album.

User Reviews

Yanko is not Russian

Just a point of clarification regarding the summary for this film: Yanko is not Russian in this film. If you listen carefully to what he is actually saying in the movie, he is speaking Ukrainian. For example, in the scene later in the movie in which he is feverish, he keeps repeating a phrase over and over again. The phrase that he is saying is, "Dai meni vodi." In English translation, he is saying, "Give me some water." In addition, the immigration details of his circumstances and trip would fit with immigration from Ukraine or borderlands between Ukraine and Poland (although he is not speaking Polish) at the turn of the century. He plays chess, which would be consistent with Ukrainian heritage (among others). Finally, his clothing and the type of dance he does with his son is Ukrainian in style. The expansive arms and the gentleness with which he is dancing speaks more of a Ukrainian dance style than a Russian style. However, the most obvious and relevant point is that the language he is speaking in the film is Ukrainian, not Russian. Unfortunately, many people confuse Russian culture with Ukrainian and other East European peoples. IMDb probably should correct its description of this film for accuracy.