The Lady and the Highwayman
| The Lady and the Highwayman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | John Hough |
| Produced by |
Albert Fennell John Hough Peter Manley Sir Lew Grade(executive producer) |
| Written by |
Barbara Cartland (novel Cupid Rides Pillion) Terence Feely (screenplay) |
| Starring | See below |
| Music by | Laurie Johnson |
| Cinematography | Terry Cole |
| Distributed by |
Gainsborough Pictures The Grade Company |
|
Release date
|
1989 |
|
Running time
|
90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Lady and the Highwayman is a 1989 United Kingdom romantic adventure TV movie based on Barbara Cartland's romance novel Cupid Rides Pillion. The working title of the film was Dangerous Love.
The film stars Hugh Grant (in one of his earliest appearances) as highwayman Silver Blade and Lysette Anthony as Lady Panthea Vyne. The film is a swashbuckling tale of romance, jealousy and betrayal set in England during the Restoration of Charles II with (Michael York) as King Charles II of England. Emma Samms as the notorious Lady Castlemaine and Oliver Reed are supported by guest appearances by Robert Morley and John Mills. The beautifully done period costumes and beautiful settings are one of the best features of the film. The program music aids in this spirited romp through a bit of England's history.
The Lady Castlemaine of the film, whose vendetta against Lady Panthea Vyne is the 'meat' of the film, is based on the life of Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland, one of King Charles II's mistresses, who mothered several children by the King. She had many notable descendants, including Diana, Princess of Wales and Sir Anthony Eden, British Prime Minister from 1955-1957.
The film begins with a narrator telling us that Cromwell's tyranny is coming to an end, when we see several men approaching on horseback. We learn that King Charles II and several of his Cavaliers have been on an exploratory tour in England, checking to see if the populace is ready to back his return. At the moment he is being hounded by a troop of Roundheads. King Charles stops to bid one of his supporters, a Royalist Lord Lucius Vyne (Hugh Grant) who he gives one of his favorite rings, telling Lucius to send it if he ever needs his help. Taking the ring Lucius borrows the King's distinctive plumed hat and leads the King's pursuers away, allowing Charles and Lucius' cousin, Lord Richard Vyne to reach a waiting boat bound for France. Lucius manages to lose the Roundheads in a cavernous entrance of a quarried chalk cliff face.
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