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I Capture The Castle Details

2003 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 4532 members

British period piece romance film fans should rejoice over I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, a film that earns its emotional payoffs, and manages to avoid the many clever and cloying traps that befall many of its brethren. Based on the novel by Dodie Smith, the tale surrounds an artistic family living in 1930s England in a rundown castle, .. Read more

Starring Henry Thomas, Rose Byrne, Romola Garai, Bill Nighy
Director Tim Fywell
Genres Comedy, Romance

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I Capture The Castle cover art

I Capture The Castle

British period piece romance film fans should rejoice over I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, a film that earns its emotional payoffs, and manages to avoid the many clever and cloying traps that befall many of its brethren. Based on the novel by Dodie Smith, the tale surrounds an artistic family living in 1930s England in a rundown castle, waiting for their high-strung father to finish his next novel. Narrated by the 17-year-old daughter, Cassandra Mortmain (Romola Garai) who lives in the shadow of her older sister Rose (Rose Byrne), the film sweeps the viewer along on a believable mood of wistful longing, especially when two handsome brothers (Henry Thomas and Marc Blucas) come to visit the manor next door. Romance is in the air, but everyone soon finds themselves hopelessly ensnared in triangles of affection, and for all its victim's sweetness and good intentions, love is determined to run its own, contrary course.
Thanks to an intelligent but not overly dry script there are plenty of rich characterization and dialogue to go around; and the cast is excellent, with Garai--beautiful and quietly brilliant in her first major role--a standout. Dario Marianelli's score achieves moments of genuine greatness and adds immeasurably to the film's emotional impact. Anyone looking for that rare romantic film that has both heart and brains, realism and magic, humor and tragedy, all in the least treacly, most refreshing senses of the words, this is the CASTLE to keep.

Starring Henry Thomas, Rose Byrne, Romola Garai, Bill Nighy, Marc Blucas
Director Tim Fywell
Studio MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time DVD: 1 hr 48 mins
Certificate Certificate PG
Genres Comedy, Romance
Language DVD: English
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 03 Nov 2003
Production year: 2003
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of I Capture The Castle

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Although author Dodie Smith is best known for The Hundred and One Dalmatians, her book I Capture the Castle captivated many young imaginations. Faithfully adapted here, it makes a comforting drama that satisfies romantic yearnings for the past. Genteel poverty has never looked so enchanting, as the Mortmain family, headed by creatively blocked writer Bill Nighy, lead lives of bohemian chaos in a dilapidated castle. Events are recorded by the 17-year-old diarist Cassandra (Romola Garai), whose interest in the opposite sex is awakened when two American brothers (Henry Thomas and Marc Blucas) stumble across the Mortmains on their way to an inherited estate. Cassandra's rite-of-passage is a predictable affair and the 1930s period trappings are laid on a little too thickly, but this is a reassuringly solid and intelligent adaptation, beautifully photographed and expertly performed.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...The evident affection that the filmmakers bear toward Smith's novel, and toward the odd, spirited people who inhabit it, gives the film a modest, hardworking appeal..."

    • New York Times
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of I Capture The Castle

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  • 14 out of 16 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Enjoyable 1930's English Drama

    Really enjoyable story set when lifestyles were a lot less frantic than today. Its a comming of age story, a love story and just the kind of film you can get lost in, on a Sunday afternoon

      • A customer from London, England
      • Posted 12 Jan 2004 16:37

  • Most recent members' review of I Capture The Castle

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    BEWITCHING and beautiful

    We were completely captivated by the shy, sensitive and thoughtful story about the way that love's path never runs smoothly and cannot be steered or diverted. At the centre of this moving drama is Romola Garai's brilliant performance. Her character narrates the story and is so well acted that you fall for her instantly and almost beleive you understand the whole world through her eyes....beyond excellent!

      • Eleanor Creed-Miles from Wyre Piddle, Worcestershire
      • Posted 20 Nov 2004 14:48

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Rating breakdown

4,532 Member ratings
  • 100
325
  • 90
334
  • 80
725
  • 70
762
  • 60
894
  • 50
559
  • 40
382
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251
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205
  • 10
95

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      • British period piece romance film fans should rejoice over I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, a film that earns its emotional payoffs, and manages to avoid the many clever and cloying traps that befall many of ...