LORNA DOONE (TV)

Summary

This made-for-television production, based on R.D. Blackmore's novel, concerns a romance that takes place between the grown son and daughter of two warring clans in rural England of 1675. As the program opens, the notorious Doones invade the marketplace of idyllic Exmoor. Young Jack Ridd helplessly watches as his father, Jack, is senselessly murdered by Carver Doone. Jack accompanies his mother, Sarah, to Doone Valley to confront the killer. Sarah meets with the family's patriarch, Sir Ensor, who recalls how his once-aristocratic family fell from grace. Sarah realizes she'll get no satisfaction and goes back to the Ridds' farm, after which John tells her that he'll one day kill the Doones. While fishing, John has an accident and is carried over a waterfall. He's found by a young girl, Lorna. As Carver approaches them, John hides, then finds his way home. Years pass, and John grows into a man. En route to John's birthday party, cousin Tom Faggus steals finery from rich travelers, then gives the goods away. Amidst the birthday revels, a bloodied Uncle Reuben Huckaback arrives after being beaten and robbed by the Doones. Going to Baron de Whichehalse and his son Marwood for justice, Reuben hears his claims dismissed due to "lack of evidence." Later, Baron privately tells Ensor that he can't continue to cover up the Doones's crimes, raising Ensor's wrath. Journeying back to Doone Valley at Reuben's bequest, John finds Lorna and comments on their mutual attraction. He's horrified to then learn that she is Ensor's heir, causing him to beat a hasty retreat. After some thought, John tells his sister Annie about his secret love, knowing that their Doone-hating sister Lizzie wouldn't understand. The next day, Carver demands that Ensor allow him to wed Lorna. Ensor encourages Carver to first make Lorna love him. John returns to Lorna, and the pair continue to see each other. However, John is soon escorted to London by Captain Jeremy Stickles at the request of the lord chief justice, Judge Jeffreys. During John's absence, Carver tries to kiss Lorna but she spurns him. He says he'll force her into marriage the day after Ensor dies.

In London, Judge Jeffreys questions John about the Doones, asking if they'll support the Protestant Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of King Charles II, when the king dies. Judge Jeffreys learns that the Ridds will support James, the Catholic brother to Charles, in his bid for succession. As a result, the judge promises aid in Reuben's complaint against the Doones, via Jeremy and Sergeant Bloxham's assistance. Upon returning to Exmoor, John is told by Tom that he's giving up the lifestyle of a highwayman and that he wants to marry Annie. Before John can react, Lorna's friend Gwenny Fairfax summons him to Doone Valley. There, he finds that Ensor has learned of his romance with Lorna. Though condemning the affair, Ensor grants safe passage out of Doone Valley to John, even as Carver threatens him. John subsequently tells his family about Lorna, earning Sarah and Lizzie's fury. On his deathbed, Ensor gives Lorna a necklack that belonged to her mother, then mysteriously begs her forgiveness. Upon Ensor's death, Carver becomes lord of the Doones. John sneaks into Doone Valley and spirits Lorna away during Ensor's funeral, harboring her on his farm. Carver subsequently brings his forces to the Ridd home, and a fight ensues. Jeremy, fighting alongside John and Tom's sister Ruth, is shot. As intruders converge on the family, Lorna saves Lizzie's life. After continued gunfire and the burning of the Ridd barn, Lorna stops John from shooting Carver, who runs off into the night.

Ruth nurses the wounded Jeremy, after which John tries to rebuild the barn as Lorna apologizes for the troubles she has brought about. Lorna admits to a confused John that she once had feelings for Carver. Carver then unsuccessfully tries to abduct Lorna, telling her that he'll never let anyone else have her. At dinner, Tom admires the necklace which Ensor gave to Lorna. He takes a drawing of it to London to find out its history. Later, Carver's father, Counsellor, stops at the Ridds and offers a truce, stating that he will support the pair's wedding if Lorna returns to Doone Valley. The next morning, Lorna realizes that Counsellor stole her necklace before fleeing. Carver and Counsellor then meet with the de Whichehalses. Baron states that Judge Jeffreys is upset with Counsellor over Jeremy's shooting. Carver and Counsellor subsequently agree to support Monmouth as a way of regaining the family's ancestral land. At the Ridd farm, Sergeant Bloxham admits his attraction to Lizzie. Meanwhile, Tom tells John that Lorna's necklace belonged to the late Countess of Dugal. Tom further explains that the countess was robbed and killed by Ensor and his men, who also kidnapped the woman's little girl: Lorna. John is shocked to realize that Lorna is heir to one of the country's richest fortunes, finally understanding the importance of a marriage between Carver and Lorna. Jeremy, who states that Lorna is the legal ward of the king, insists on taking the unwilling girl to London. Weeks later, John finds that all the letters he's written to Lorna have been returned. Meanwhile, Carver is upbraided by Counsellor for turning to drink while despairing over Lorna. Carver agrees to join the rebellion and fight for Monmouth. Elsewhere, the Ridds celebrate as Tom marries Annie. As John bemoans his single state, he's urged to make a move on Ruth, who pines for him. He tells her that he's now "a free man," then runs away after kissing her.

