capercaillie

I heard about this version several years ago but never got a chance to see it until recently. It has been raining here steadily for the past three weeks and this film made the day seem inexplicably sunny. Wow! What a wonderful cast and what fabulous direction! At every turn, I found myself understanding a phrase or word that I had hitherto (how articulate, young neophyte!) not understood.

Robert Lindsay and Cherie Lunghi are simply wonderful. The chapel scene is simply breath-taking. When Benedick professes his love for Beatrice, I swear my heart skips. And then we are treated to her response - Ms. Lunghi speaks volumes with her delivery of "Ah!". I also think Mr. Lindsay does a great job with his "bird's nest" speech to the Duke.

Katharine Levy does a particularly good job with the (usually) boring part of Hero. There was wonderful chemistry between her Hero and Lunghi's Beatrice. It made Beatrice's despair in the chapel scene so much more believable.

The entire piece from start to finish is flawless. I loved all the little things happening between characters in the background - a bump here, a nudge there. I find something new each time (and it has been several now) that I watch it.

Great job! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I have been searching for this film for years. My husband and I saw it 20 years ago at the Seattle Film Festival. We both agreed that it was the best film we had ever seen. We still talk about it and I would love to locate a copy to buy for him.

The film tells the story of the effect of war on two families. There are several scenes which are heart-breakingly beautiful, as they depict the depths of forgiveness and hope which the human spirit can reach. The cinematography is reminiscent of a David Lean film; in fact, we went to see this film because a reviewer called it "an Oriental Doctor Zhivago".

If you get a chance to see it, go for it.