The Return of the Native (1994) (TV) was directed by Jack Gold. Many of us read Return of the Native in high school. That's because it's a great novel. Hallmark has given us a rendition that's faithful to the text.
The plot takes place on Egdon Heath, which--even in 1878--was still a wild and primitive location. The people who live there have not shed off their pagan past. Some still believe in witchcraft. In fact, Eustacia Vye (Catherine Zeta-Jones), is thought to be a witch by some of the locals. Not only is Zeta-Jones an excellent actor, but her exotic beauty is perfect for this part.
Clive Owen plays the seducer Damon Wildeve, Ray Stevenson plays the learned Clym Yeobright, who loses his vision so that he can't read. Chaire Skinner plays Thomasin, who is kind and gentle--everything that Eustacia isn't. Steven Mackintosh portrays Diggory Venn, an enigmatic reddleman. (Reddle is a red dye used to mark sheep.)
I think acting honors go to Dame Joan Plowright, as Clym Yeobright's mother. Dame Joan is perfectly cast as the mother who sees her son taking the wrong path, and is helpless to stop him.
This film will work better in a theater than on the small screen, even though it was made for TV. However, we saw it at home, on VHS, and it was still wonderful. When a classic novel is turned into an excellent movie, you don't want to miss it. Seek out this film and watch it. You won't be disappointed.
The plot takes place on Egdon Heath, which--even in 1878--was still a wild and primitive location. The people who live there have not shed off their pagan past. Some still believe in witchcraft. In fact, Eustacia Vye (Catherine Zeta-Jones), is thought to be a witch by some of the locals. Not only is Zeta-Jones an excellent actor, but her exotic beauty is perfect for this part.
Clive Owen plays the seducer Damon Wildeve, Ray Stevenson plays the learned Clym Yeobright, who loses his vision so that he can't read. Chaire Skinner plays Thomasin, who is kind and gentle--everything that Eustacia isn't. Steven Mackintosh portrays Diggory Venn, an enigmatic reddleman. (Reddle is a red dye used to mark sheep.)
I think acting honors go to Dame Joan Plowright, as Clym Yeobright's mother. Dame Joan is perfectly cast as the mother who sees her son taking the wrong path, and is helpless to stop him.
This film will work better in a theater than on the small screen, even though it was made for TV. However, we saw it at home, on VHS, and it was still wonderful. When a classic novel is turned into an excellent movie, you don't want to miss it. Seek out this film and watch it. You won't be disappointed.