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Visitors Review

Rosabel 2013-05-13 00:09:23

Where's my handy bodice-ripper?

This movie is such trash, but so totally unpretentious in its trashinessthat one can't get too indignant at it. It's based on a Barbara Cartlandnovel - well, what more is there to say? I will carry with me foreversomeof the ridiculous lines and scenes from this movie, especially Edward Foxasa Regency villain, sitting on a horse and declaiming lustfully "I *shall*have her!" as he contemplates the winsome Helena Bonham-Carter. Just toofunny for words; oh, MST3K, why were you taken from us before the greatestmovie of them all came along?

Miss-Cellaneous 2013-04-25 00:14:17

A wonderful movie you can't easily forget!

Years ago a friend introduced me to "A Hazard of Hearts" and I'vebeenhooked ever since. Not only for Marcus Gilbert's beauty, though thatdoesn't hurt, but because it brings to life an era which seems morefantasythan the reality it once was. Never pass up the privilege of enjoyingit'sromance and mystique. If ever I'm fortunate enough to discover it again,Iwill be most pleased.

2013-04-24 10:59:05

Help!

I saw this movie when it aired in 1987 on the ABC network. I absolutelyloved it. My mom taped it and I watched it everyday after school and allsummer long, until... MY MOM TAPED OVER IT ACCIDENTALLY!!! I wasabsolutely devastated, and needless to say, my mom still has not lived itdown. HELP! I have searched for this movie for 14 years, and amdesperateto get a copy of it. Even if it has all the old commercials--anycondition.Where can I find a copy? Please help me locate a copy of this mostadorable movie. Thank you for any assistance you may lend to assistme.

ma-cortes 2013-04-03 08:52:30

Romance story with luxurious and spectacular scenarios against British high class

Compulsive gambler Sir Giles(Christopher Plummer) has lost his money anestate playing against Lord Wrotham(Edward Fox) . He realises which heonly has one thing , his gorgeous daughter Serena(Helena BonhamCarter). Giles stakes his daughter's hand in marriage to villain Lord.Sir Giles lost and he commits suicide himself. Then Lord JustinVulcan(Marcus Gilbert) is witnessed the deeds and stakes Lord Wrothamto play dices. Justin wins and he now finding himself as owner of theGilles's mansion and Serena.Lord Justin installs her as a guest atMandrake palace with maid included(Anna Massey). Trouble is, he can notmarry her, until she solves the secret issues contains themansion.Unfortunately, she becomes a strange into the house and theambitious Justin's mother , Lady Harriet Vulcan( a despicable DianaRigg) has less than honorable intentions over Serena.This is a romance-drama plenty of suspense, intrigue, darksecrets,passion and plot-twists. It's an amusing movie and regencyromance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail. Based onthe romance novel with similar title by Barbara Catland. In factbelongs to quatrain movies directed by John Hough, with similarscenarios and style; same producer(Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade),musician(Laurie Johnson) and author(Barbara Catland), these are : 'Aghost of Montecarlo'(Lysette Anthony,Sarah Miles, Marcus Gilbert), 'Thelady and the highway man'(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) and 'Duel ofHearts'(Alison Doody, Michael York).The motion picture is professionally directed by John Hough. He has aneclectic and long filmmaker career , starting in TV movies(Theprotectors, Avengers), directing Hammer movies(Twins of evil), mediocrehorror films(Howling IV, American Gothic), adventures(Island oftreasure) and wholesome Disney family fare(Return and escape to witchmountain).Rating : Acceptable and passable, this television movie willlike to romantic stories fans.

lia00027 2013-04-02 21:46:26

The Best Of Barbara Cartland's Novel Adaptation So Far

The story is charming indeed as always as any of Barbara Cartlannovels, love between aristocrat with romantic intrigue. However evenusually Barbara wrote good novel still it depend on the actors' work topresent the real feelings of each characters.I definitely agree that a couple in this movie is incredibly perfect,Helena Bonham Carter and Marcus Gilber showed a very much growingaffection between them. Helena is wonderful portrayed her character asa strong girl who had principal with a strong heart to live in thatkind society. While Marcus was terrifically charmed and showed hischaracter really well as any of Barbara novel hero described. All othercast were doing terrific job portrayed their characters as described inthe novel. Marcus also acted in other Barbara Cartlan' adaptation novel"A GHOST IN MONTE CARLO" (worth watching also).The story of all Barbara novel always happy ending including the film.The movie ended with a wedding scene between Justin and Serena andthat's all that matter for a romantic film viewer like me not to forgetthe creative modest background music that felt matching the movie verywell.

AragornsQueen 2013-03-18 16:54:31

Like a drug...

