Nigel Havers

I've read a few of Catherine Cookson's historical novels, and usually found them a bit too full of gritty reality, sometimes with rather depressing endings. So I wasn't too sure what to expect of this film, having not read the book. On the whole, I was pleasantly surprised.

Annabella, a ten-year-old child of luxurious circumstances, doesn't understand that her beloved father is a promiscuous, violent spendthrift. The first part of the film shows her background, and uncovers a few family show more secrets. Her naive innocence gets some of the servants into trouble.

Then the plot leaps forward seven years, and Annabella's life takes on a very different form as she learns the truth about her past, and as her father is threatened with bankruptcy.

It was very well done. I was particularly impressed with the young Annabella, and also Nigel Havers as her unpleasant (but attractive) father. I could have done without one violent boxing scene - I averted my eyes - but other than that, it was, on the whole, an enjoyable film. Quite long at two and a half hours, but I found myself gripped; and was relieved that the ending was much more satisfactory than I had feared. My husband enjoyed it too, though we're unlikely to watch it again. show less