I Capture the Castle (film)
I Capture the Castle | |
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![]() Original UK quad format film poster | |
Directed by | Tim Fywell |
Screenplay by | Heidi Thomas |
Based on | I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith |
Produced by | David Parfitt[1] |
Starring | Romola Garai Rose Byrne Bill Nighy Henry Thomas Marc Blucas Tara Fitzgerald Henry Cavill Joe Sowerbutts |
Cinematography | Richard Greatrex |
Edited by | Roy Sharman |
Music by | Dario Marianelli |
Production companies | BBC Films Trademark Films |
Distributed by | Momentum Pictures (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 117 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Budget | $8 million |
Box office | $6,586,341 |
I Capture the Castle is a 2003 British film directed by Tim Fywell. It is based on the 1948 novel of the same title by Dodie Smith, with the screenplay written by Heidi Thomas. The film was released in the UK on 9 May 2003.
Romola Garai played the lead role of Cassandra Mortmain alongside Bill Nighy, Rose Byrne and Tara Fitzgerald.
Synopsis
The film follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, and her eccentric family, struggling to survive in genteel poverty in a decaying English castle. The characters include her father, a writer who hasn't written anything in the twelve years since the spectacular success of his first novel; her older sister Rose (Rose Byrne) who rails against their fate and hopes to marry for money; and their bohemian stepmother, Topaz, an ex-model still apt to sun-bathe in the nude. The possibility of salvation seems to loom in the form of their wealthy American landlord Simon Cotton and his brother Neil. Although Simon initially spurns her, Rose is determined to make him fall in love with her and succeeds. A wedding is arranged and Cassandra appears left on the sidelines. Cassandra is confused not only by her feelings for the Cottons but also for Stephen Colley (Henry Cavill). Stephen is the incredibly attractive son of the Mortmain’s former chef who acts as a handyman to the family and is deeply in love with Cassandra. But events spiral out of control, and before the summer ends many expectations will have been overturned.
Production
Parts of the film were shot in Laxey film studio on the Isle of Man. Manorbier Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales, supplied exteriors for the castle, and Eltham Palace in London some interiors.[1]
Main cast
- Romola Garai as Cassandra Mortmain
- Henry Thomas as Simon Cotton
- Rose Byrne as Rose Mortmain
- Bill Nighy as James Mortmain
- Tara Fitzgerald as Topaz Mortmain
- Marc Blucas as Neil Cotton
- Henry Cavill as Stephen Colley
- Sinéad Cusack as Elspeth Cotton
- Joe Sowerbutts as Thomas Mortmain
- James Faulkner as Aubrey Fox-Cotton
- Sarah Woodward as Leda Fox-Cotton
- David Bamber as the Vicar
- Helena Little as Mother
- Monica Woodley as fabulous party guest
Reception
Based on 81 reviews collected by the film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of critics gave I Capture the Castle a positive review, with an average rating of 6.7/10.[2]
References
- ^ a b In film credits.
- ^ "I Capture the Castle (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
External links
- 2003 films
- 2003 romantic comedy films
- BBC Film films
- British films
- British romantic comedy films
- 2003 directorial debut films
- Films about families
- Films about writers
- Films based on British novels
- Films directed by Tim Fywell
- Films produced by David Parfitt
- Films scored by Dario Marianelli
- Films set in the 1930s
- Films set in castles
- Films set in England
- Films shot in the Isle of Man
- Films shot in London
- Films shot in Pembrokeshire
- Films based on works by Dodie Smith