As stated above, once you start, you cant stop. this movie, once you'veseen it, you'll want to see it again, and again, and again...!I saw it years ago and it proved to be unforgetable. even now, yearslater,i still remember the marvelous cliches and the beautiful blue eyed gaze ofone Marcus Gilbert.Romance at its finest!!!

2013-03-18 05:37:24

A Hazard Of Hearts - Highly under-acclaimed Romance 1st Class

After viewing this movie for the first time I could not understand why I had not heard of it before. The acting was extremely good. The leading man and leading lady were extremely good looking. Where are they now? The plot was interesting as well as exciting. Boy! that Marcus Gilbert, talk about a leading man for Romantic movies. I think the actors in Pride and Prejudice viewed this old movie to take notes for their movie. Beautiful story, Beautiful delivery.

2013-03-16 12:15:34

A Hazard of Hearts

Filmed for British cable in the early 90's, this was one in a series of four movies based on the romantic period novels of Dame Barbara Cartland. A HAZARD OF HEARTS is the tale of innocent-yet headstrong Serena Staverley (Helena Bonham-Carter), whose hand in marriage is gambled away by her father in lieu of a debt to disgusting lecher Lord Wrotham (Edward Fox). Serena is saved by Lord Justin Vulcan (Marcus Gilbert) only to fall prey to his cruel mother Lady Harriet (Diana Rigg), the sword-wielding leader of a group of smugglers. There is a lot of enjoyable mystery, intrigue and romance in this exceptional Barbara Cartland adaptation. Also featuring Christopher Plummer, Fiona Fullerton, Eileen Atkins, Anna Massey, Gareth Hunt and Neil Dickson.

Stacey Mitchell 2013-03-15 19:00:19

Good rollicking nonsense!

I love this movie and have done since I first saw it many years ago.The script is firmly buried in cliché and is in places laughable (She'sabout to have the vapours - I'll lay odds on it!) but that only adds toits charm.An impressive early performance from Helena Bonham-Carter as the spunkycountry-mouse, and a first look at Marcus Gilbert (phoaar) as thebrooding-yet-misunderstood-and-hunky Lord Vulcan provides the energy ofthe movie, but the old guard (Diana Rigg, Stewart Granger, Anna Masseyet al) provide the seasoning which makes this a most palatable effort.I have now seen this about a hundred times and can practically talkalong with it, but it never gets old, never gets tired and the DVD willbe my next purchase (I *shall* have it!).

2013-03-03 04:12:50

Addicted to this one!!!

I watched "A Hazard of Heart" when I was studied in Australia. In fact, I never like Babara Cartland because the story was too romantic and predictable.When I watch the movie, I hooked. I remembered that I went to bought the VHS and the book because I loved the movie. Diana Rigg and Christopher Plummer were great. But what surprised me most were Helena Bonham Carter and Marcus Gilbert. I never heard about them before (I mean around 20 years ago) but their performance just incredibly real (eventhough I thought that Helena look like cranky little girl all the time then but when she smiled, it was so fresh, sweet and bright), the sets, the costumes, locations and the casts really ... really great. Let say that I owned "A Hazard of Hearts" VHS and then lend it to someone who never returned it to me. Then my brother went to UK and got the new one for me. Then, my video player broken. I cannot play the movie since no one want to fix the machine. Now, I ordered the DVD which in fact I just want one movie but I have to buy both "A Hazard of Hearts/Lady Hamilton" Anyway, I told myself that I have to have it.

pie-3 2013-03-02 16:33:51

I'm glad you've found someone here to love at Mandrake. In your short time here, you've learned all our most guarded secrets.

I have seen this movie more times than any other. My mother taped it offtelevision and my sisters and I would watch it every day after school. Irecently watched it again after not having seen it for several years, anddespite my expectations of disappointment, I loved it just as much as ever.The old commercials are a kick too (pre-bunny Energizer commercials - TOORIGHT THE EXTRAORDINARY ENERGIZER IT'LL SURPRISE YA!)If you think, as I do, that Helena Bonham-Carter is one of the most charmingfaces and voices around, you will enjoy this young vision of her. And hereyebrows are more active here than anywhere else.

anonymous 2013-02-28 09:32:11

So trashy you can't rip your eyes away.

So there I was, laid up with the 'flu. I flick to the midday movie - oh,it's got Helena Bonham-Carter in it. Groovy. Little did I know that I wasinfor two hours of cliched corny crap that also proved extremely difficulttostop watching despite all my efforts. I swear, I tried so hard to stop!Butit was just so (unintentionally) amusing!The cliches just kept on coming; the acting was terrible (apart fromBonham-Carter); the direction clumsy; the costumes and set design cheap. Iknow, it was made for television; but so was My Beautiful Laundrette.But what really made me frustrated was the hero - throughout the wholefilm,purportedly a romance-adventure, he always, every single time, kissedHelenaon the forehead. Like she was a little girl. It killed me.Watch it for laughs, but don't expect anything else.

jsabrina 2013-02-27 16:43:54

A Barbara Cartland romance

The strength of this film is the performance of Helena Bonham-Carter in anearly role. The plot comes straight from a romance novel, and thus is onlyfor those who enjoy tales of young women in desperate situations that theyovercome through spunk and the unexpected love of a mysterious nobleman,butit's a fun and charming way to pass a couple of hours.

ladyhgiggles 2013-02-08 01:38:01

I love to curl up with this movie (forget a book!)

