A Hazard Of Hearts Movie
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720x540 | 1441.98 MiB | hidivx | |
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592x444 | 812.02 MiB | divx | |
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320x240 | 270.58 MiB | ipod | |
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320x240 | 295.46 MiB | hpc | |
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Compulsive gambler, Sir Giles Staverley is tricked into gambling away his home by his old adversary Lord Harry Wrotham. As Staverley is distraught and desperate, Wrotham gives him one last chance - he will gamble everything Staverley has lost against Staverley's daughter's hand in marriage and her trust fund of 80,000 guineas. Staverley agress and loses once again, but unable to face his daughter, Serena, he kills himself. Lord Justin Vulcan, a notoriously cold, clear headed gambler challenges Wrotham for the house and the girl and, much to Wrotham's disgust, wins. Justin now finds himself in possession of the house and Serena, but has no idea of what to do with them. After meeting Serena and realising that she is much younger and more beautiful than he had imagined, he installs her as a guest at Mandrake, his family home, despite the hatred of Justin's mother, Lady Harriet Vulcan. As Lady Vulcan attempts to marry Serena off to anyone except her son, Serena and Justin become friends and he teaches her about Mandrake, the home he loves. A crisis forces Serena and Justin to confront their feelings for each other. Can the course of true love run smooth for them?
| Diana Rigg | Lady Harriet Vulcan |
| Edward Fox | Lord Harry Wrotham |
| Helena Bonham Carter | Serena Staverley |
| Fiona Fullerton | Lady Isabel Gillingham |
| Neil Dickson | Nicholas |
| Christopher Plummer | Sir Giles Staverley |
| Stewart Granger | Old Vulcan |
| Anna Massey | Eudora |
| Eileen Atkins | Lady Harriet's Maid |
| Gareth Hunt | Joker |
| Marcus Gilbert | Lord Justin Vulcan |
| Robert Addie | Lord Peter Gillingham |
| James Gaddas | Lord John Burley |
| Christopher Villiers | Captain Jackson |
| Ben Aris | Lieutenant of Dragoons |
| John Hough |
6.50 out of 10 (225 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A Barbara Cartland romance
posted on 01 Jun 2009The strength of this film is the performance of Helena Bonham-Carter in an early role. The plot comes straight from a romance novel, and thus is only for those who enjoy tales of young women in desperate situations that they overcome through spunk and the unexpected love of a mysterious nobleman, but it's a fun and charming way to pass a couple of hours.
A wonderful movie you can't easily forget!
posted on 30 Jun 2008Years ago a friend introduced me to "A Hazard of Hearts" and I've been hooked ever since. Not only for Marcus Gilbert's beauty, though that doesn't hurt, but because it brings to life an era which seems more fantasy than the reality it once was. Never pass up the privilege of enjoying it's romance and mystique. If ever I'm fortunate enough to discover it again, I will be most pleased.
So trashy you can't rip your eyes away.
posted on 17 Jan 2008So there I was, laid up with the 'flu. I flick to the midday movie - oh, it's got Helena Bonham-Carter in it. Groovy. Little did I know that I was in for two hours of cliched corny crap that also proved extremely difficult to stop watching despite all my efforts. I swear, I tried so hard to stop! But it was just so (unintentionally) amusing!The cliches just kept on coming; the acting was terrible (apart from Bonham-Carter); the direction clumsy; the costumes and set design cheap. I know, it was made for television; but so was My Beautiful Laundrette.But what really made me frustrated was the hero - throughout the whole film, purportedly a romance-adventure, he always, every single time, kissed Helena on the forehead. Like she was a little girl. It killed me.Watch it for laughs, but don't expect anything else.
Good rollicking nonsense!
posted on 30 Jan 2006I love this movie and have done since I first saw it many years ago.The script is firmly buried in cliché and is in places laughable (She's about to have the vapours - I'll lay odds on it!) but that only adds to its charm.An impressive early performance from Helena Bonham-Carter as the spunky country-mouse, and a first look at Marcus Gilbert (phoaar) as the brooding-yet-misunderstood-and-hunky Lord Vulcan provides the energy of the movie, but the old guard (Diana Rigg, Stewart Granger, Anna Massey et al) provide the seasoning which makes this a most palatable effort.I have now seen this about a hundred times and can practically talk along with it, but it never gets old, never gets tired and the DVD will be my next purchase (I *shall* have it!).
