“In
The Good Soldier, a high-quality
adaptation of Ford Madox Ford’s classic
Edwardian story of love, deception and
tragedy, a sterling cast creates a motley
assortment of convincing characters,
each facing their own demons...”
EACH YEAR IN BAD NAUHEIM, GERMANY, American John Dowell (Robin Ellis: Poldark)
brings his sick wife Florence (Vickery Turner) to take the waters as she suffers
a heart condition. On one such trip, they meet English gentleman and former
officer in the 14th King's Hussars Edward Ashburnham (Jeremy Brett: The
Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes) and his wife Leonora (Susan Fleetwood), becoming
firm friends and meeting again on subsequent visits.
It soon becomes apparent that the two couples are not the perfect match they
are thought to be. Edward has indulged himself with dalliances that include
the mistress of a Russian Grand Duke and possibly Maisie Maidan (Pauline Moran),
the wife of a soldier in Edward's command, who accompanies the Ashburnhams to
Germany.
Did Florence have an ulterior motive for marrying John and is she really as
sick as she seems to be? Why does Leonora tolerate Maisie when she has already
lost a lot of money because of Edward's indiscretions and how does the lovely
Nancy Rifford (Elizabeth Garvie) connect with Edward?
As the intricacies of the relationships are gradually laid bare, the carefully-concealed
flaws, destructive passions and infidelities become exposed — leading to
a sequence of tragic events.
Ford Madox Ford's The Good Soldier is a classic period piece, widely
regarded as one of the greatest English language novels of the twentieth century,
and is adapted for the screen by Julian Mitchell. Jeremy Brett is a household
name from his iconic performance in ITV's The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
He relishes the title role, giving one of the outstanding performances of his
long and distinguished career.
The Good Soldier is a fine period drama with a talented cast that excellently
captures the Edwardian ethos and their characters' human frailties. The film
also features: Geoffrey Chater as Bagshawe and John Ratzenberger as Jimmy. Musical
Direction and Original Music is by John McCabe; Costume Designer is Robin Fraser
Paye; Produced by Peter Eckersley; Directed by Kevin Billington.
Filmed on location at Bad Nauheim, Marburg and Wiesbaden, in the Federal Republic
of Germany; Holker Hall, Cumbria; Croxteth Hall, Liverpool; Stanway House, Gloucestershire;
and Chetham's Library, Manchester.
• The
period drama The Good Soldier is available to own on DVD, courtesy of
Network DVD, on 22 August 2011. Total Running Time: 105 Minutes Approximately
| RRP: £12.99 | Catalogue Number: 7953569.
"The Good Soldier is a fine period drama with a talented cast that excellently
captures the Edwardian ethos and their characters' human frailties" —
Maggie Woods, MotorBar
“In
The Good Soldier, a high-quality