I caught this movie when it first came out and it instantly became myfavorite romance film. I was 12 then and I impatiently waited for it tocomeon TV again. I was fortunate enough to record it the second and third timethat it re-appeared and I wish it was out on video for others to enjoy.It'snot earth shattering, but cute, sweet and fun. Helena Bonham Carter isadorable and has spunk and Marcus Gilbert is a handsome devil that can makeyou melt down through the couch! This movie started me on Regency periodnovels and films (not to mention forever hunting down Marcus Gilbertfilm/TVappearances). If you have the chance, WATCH IT!! BUT REMEMBER: Do not takeit too seriously or you will be doomed to disappointment! You can also findother TV movies from Barbara Cartland novels such as A Ghost In Monte Carlo(also w/Marcus Gilbert), Duel Of Hearts, and The Lady & The Highwayman(w/Hugh Grant). You might also enjoy The Scarlet Pimpernel.

theprovinces 2013-02-07 11:52:47

Extraordinarily cheesy, classic gothic romance

Helena Bonham-Carter is such a divinely eloquent actress, she shinesabovesuch veterans as Christopher Plummer, Diana Rigg, Edward Fox and StewartGranger (the latter so very underused).Plummer, Rigg and Fox are so horrifically over-the-top, you can onlyassumethat the director was too intimidated by their previous credits torepresstheir cartoonish gleeful overacting.Cartland works with a formula that makes this a very standard gothicromance, but it's saved, in parts, by the charm of the two leads, theextraordinary Bonham-Carter and the still little-seen MarcusGilbert.This also might not seem so infinitely cheesy if the predictable,derivativesoundtrack didn't soar in so obviously.Still, the film is a must for Bonham-Carter fans, if only to confirm whatanexcellent, expressive talent she is. And, as previous commentators havenoted, this is ideal rainy Sunday afternoon fare.

gv71 2013-01-17 13:39:07

Boy loses girl in card game, winner falls for girl.

Good typical Regency romance. Excellent scenery and some good actors inthe movie. Costumes could have been a little better but over all Ienjoyed it. Except I can't believe they cut the ending where the guy never quite kisses the girl. Just an impression that he does it. Wishit was out on video

2013-01-16 22:48:50

A Hazard of Hearts

I was pleased with this product, and the ease with which I received it, as I have had trouble before with other sites. It arrived on time and worked without issue!

moonmare 2012-12-30 03:39:46

Hilariously Bad!!!!

I totally enjoyed this movie because it was terrible! The producerssurely didn't mean for it to be a satire, but that's how it should beviewed. I must explain. I am a romance-addict. It all started when Iwas forced to read "Pride and Prejudice" in 9th grade English Lit. Thatwas it. I was hooked and having devoured Austin, I moved on to her muchless talented imitators, such as the author of this story, BarbaraCartland. This movie is a classic Regency plot. It has everything: aplucky Young Heroine, a gorgeous Rake with a Dark Secret, a SchemingMama (who is also the Affronted Dowager), a Dissipated Lord who LosesEverything in a Foolish Wager, an Abduction, a Forced Marriage and evena Highwayman with a Heart of Gold. What a riot! The cast is great-Diana Rigg chews the scenery as she pacing menacingly in herbe-feathered turbans. Helena Bonham Carter does the poutingconsternation thing she at which she excelled in her Corset Days. TheHero is dressed with sartorial elegance in Biscuit-ColoredInexpressibles and Gleaming Hessians (his valet must have usedchampagne in the blacking!) The best-worst thing about the film is thescore- the music is SO over-the-top! It really pushes the film frommoderately bad to hilariously awful! I loved every minute of it! Ifyou're a fan of costume romance and melodrama, watch this one for agood laugh at yourself!

oscarina 2012-12-29 07:39:51

Tangerine empire-line dresses - wonderful!

This is an incredibly corny adaptation of a Barbara Cartland novel. DianaRigg as the evil mother figure wears a variety of increasingly bizarrehats,Edward Fox bumbles his way through it in typical English aristocraticfashion and Stewart Granger turning up was a real plus! HelenaBonham-Carterlooks more like a pug than ever in this, but it's the anachronisticcostumecolours which are the real highlight. Diana Rigg in a bright tangerineensemble is an abiding image! For sheer trash value, Hazard of Hearts isworth a 10 out of 10.