LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET

UK, 2000, 95 minutes, Colour.
Neve Mc Intosh, Steven Mackintosh, Juliet Caton, Kenneth Cranham, Jamie Bamber, Melanie Clark Pullen.
Directed by Betsan Morris Evans.

This melodramatic film is based on a very popular, even notorious, novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835-1915). it was filmed several times in the silent era.

The setting is England, 1868, a country mansion where Lucy is governess to Sir Michael’s daughter, Alicia. Sir Michael proposes and Lucy accepts. There are various secrets including the fact that Lucy had been married to George Talboys who had gone to Australia for gold leaving behind his wife and newly born child. She arranged a deception to indicate that she and the child had died, leaving the child care of her father. When her husband returns, he receives the news that she has died but then discovers that she is alive, who she is, and he falls down a well as they clash, she leaving him. His friend, Robert, orphaned nephew of Sir Michael is attracted to Lucy but then decides to investigate her past.

There are complications with a loyal maid, her fickle fiance who discovers the secret and blackmails Lucy.

The story comes from the Gothic tradition of British novels and is set in Victorian times.

Neve McIntosh? (Gypsy Woman) is Lady Audley, Kenneth Cranham is quietly effectivene as Michael, Steven Macintosh rather conflicted as Robert.

1. The reputation of the novel? In the 19th century? Based on the author’s own experience? Intimations of stories like Jane Eyre?

2. Adaptation for the screen, for television, the British tradition of period films, costumes and decor, estates, houses and lands, interiors? Musical score?

3. The introduction to Lucy, as governess, with other servants, her role in Sir Michael’s household, with Alicia? Sir Michael and his proposal, her consideration, acceptance? The marriage? Her becoming the lady of the estate? Her relationship with Alicia? With Phoebe and the servants? Sir Michael and his devotion?

4. Robert, returning from Australia, the goldfields, his friendship with George? Searching the papers, the news of the death of George’s wife and child?

5. Robert, the intended married marriage to Alicia? His immediate attraction to Lucy? Her realising this, her disdain? With George, loyalty? His curiosity, probing, the information, following it through, the threats to Lucy? Going to see her father, finding out the truth? The revelation to Sir Michael? His health? Alicia and her reaction? The impact of the tour of the house, finding the portrait?

6. George, his reaction to Lucy, the discovery of the truth? The confrontation, the clash, falling down the well? The later information that he had survived, recovered, had found a new partner? His vindictive attitude towards Lucy? Robert, the shock of learning about George?

7. Phoebe, relationship with Luke, looking at the jewels, finding the baby shoe, Luke and his blackmailing Lucy, her payments, Robert observing this? Luke abandoning Phoebe, Phoebe and her helping Lucy?

8. Lucy, the opportunity to tell her story, her poverty, her mother in a mental institution, her father, the marriage, George abandoning her, the plan for her death and the child? The marriage, her devotion to Sir Michael?

9. Robert, antagonistic, his mixed motivation, the truth, rejected by Lucy? His relationship with Alicia, the engagement, putting it off? His continued investigations, going to Yorkshire, the information? Engaging the doctor, his stating that madness was not hereditary? But his disapproval of Lucy, saying she was not mad but dangerous in society? Her being taken to the French institution? Her feeling that she was imprisoned?

10. Alicia, compassion, taking the money, Lucy being freed?

11. Robert, pursuit, the railway station, Lucy dying her hair, Robert and his reading defeated?

12. The popular ingredients of Victorian melodrama?