Villagers subsequently hear that King Charles is dead and that locals are joining in Monmouth's war to take the throne. John argues that those in Exmoor should stay neutral. A pregnant Annie breaks down after Tom joins the rebels. John agrees to bring Tom back, over Sarah's objections. John soon hears that Tom has been killed in battle, with allegiances having shifted to James and the Catholic cause. However, John finds Tom wounded and tries to rescue him. Instead, John is caught by James's soldiers and threatened with death until Jeremy intercedes. Elsewhere, Counsellor tells Carver that they should abandon their fight, though Carver defies him. In London, Jeremy convinces Judge Jeffreys to spare John and let him lead troops against the rebels -- including the Doones. Before returning, John insists on seeing Lorna. At her home, the two reunite and find that Gwenny -- now Lorna's maid -- had returned all of John's letter out of misplaced loyalty. Each then admits that their mutual passion remains. Back at Exmoor, John finds that Tom returned before Annie gave birth to a son. The next day, John leads an attack on the Doones, aided by Tom, Jeremy and his men. A battle ensues with many of the Doone men -- including Counsellor -- killed. Before he dies, Counsellor gives back Lorna's necklace and tells John that Carver killed Jack. Afterward, Judge Jeffreys grants John's freedom and agrees to make him a knight so that he can marry Lorna. John also wins a pardon for Tom. In Exmoor, John and Lorna exchange vows. Just as the ceremony is completed, Carver bursts into the church and shoots Lorna. John chases after Carver and tackles him in a bog. During their fight, Carver falls into quicksand, then refuses John's attempt to save him. Upon going back to his family, John finds that Lorna's wound wasn't fatal and that Ruth ultimately saved her life. Lorna makes a full recovery, then walks through the fields of her new home with John and her loved ones. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: A&E
• DATE: March 11, 2001 8:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 2:22:36
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:73342
• GENRE: Drama
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Literature - Adaptations; England
• SERIES RUN: A&E - TV, 2001
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Gareth Neame … Executive Producer
• Jane Tranter … Executive Producer
• Delia Fine … Executive Producer
• Deirdre Keir … Producer
• Alison Gee … Line Producer
• Mike Barker … Director
• Adrian Hodges … Writer
• R.D. Blackmore … Based on the book by
• John Lunn … Music by
• Jane Gibson … Choreographer
• Martin Clunes … Cast, Jeremy Stickles
• Richard Coyle … Cast, John Ridd
• Aidan Gillen … Cast, Carver Doone
• Amelia Warner … Cast, Lorna Doone
• Anthony Calf … Cast, Tom Faggus
• Barbara Flynn … Cast, Sarah Ridd
• Martin Jarvis … Cast, Baron de Whichehalse
• Michael Kitchen … Cast, Judge Jeffreys
• Anton Lesser … Cast, Counsellor Doone
• Jack Shepherd … Cast, Reuben Huckaback
• Jesse Spencer … Cast, Marwood de Whichehalse
• Peter Vaughan … Cast, Sir Ensor Doone
• Neil Finnigan … Cast, Jack Ridd
• Jack Baverstock … Cast, Young John Ridd
• Trevor Cooper … Cast, John Fry
• Ruth Sheen … Cast, Betty Muxworthy
• Katie Pitts Drake … Cast, Young Lorna Doone
• Oliver Chris … Cast, Charles Doone
• Honeysuckle Weeks … Cast, Annie Ridd
• Joanne Frogatt … Cast, Lizzie Ridd
• Rebecca Callard … Cast, Ruth Huckaback
• Helen Coker … Cast, Gwenny Fairfax
• James McAvoy … Cast, Sergeant Bloxham
• Trevor Peacock … Cast, Parson Bowden
• John Paul Connolly … Cast, Angry Churchgoer
• Simon Quarterman … Cast, Soldier at Sedgemoor
• Pip Torrens … Cast, Colonel Kirke
• Peter Pacey … Cast, Clerk of Court
• Gregor Henderson Begg … Cast, Belton