I love to curl up with this movie (forget a book!)
posted on 08 Sep 2005I caught this movie when it first came out and it instantly became my favorite romance film. I was 12 then and I impatiently waited for it to come on TV again. I was fortunate enough to record it the second and third time that it re-appeared and I wish it was out on video for others to enjoy. It's not earth shattering, but cute, sweet and fun. Helena Bonham Carter is adorable and has spunk and Marcus Gilbert is a handsome devil that can make you melt down through the couch! This movie started me on Regency period novels and films (not to mention forever hunting down Marcus Gilbert film/TV appearances). If you have the chance, WATCH IT!! BUT REMEMBER: Do not take it too seriously or you will be doomed to disappointment! You can also find other TV movies from Barbara Cartland novels such as A Ghost In Monte Carlo (also w/Marcus Gilbert), Duel Of Hearts, and The Lady & The Highwayman (w/Hugh Grant). You might also enjoy The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Help!
posted on 19 Sep 2004I saw this movie when it aired in 1987 on the ABC network. I absolutely loved it. My mom taped it and I watched it everyday after school and all summer long, until... MY MOM TAPED OVER IT ACCIDENTALLY!!! I was absolutely devastated, and needless to say, my mom still has not lived it down. HELP! I have searched for this movie for 14 years, and am desperate to get a copy of it. Even if it has all the old commercials--any condition. Where can I find a copy? Please help me locate a copy of this most adorable movie. Thank you for any assistance you may lend to assist me.
Boy loses girl in card game, winner falls for girl.
posted on 24 Jul 2004Good typical Regency romance. Excellent scenery and some good actors in the movie. Costumes could have been a little better but over all I enjoyed it. Except I can't believe they cut the ending where the guy
never quite kisses the girl. Just an impression that he does it. Wish it was out on video
I'm glad you've found someone here to love at Mandrake. In your short time here, you've learned all our most guarded secrets.
posted on 24 Nov 2003I have seen this movie more times than any other. My mother taped it off television and my sisters and I would watch it every day after school. I recently watched it again after not having seen it for several years, and despite my expectations of disappointment, I loved it just as much as ever. The old commercials are a kick too (pre-bunny Energizer commercials - TOO RIGHT THE EXTRAORDINARY ENERGIZER IT'LL SURPRISE YA!)If you think, as I do, that Helena Bonham-Carter is one of the most charming faces and voices around, you will enjoy this young vision of her. And her eyebrows are more active here than anywhere else.
Where's my handy bodice-ripper?
posted on 30 Jun 2003This movie is such trash, but so totally unpretentious in its trashiness that one can't get too indignant at it. It's based on a Barbara Cartland novel - well, what more is there to say? I will carry with me forever some of the ridiculous lines and scenes from this movie, especially Edward Fox as a Regency villain, sitting on a horse and declaiming lustfully "I *shall* have her!" as he contemplates the winsome Helena Bonham-Carter. Just too funny for words; oh, MST3K, why were you taken from us before the greatest movie of them all came along?
Like a drug...
posted on 11 Nov 2002As stated above, once you start, you cant stop. this movie, once you've seen it, you'll want to see it again, and again, and again...!I saw it years ago and it proved to be unforgetable. even now, years later, i still remember the marvelous cliches and the beautiful blue eyed gaze of one Marcus Gilbert.Romance at its finest!!!
