Product Description

Based on the towering 18th-century novel by Samuel Richardson--the original tale of fatal attraction and the model for all literary dangerous liaisons to come--this acclaimed BBC production features an impressive line-up of stars, including Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Troy, Lady Chatterley), Saskia Wickham (Angels & Insects, Peak Practice), Hermione Norris (Cold Feet), and Sean Pertwee (Cadfael, Dog Soldiers).

Sean Bean plays Lovelace, a handsome rake determined to seduce--and thus destroy--the beautiful young virgin Clarissa Harlowe (Saskia Wickham), a wealthy heiress famed for her virtue. As Clarissa is forced by her scheming family into the predatory Lovelace’s arms, it seems certain that he will succeed. But Lovelace has failed to reckon with both Clarissa’s strength of character and his one fatal weakness: his own heart. For the first time in his life, he becomes genuinely infatuated with his prey--a failing that drives him to new heights of decadence and sows the seeds of his own destruction.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34231 in DVD
• Brand: Acorn
• Released on: 2005-08-09
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 156 minutes

Customer Reviews

SHOCKING AND GRIPPING


Samuel Richardson's 18th century novel of vice and virtue, revenge and manipulation begins with famously virginal CLARISSA (Acorn) Harlowe inheriting her grandfather's huge estate. But she has no interest in wealth and passes it to her father, ignoring her siblings James and Bella.

Clarissa also claims no interest in marriage but notices her sister's current beau, the notorious lady's man Robert Lovelace. Angry and jealous at being passed over, and with their parents approval, James and Bella try to force Clarissa into marrying the repulsive Solmes, a man of "material advantage." That only pushes a desperate Clarissa into Lovelace's arms, a man she does not trust but who quickly becomes obsessed with her, even though all his tried and true seduction tricks fail.

So begins the great BBC production from the early 90s. Anyone who has seen it will surely remember the exciting twists and shocks of this magnificent miniseries now on DVD for the first time.

If it all sounds stodgy, don't be deceived, this is the granddaddy of all the dangerous liaisons copycats (including "Dangerous Liaisons").

Everything about this fast moving show is top notch: acting, screenplay, production values, and direction. I can't think of a better description of this absolutely riveting drama than the original press release: "Vice was his weapon, virtue hers. Love would destroy them both."

Even if British drama is not your cup of tea, sip this delicious brew.

Clarissa well worth the wait
I was reccomended this title a few years ago, before it came out on DVD. I searched high and low but found not a trace of it. Finally, I saw it was available here at long last! I purchased it without ever seeing a minute, and I was not too dissapointed.

This story is all about an heiress, Clarissa who is innocent enough to make you want to strangle her. She is the perfect lady, with morals and values. Of course, she runs into the most devious and seductive man who wants to charm her out of her virtues and her inheritance, while still sneaking around with her friends and relatives on the side.

Though the story begins a little slow, the costumes and settings are charming. The BBC always does an exquisite job of being period accurate when they make these long costume dramas! The house is gorgeous, the dresses are gorgeous, even the ugly men wearing HUGE puffy wigs are gorgeous.

A quick plot summary: Clarissa is the heiress to her father's fortune, which makes her sister and brother (possibly having an incestuous relationship?!?) VERY jealous and angry. They begin to plot against her. Enter Mr. Lovelace. Mr. Lovelace is a "bad guy", who was making advances on Clarissa's sister. He quickly breaks off their attachment to persue Clarissa, for her fortune at first. As time goes on, Clarrisa denied her inheritance, and tortured by her family to marry a toad-like suitor. When she refuses, all hell breaks loose. Mr. Lovelace undertsnads this predicament and offers to help Clarissa by running away with her. Throught the movie, Mr. Lovelace has to fight his true feelings for Clarissa (love) and his feelings to rape her (his usual way). His fight with his own feelings are apparent, and Sean Bean is excellent.

I will watch anything with costumes and a decent story though, so I will let you be the judge. If you enjoyed films like The Forsyte Saga, Dangerous Liasions, Valmont, He Knew He Was Right and other period BBC slow-moving sagas, then this DVD is for you.

Burning Passion & Betrayal
Here is the source of "Valmont" and "Dangeous Liasons". Robert Lovelace is a passionate rake. Rich and awash in privilege he sees nothing wrong with the game of seduction. To seduce a pious virgin is his undoing. In the course of this seduction he loses both his heart and his soul. The rape scene is unnerving and may be deeply disturbing to some viewers. Coming out of this pivotal scene with any sort of feeling for Lovelace is a mark of how painfully good an actor Sean Bean is. Watch this first followed by "Valmont" and then "Dangeous Liasons" and you will see the perfect evolution of a classic 17th century theme. The rich production values pull you in to the action and the main theme of seduction still leaves room for the fundamental plot of Greed and Spite to come shining through. A viewing banquet.