Robert Louis Stevenson's St. Ives

Starring:Jean-Marc Barr, Miranda Richardson, Anna Friel, Richard E. Grant, Tim Dutton, CÃ©cile Pallas, Michael Gough, Jason Isaacs, Barney Craig, Desmond Barrit, Patrice Melennec, Adrian Scarborough, Chris McHallem, Gerry O'Brien, Enda Oates, Ger Carey, Anna-Marie Bisset, Eileen McCloskey, Alistair Findlay, Noel O'Donovan
Director: Harry Hook
Studio: Miramax
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Not to be confused with the Charles Bronson vehicle of the same name, St. Ives--All for Love when it debuted on the BBC--is based on St. Ives: Being the Adventures of a French Prisoner in England, by Robert Louis Stevenson. The irreverent tale revolves around the exploits of Captain Jacques St. Ives (Jean-Marc Barr from The Big Blue). In 1813 he's captured by the British and thrown in jail; things aren't all bad, however. While there, he meets the droll Miss Gilchrist (Miranda Richardson) and her lovely niece, Flora (Anna Friel), who take an interest in the prisoner. For Jacques and Flora, it's love at first sight--although Major Chevening (Richard E. Grant) had his eye on her first. Not long afterward, Jacques escapes and makes an enemy out of his long lost brother Alain (Jason Isaacs), who's been living in Scotland and looking to take over the family fortune upon the death of their grandfather (Michael Gough, Alfred from the Batman series); Jacques thought Alain had been killed with their parents during the French Revolution. The escaped prisoner represents a threat to his brother and to the major, and things can only get worse for him... or can they? St. Ives looks and feels much like a Masterpiece Theatre production, but with a more humorous bent (as well as a little nudity). Sometimes the humor works (mostly when Richardson and Grant are on the screen), sometimes not (Barr is less consistent), but it's rarely as stuffy as most other literary adaptations. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Starring screen favorite Miranda Richardson (SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE CRYING GAME) Robert Louis Stevenson's ST. IVES is a witty, romantic comedy in the spirited style of EMMA and AN IDEAL HUSBAND. During the Napoleonic Wars, a handsome French officer, Captain Jacques St. Ives (Jean-Marc Barr -- DANCER IN THE DARK), is captured in battle and brought to a prisoner of war camp in Scotland. Once there, adventure and daring await when he meets and falls in love with a beautiful local woman (Anna Friel -- ROGUE TRADER), befriends the prison camp's British Major (Richard E. Grant -- SPICE WORLD), and discovers his long-lost grandfather living just down the road

Customer Reviews:

hilarious--wonderfully done!.......2007-04-02

I rarely write reviews, but this one does not have enough! =) I don't know why I'd never heard of this movie before, but it is a classic. FYI: there is male frontal nudity, and a topless woman scene, but it's very European-like and matter-of-fact. Probably not appropriate for kids, though.

My husband and I can't remember the last time we laughed so hard!
5 stars

Terrific Napoleonic Era Romp.......2005-08-09

What a fun movie St. Ives is. It reminds me of the type of film made during the 40's. Classic story, rounded off by characters and a plot that is neither over dramatic nor overtly complicated. In fact it isn't over anything. Robert Lewis Stevenson's story - here adapted for the screen - reads like Jane Austen for men. We do get a tale that has a romance at its heart, but there is plenty of fun too: battle scenes (sort of), prison escapes, mistaken identities, swordplay, and the funniest line I've heard in years: "Only in Scotland would guests be announced by name at a masked ball." There is much hilarity, hardship, and not a little heartbreak as St. Ives tries to fight and find his way back to a family and life he barely knew.

The cast is absolutely stellar with the too infrequently seen Jean Marc Barr absolutely perfect in the title role. Anna Friel is a refreshing delight as the resourceful Flora and Miranda Richardson nearly walks away with the movie as her worldly, seen-it-all Aunt Susan. Richard Grant provides comic relief of the highest order.

This is not going to be the greatest movie anyone has ever seen, but it's charms are undeniable and the entire film fairly bristles with an energy that bursts with life.

p.

Okay I guess.......2004-12-13

This movie was pretty slow moving to me. There were Some moments where it might have been funny but they tried too hard to make it funny. This movie could have been way better. So take my advice do not buy this movie if you want to see it rent it.

A delightful and charming little film..........2004-06-17

I saw this movie in a hotel in Inverary, Scotland and it took me three years to finally figure out what it actually was called. I never forgot it and when I saw a preview on another movie I have, I immediatly ordered it.

St. Ives is an utterly delicious romp. It is charming, funny, and romantic, with momemtary lapses in humour that so many comedies these days seem to lack. It follows the adventures of Jaques St. Ives (played with great skill by Jean-Marc Barr) one of Napolean's hussars. St. Ives, after contriving to get himself demoted in order to escape a number of duels inadvertanly tumbles into a camp of British soldiers and ends up in Scotland as a prisoner of war. There he meets charming Miss Flora and her wordly aunt (Anna Friel and Miranda Richardson) and comes across the uptight Major, played with hilarious British prudishness by Richard E Grant. After a daring escape, a run in with his long lost brother, and a balloon ride, everything settles nicely down to a very happy, sweet ending.

The film is perfectly cast. Jean-Marc Barr traipses through it with suave French heroicism, and Miranda Richardson sparkles as an interesting combination of proper British lady and worldly adventureous. Anna Friel is fresh faced and innocent, her laugh is infectous and Richard E. Grant kept me laughing. Jason Iasacs is also notable as St. Ives' brother.

It is a vividly shot film, with the colours bright and pure, and the soundtrack bounces along in perfect accordance to the light, humourous feel of the movie. In essense, this movie is a miniature feast for the eyes, and the heart.

Fine Words Butter No Parsnips.......2004-04-26

First of all, to be fair to this little film, I got my movies mixed up and was expecting Bogdanovich's Saint Jack with Ben Gazarra (still easy on the eyes). This mishap may color my review, but you be the judge: this is a nice little movie that could have been a little faster paced for the very likable comedy that drives the script. This is a classic picaresque story with a lot of potential for irony. It is just a little too sentimental in parts and the music kind of dampers it. The cast is good - how can they not be good - they are English. Miranda Richardson and Richard E. Grant have wonderful chemistry together. Jean-Marc Barr is very good, but he is just a little too subtle and sweet. Still, there are some funny lines, like a line about fine words and a comment about articulating a phrase carefully. The costumes and scenery are lovely if sparce. There are worse ways of spending 90 minutes watching movies. It kept a talented crew and cast of actors employed. Stay tuned for a review of the film I thought I was getting.

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