Rating: 
Summary: Excellent...treat yourself to a little fun and romance....
Review: I bought this film on a whim and will watch it more than once. The DVD version has been digitally mastered and is very beautiful--the blues and reds of the English and French uniforms, the greens of the countryside, the stunning blue of the hot air baloon, the white sand of the coast. Robert Louis Stevenson, a 19th Century English writer whose illustrious compatriots include Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Jane Eyre wrote ST IVES--the book the film is based upon. This tale is somewhat reminiscent of a Jane Austen story with its lover's angst, but it lacks Austen's irony and amazing plot twists. Also, Janie did not include the blood and guts and sex depicted on the screen in ST IVES--but did Robinson? In some ways, ST IVES is more akin to the French tales of the Ancien regime (VALMONT) than the English tales of the Regency period, but unlike the French stories, this tale is relatively upbeat (there are some deaths). Perhaps one might liken ST IVES to the Scarlet Pimpernel but the hero is a real Frenchman, not an English Aristocrat posing as one. St Ives is also fighting for Napoleon when he isn't dueling "wanabees" or chasing pretty women. One day, St Ives finds himself an English prisoner-of-war after back-slapping pal (his second at his numerous duels) unwittingly causes him to slide down an embankment into the waiting arms of British soldiers. St Ives captors transport him to Scotland, where he is placed under the watchful eye and lock and key of Major Chevening who is a bit resentful of having been kept out of the fracas on the continent. Chevening has been ineffectively courting the delicious Flora, niece of Miss Gilcrist. In an amazing turn of events, Miss Gilchrist (who is extemely worldly) and St. Ives are soon both coaching Major Chevening concerning his courting strategies. ST IVES is a hero, not the place with kits, cats, sacks and wives as I thought all these years, and the gentleman's name is pronounced "Santeff". Miranda Richardson is wonderful as Miss Gilcrist (she is related to the Redgraves and Natasha). Richard Grant is oh so funny as Major Chevening, and he and Miss Gilcrist have some very amusing scenes together. I had not heard of the two younger actors who play St Ives and his love interest, but they are also very good. The plotline of ST IVES is not as well developed as Austen's story PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, if it were it would be as well known, but it is as well developed as NORTHANGER ABBY. The characters are two-dimensional, but real enough that one cares what happens to them. The film's strengths include moments of sadness, humor, and above all lots of love-making.
Rating:
Summary: The best British period drama ever!
Review: I saw this film, when it was first shown on British television and I just loved it. Having already been a big fan of the gorgeous Jean Marc Barr, star of the 1988 movie The Big Blue, I was intrigued to find the fanastic Frenchman playing the title role of St.Ives, a captain of the french army captured by the British in the Napoleonic wars. Starring a cast of the best actors Britain has to offer - Miranda Richardson (Blackadder), Richard E Grant (Withnail & I) and Anna Friel (Mad Cows) just to name a few, a witty and occasionally hillarious script, and a passionate and heart-warming love story, how could anyone not be entertained by this film. If you thought all British period dramas were stuffy affairs, all breetches and corsets, think again. St. Ives has everything from duelling brothers to an English Channel crossing hot-air balloon flight. A film that has a little bit of everything for the whole family to enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth the viewing
Review: The first time I viewed this delightful video was on a whim. What a wonderful time I had! This film stands up to multiple viewings thanks to the witty screenplay, rich cinematography and wonderful casting in all roles -- the heroes are flawed, the villains are delicious, and the women are intelligent and gutsy. Both men and women will enjoy this movie. It's a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine Words Butter No Parsnips
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: What a delight!
Review: I saw this DVD on a video store rental and couldn't wait to own it for myself. There's humor, romance, and adventure ... all in a refreshing and unusual mix. The film is full of surprises and delights. Treat yourself!
Rating:
Summary: What a fun, exciting love story courtesy of Stevenson
Review: I didn't know about this movie until I saw it in a video store and being a fan of literature adaptations, I rented it. I was so pleasantly surprised to find it to be a fun, exciting romp with lots of great performances. I waited for it to come out on video for sale and when it did I snapped it up. I suggest everyone do the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Too silly
Review: Among the few things this flick has going for it are pretty filming locales, lush costumes, warm saturated colors, and golden summer afternoon light. A romp it is, but one that provides neither enough comic relief to be sufficiently entertaining, nor (lighthearted) substance to be engaging or even remotely memorable. "St. Ives" is buffoonery galore. Hints of period piece parody and sprinkles of mild witticisms simply aren't enough to elevate the movie above plain silliness. It isn't an absolute bore per se but too incomplete and predictable to be valued and enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing
Review: I first rented this video on a whim, being the literary nut I am. I found it very refreshing, with its blend of romance, adventure, and sheer naughtiness...and all combined and presented quite gracefully. Excellent characters, superb scenery and cinematography, and, of course, thanks to Mr. Stevenson, an excellent plot. Too bad more movies could not be more tastefully engaging and enlightening.
Rating:
Summary: A great story, and Jason Isaacs to boot!
Review: This movie is a textbook example of building a taut story through emotional conflict and fast-paced action. At every turn the hero is faced with some new challenge that makes accomplishing his goal just a little more difficult. Along the way, he displays such charm, nobility, and courage you can't help but fall in love with him. This is a hero you would follow from bedroom to battlefield, palace to prison. This story, and the overwhelming conflict, keeps the reader interested because Stevenson's protagonist has strong emotional appeal. You find yourself rooting for St. Ives at every turn, groaning when he is captured, gasping when someone he trusts turns on him. The actors are well cast, especially the delicious Jason Isaacs (Colonel Tavington in The Patriot) as the villain. The humor is tongue-in-cheek. A sure hit!
Rating:
Summary: Fun Adventure, Romance
Review: Terrific! A great blend of humor, adventure (sword fights and such), and romance, with some breathtaking scenery (shot in Ireland, France, Germany...). Nice to see women who don't shirk adventure and who are willing to take risks, and dashing men who see and want to see good in others despite their loyalties. Always something around the corner to keep the pace moving, all together very RLS.
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