A Ghost in Monte Carlo (1990)

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This is a superb adaptation of a page turning Barbara Cartland novel, with all the frills you would expect, and one will find this to be highly watchable. While some have said you may "figure out most of the story in the first few minutes" I dare say otherwise and with the cast in the film and excellent production values this has more of a "movie movie" feel, than a made for TV film, as you watch it enfold as its enveloping twists and turns it will delight the viewer to it's moving climax.Sarah Miles and Lysette Anthony are wonderful, Ms Miles delivers a compelling and sympathetic performance as a world weary Countess who takes her innocent niece (Ms.Anthony) from a convent and sends her into the exciting world of Monte Carlo, into the arms of the Crown Prince himself, all played to atypical romantic perfection!This ensemble cast of top actors shine in this photo-play. The late Oliver Reed, along with the ever wondrous Christopher Plummer, shine especially, along with the superb Samantha Eggar, Fiona Fullerton and Gareth Hunt in supporting but important roles this is a true classic of 1990s television at it's best, to be watched and enjoyed, and watched again. This is a ***** star TV Movie production that zips by in in an all too short 90 mins!

Madame Emilie (Sarah Miles) is an old courtesan woman , changing her weary life , she takes her orphaned niece Mistral (Lysette Anthony) from a convent . Both of them undergo a new life in the cosmopolitan Montecarlo along with the maid (Samantha Eggar). The courtesan becomes the countess of Secret . They are the talk of the high class from Montecarlo . Mistral encounters herself surrounded by suitors , as Lord Roberts (Marcus Gilbert) and prince Nicholas , son of the Grand Duke (Christopher Plummer) . But some (Gareth Hunt) knows the secrets and threatens to Emilie and an admirer Rajah (Oliver Reed) has less than honorable intentions over Mistral . Meanwhile , the aunt hiding a number of secrets is plotting a long-awaited vengeance in a twisted finale . Naturally , there's a happy ending like happens on all stories by Barbara Cartland.This is a romance-drama with tragedy , murder, passion , love , twisted plot and incredible ending . It's an entertaining film and regency romance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail . Based on the romance novel with the same title by Barbara Cartland . In fact , belongs to quatrain of pictures directed by John Hough , such as : ¨Duel of hearts (Alison Doody, Michael York), ¨Hazard of hearts¨(Helena Bonham Carter, Gilbert), and the best , ¨The lady and the highwayman¨(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) . All realized by the same director , producer (Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade), musician (Laurie Johnson : The avengers) , author (Cartland) and similar players (Lysette Anthony , Marcus Gilbert , Neal Dickson , Fiona Fullerton , Christopher Plummer , among others) . This TV picture was well directed by John Hough . He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , beginning in television series (Avengers, Protectors) , making Hammer film (Twins of evil), classic terror (legend of hell house) , average horror movies (Howling IV, American Gothic) , adventures (Island of treasure, Black arrow) until wholesome Disney family fare (Return and escape to witch mountain) . The flick will appeal to romantic drama buffs.

Well, what can you say about a Barbara Cartland adaptation?There are some amazing actors in this (Oliver Reed, Sarah Miles, Christopher Plummer) but they clearly are clocking up the money.Lysette Anthony and Marcus Gilbert have appeared in two other Cartland epics - Anthony with Hugh Grant (who looks suitably embarrassed) and Gilbert with Helena Bonham Carter.If you really want to see a "watchable" adaptation of Cartland, the Bonham Carter one is the one to go for ("A Hazard of Hearts" - what a title!!). Gilbert is the weak link in that, but Bonham Carter is suitably beautiful and of course can actually act, and the rest of the cast play it to the hilt with tongues firmly in cheek (Edward Fox & Diana Rigg)

"A Ghost in Monte Carlo" has an excellent cast. The storyline is superb and succeeds in drawing the viewer quickly into the story. The setting and costumes add to the richness of the storyline. This fine story, based on the novels of Barbara Cartland, is neatly interwoven with romance, secrets from the past, and suspense with regard to the various storylines linked to the main character of Mistral. This movie is definitely for all "romantics-at-heart!"