I Capture the Castle (2003)

Director:

Tim Fywell

Writers:

Dodie Smith (novel)
Heidi Thomas (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 May 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

I love, I have loved, I will love.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Writer's Block | Historical | Narration | Bohemian | Castle

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Marc Blucas	...	Neil Cotton
Rose Byrne	...	Rose Mortmain
Sinéad Cusack	...	Mrs. Cotton (as Sinead Cusack)
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Topaz Mortmain
Romola Garai	...	Cassandra Mortmain
Bill Nighy	...	James Mortmain
Henry Thomas	...	Simon Cotton
David Bamber	...	Vicar
Henry Cavill	...	Stephen Colley
James Faulkner	...	Aubrey Fox-Cotton
Sarah Woodward	...	Leda Fox-Cotton
Helena Little	...	Mother
Florence Jones	...	Rose (aged 10)
Harrison Ward	...	Thomas (aged 4)
Joe Sowerbutts	...	Thomas

MPAA:

Rated R for brief nudity.

Runtime:

113 min | USA:111 min (Palm Springs International Film Festival)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-11 | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Alberta/Ontario) | Canada:G (British Columbia) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | New Zealand:PG | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | UK:PG | USA:R | Mexico:C

Filming Locations:

Eltham Palace, Court Road, Eltham, London, England, UK

Company:

50 Cannon Entertainment

Trivia:

Rose Byrne did all of her own piano playing.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Rose sends Cassandra a bottle of what appears to be Penhaligon's Bluebell perfume for her 18th birthday. According to the Penhaligon's website, the Bluebell perfume was first manufactured in 1978, whereas the film takes place around the early 1940s.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

References "Pride and Prejudice" (1995) (mini)

Dispiriting for a lover of the book

Whenever there is a movie made from a book, there are bound to be shortcuts taken, characters combined or eliminated, adaptations made to make it suitable in size and scope -- but the overall tone should adhere, as best it can, to the source material. On this count, this movie fails miserably. The humor and wit of the book are entirely lacking in this dull melodrama

Romola Garai was well-cast as Cassandra and I'm certain she would have been better (lighter, more witty, less leaden) if she would have had better material. All others were pretty far off the mark, especially Tara Fitzgerald as Topaz and Marc Blucas as Neil. The latter is so wooden and his line readings so flat, I ducked my head in embarrassment for him whenever he opened his mouth to speak. Bill Nighy, so wonderful in other things, was also a grave miscast. None of the bluster and rather humorous pomposity of the character come through in his portrayal -- only neuroses, anger, and self-pity.

Perhaps this wouldn't be such a terrible movie to those unfamiliar with the book. However, if you loved the book I can't see how this film can be anything but

disappointing. The filmmakers who made "Cold Comfort Farm" should have done this one. It required that same light and loving touch. You won't find that here.