I'm sure enough has been said about this rendition of the classic novel, so I'll just add a few of my own thoughts.
I loved the costumes, (I love any costumes from the 17th to 19th centuries, with some exceptions here and there), though the accents sure needed work! This was also the first time I've seen Barbara Hale in any role other than Della Street, and while I won't fault her acting, to me, she came across as too sophisticated to play Lorna Doone. I can picture Audrey Hepburn, but that's just my opinion.
Anyway: what I found outstanding was the waterfall scenes, first when the boy faces them bravely, then when he's a grown man, in a fight to the finish with his enemy/rival. That last scene put me in mind of the famous Holmes/Moriarity battle at the Reichenbach Falls.
Also, the wedding scene in the church (supposedly based on a real-life occurrence, according to the author of the book) was reminiscent of the one in the movie "Smilin Through". Was this movie inspired by those other sources, that in their turn were inspired by the book? Worth thinking about!
Don't expect Classic Hollywood at its best, but it's a pretty good movie to watch.
I loved the costumes, (I love any costumes from the 17th to 19th centuries, with some exceptions here and there), though the accents sure needed work! This was also the first time I've seen Barbara Hale in any role other than Della Street, and while I won't fault her acting, to me, she came across as too sophisticated to play Lorna Doone. I can picture Audrey Hepburn, but that's just my opinion.
Anyway: what I found outstanding was the waterfall scenes, first when the boy faces them bravely, then when he's a grown man, in a fight to the finish with his enemy/rival. That last scene put me in mind of the famous Holmes/Moriarity battle at the Reichenbach Falls.
Also, the wedding scene in the church (supposedly based on a real-life occurrence, according to the author of the book) was reminiscent of the one in the movie "Smilin Through". Was this movie inspired by those other sources, that in their turn were inspired by the book? Worth thinking about!
Don't expect Classic Hollywood at its best, but it's a pretty good movie to watch.