I was thrilled to find this sensational dark mystery, a British TV movie, featuring veteran movie actor Leslie Phillips ("Carry On!"), Margaret Tyzack ("I Claudius") and Samantha Bond ("Downton Abbey") and a terrific ensemble who are graced with some truly chilling material. Phillips is upset to find out about the death of an old friend, a little old lady who lived in a country estate cottage and to his knowledge led a simple life. Phillips and imposing wife Tyzavk visit thr countryside and discover a bunch of odd circumstances that may indeed be demonic, stemming from a curse by none other than King Arthur's evil illegitimate sin, Mordred, and how they tie in to the late Edith Folland.
While the story is left open ended, I was chilled to the bone by the hints of evil revealed in film's fast moving 90 minutes. This reminded me of "Crowhaven Farm" and "The Dark Secret of Harvest Home". Every character who appears has some sort of darkness that is revealed from their past, and that gives everybody something juicy to do. Bond has a breakdown scene where she's shooting discriminantly at Phillips, having no idea that he is a friend of her late mother's, a scene that ends up with her nonchalantly letting him in as if shooting at the unknown is a normal thing to do. Tyzack plays a rather formidable character, but as she reveals reasons for her imperiousness, the audience comes to understand her insecurities and secret loneliness. It's a masterful performance. Phillips is easy going yet determined, and they are great together. One of the most delightful discoveries I've found in a long time.
While the story is left open ended, I was chilled to the bone by the hints of evil revealed in film's fast moving 90 minutes. This reminded me of "Crowhaven Farm" and "The Dark Secret of Harvest Home". Every character who appears has some sort of darkness that is revealed from their past, and that gives everybody something juicy to do. Bond has a breakdown scene where she's shooting discriminantly at Phillips, having no idea that he is a friend of her late mother's, a scene that ends up with her nonchalantly letting him in as if shooting at the unknown is a normal thing to do. Tyzack plays a rather formidable character, but as she reveals reasons for her imperiousness, the audience comes to understand her insecurities and secret loneliness. It's a masterful performance. Phillips is easy going yet determined, and they are great together. One of the most delightful discoveries I've found in a long time.