Romance story with luxurious and spectacular scenarios against British high class
posted on 18 Jun 1999Compulsive gambler Sir Giles(Christopher Plummer) has lost his money an estate playing against Lord Wrotham(Edward Fox) . He realises which he only has one thing , his gorgeous daughter Serena(Helena Bonham Carter). Giles stakes his daughter's hand in marriage to villain Lord. Sir Giles lost and he commits suicide himself. Then Lord Justin Vulcan(Marcus Gilbert) is witnessed the deeds and stakes Lord Wrotham to play dices. Justin wins and he now finding himself as owner of the Gilles's mansion and Serena.Lord Justin installs her as a guest at Mandrake palace with maid included(Anna Massey). Trouble is, he can not marry her, until she solves the secret issues contains the mansion.Unfortunately, she becomes a strange into the house and the ambitious Justin's mother , Lady Harriet Vulcan( a despicable Diana Rigg) has less than honorable intentions over Serena.This is a romance-drama plenty of suspense, intrigue, dark secrets,passion and plot-twists. It's an amusing movie and regency romance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail. Based on the romance novel with similar title by Barbara Catland. In fact belongs to quatrain movies directed by John Hough, with similar scenarios and style; same producer(Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade), musician(Laurie Johnson) and author(Barbara Catland), these are : 'A ghost of Montecarlo'(Lysette Anthony,Sarah Miles, Marcus Gilbert), 'The lady and the highway man'(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) and 'Duel of Hearts'(Alison Doody, Michael York).The motion picture is professionally directed by John Hough. He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , starting in TV movies(The protectors, Avengers), directing Hammer movies(Twins of evil), mediocre horror films(Howling IV, American Gothic), adventures(Island of treasure) and wholesome Disney family fare(Return and escape to witch mountain).Rating : Acceptable and passable, this television movie will like to romantic stories fans.
Tangerine empire-line dresses - wonderful!
posted on 02 Mar 1999This is an incredibly corny adaptation of a Barbara Cartland novel. Diana Rigg as the evil mother figure wears a variety of increasingly bizarre hats, Edward Fox bumbles his way through it in typical English aristocratic fashion and Stewart Granger turning up was a real plus! Helena Bonham-Carter looks more like a pug than ever in this, but it's the anachronistic costume colours which are the real highlight. Diana Rigg in a bright tangerine ensemble is an abiding image! For sheer trash value, Hazard of Hearts is worth a 10 out of 10.
Extraordinarily cheesy, classic gothic romance
posted on 21 Feb 1999Helena Bonham-Carter is such a divinely eloquent actress, she shines above such veterans as Christopher Plummer, Diana Rigg, Edward Fox and Stewart Granger (the latter so very underused).Plummer, Rigg and Fox are so horrifically over-the-top, you can only assume that the director was too intimidated by their previous credits to repress their cartoonish gleeful overacting.Cartland works with a formula that makes this a very standard gothic romance, but it's saved, in parts, by the charm of the two leads, the extraordinary Bonham-Carter and the still little-seen Marcus Gilbert.This also might not seem so infinitely cheesy if the predictable, derivative soundtrack didn't soar in so obviously.Still, the film is a must for Bonham-Carter fans, if only to confirm what an excellent, expressive talent she is. And, as previous commentators have noted, this is ideal rainy Sunday afternoon fare.
Hilariously Bad!!!!
posted on 15 Aug 2009I totally enjoyed this movie because it was terrible! The producers surely didn't mean for it to be a satire, but that's how it should be viewed. I must explain. I am a romance-addict. It all started when I was forced to read "Pride and Prejudice" in 9th grade English Lit. That was it. I was hooked and having devoured Austin, I moved on to her much less talented imitators, such as the author of this story, Barbara Cartland. This movie is a classic Regency plot. It has everything: a plucky Young Heroine, a gorgeous Rake with a Dark Secret, a Scheming Mama (who is also the Affronted Dowager), a Dissipated Lord who Loses Everything in a Foolish Wager, an Abduction, a Forced Marriage and even a Highwayman with a Heart of Gold. What a riot! The cast is great- Diana Rigg chews the scenery as she pacing menacingly in her be-feathered turbans. Helena Bonham Carter does the pouting consternation thing she at which she excelled in her Corset Days. The Hero is dressed with sartorial elegance in Biscuit-Colored Inexpressibles and Gleaming Hessians (his valet must have used champagne in the blacking!) The best-worst thing about the film is the score- the music is SO over-the-top! It really pushes the film from moderately bad to hilariously awful! I loved every minute of it! If you're a fan of costume romance and melodrama, watch this one for a good laugh at yourself!