A HAZARD OF HEARTS

UK, 1987, 89 minutes, Colour.
Diana Rigg, Edward Fox, Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Plummer, Stewart Granger.
Directed by John Hough.

A Hazard of Hearts is a lavish period English film with the courage of its convictions. It is in the Gainsborough '40s tradition (the costume dramas with James Mason, Stewart Granger, Margaret Lockwood, Phyllis Calvert). The film has the Gainsborough emblem at its start.

However, this is a movie based on a novel by Barbara Cartland - and has all the popular ingredients of this kind of historical romance (cliches, melodrama and all). It was directed by John Hough, better known for his horror and action films (Twins of Evil, The Legend of Hell House and the Disney Watcher in the Woods).

The film is beautifully photographed on English locations, countryside and mansions. Costumes and decor could be called gorgeous. The film has a very strong cast led by Diana Rigg, trying to be the British Bette Davis. Edward Fox is the villain. His behaviour is dastardly, though the word, surprisingly, is not used. Helena Bonham Carter is the heroine and there is a strong supporting cast including Eileen Atkins, Christopher Plummer, Anna Massey.

For those who enjoy this kind of story, it will probably be superlative. For those slightly sceptical, they will be amazed at their having to suspend so much disbelief as the film rolls on, capitalising on its conventions.

1.Entertaining period melodrama? Britain and its traditions? The British film traditions of melodrama? The film with the courage of its convictions?

2.The location photography, the mansions, the countryside, the city? The coast? Costumes and decor and their lavish style? The lush musical score?

3.The title, the focus on Serena and Justin?

4.Serena, at home, her wealth and poverty, her father and his gambling, the loss of his property, the loss of his life? The hostility towards Lord Rutham? Her being in his power? Rescued by Justin? The devotion of her maid? Travelling to Justin's home, the clash with his mother? In the house, her suspicions of Justin? Lord Rutham and his attentions? The gambling and his winning, his abduction and her escape? The finding of the older Lord Vulcan and friendship with him? Dominated by Harriet? The gamblers, the potential marriages? The smugglers and her discovery of the truth? Sinister behaviour in the house? Discovering the truth about Justin? The duel, her hurrying to London? The clash with Harriet? The happy ending and her becoming the lady of the house after being despised for her poverty? The heroine of this kind of period melodrama?

5.Justin, his brooding presence, the gambling, the clash with Lord Rutham? Serena's father's death? His friends, going to visit Serena, attracted by her? His aloof behaviour? The gradual unmasking and audiences seeing him to be the hero? His relationship with his father and preserving his name? The dominance of his mother and her snobbery? His knowledge of the smuggling? The confrontation with his mother? Lord Rutham, the abduction, the duel? Serena hurrying to him? His love for her? The young woman wanting to marry him? His decision to marry Serena? The brooding, smouldering hero of this kind of melodrama?

6.Diana Rigg as Harriet, the grand dame manner, her snobbery, dominance of her son, running of the household, her attitude towards Serena, putting her in the attic, commenting on her? Her lifestyle, costumes, wealth? Lord Vulcan and his absence? The gambling? The clientele? The smugglers and her haughty behaviour? Whipping them, deaths? Her deal with Lord Rutham? The confrontation with Justin, his losing patience, his control over her? The confrontation with the smugglers, the police? Her losing? The villainess of this kind of melodrama?

7.Lord Rutham, dastardly, scowling, the gambling with Serena's father, his cruelty, losing to Justin? The pursuit of Serena? Coming to the home, his alliance with Harriet? The deal? The abduction? The duel and his cowardly behaviour? His return, the confrontation with Harriet, the swordfight with Justin, his death? Typical villain?

8.Serena's father, love for his daughter, compulsive gambling, the warnings, Lord Rutham, his motivations, the tension of the gambling, his losses? Justin winning from Lord Rutham - too late and his killing himself?

9.Nicholas, his love for Serena, his love for the other woman and her infatuation for Justin, their presence in the household, helping Serena, the woman and her love for the strong men, wanting to be bullied, her love for Justin with his ignoring her? Nicholas and his violent outburst - and her cliched but humorously melodramatic succumbing to him?

10.The maid, her devotion to Serena, going to the new house, her sense of premonitions, Harriet's attempt to kill Serena and the maid's death?

11.Harriet's maid, her control of the household, with the smugglers?

12.The world of English aristocracy, their wealth, morality, gambling? Arranged marriages?

13.The smugglers, the goods from France, Harriet and her control, their reactions against her, the violence and the fighting? The police and their investigations?

14.The highwayman, his poverty, helping Serena, returning her home?

15.The popularity of this kind of paperback lavish telemovie? And the enthusiasm and strength given it by the production values and the performances of the cast?