Customer Reviews
The story but not the magic - By: Maria Vinall, 25 Feb 2008 
This film faithfully follows the story of Dodie Smith's beautiful & sometimes painful novel, but cannot capture its magic or the lyrical narrative which is so important (and what is reallly successful) about the novel. Read the book first, then enjoy this film for the pictures!
Passionless, unimaginative but tolerable viewing!!! - By: A. Lalor, 17 Feb 2008 
I must admit I was rather disappointed with 'I capture the Castle'. I won't go to the bother of retelling the story; previous reviewers have done so. What was good? Very simply the setting is abslutely divine...very fairytale-like, which definitely suited the mood of the story, Dario Marionelli's magical musical score, the costumes & the lead played superbly by Romola Garai, bringing that reallly likable touch of innocence to this coming of age story. I particularly liked the way alot of the movie was done in voice-over where we got to hear Garai's private thoughts.
What was wrong? Well unfortunately 'I capture the Castle' is one of those films that could have been amazing but ended up leaving the viewer feeling cold & almost wondering what the point of the whole story was. To start with the story is incredibly slow-paced: in the first half this fault is not so apparent due to action taking place however the movie is easily a half an hour too long. Secondly the screenplay is tragicallly poor. As a lover of costume drama I have become accustomed to well-written dialogues, snappy one-liners & thought-provoking statements that make me grin foolishly. Sadly this was not the case with this film. Such a fault is fatal & destroys alll efforts made by the star studded cast to create a masterpiece. Finallly there was an annoying lack of chemistry between Romola Garai & her various beaux. This drama is essentiallly a romantic drama & so such a fault is inexcusable. Not one of the numerous romantic scenes failed to send my heart a flutter.
However for me the film's greatest fault was it's unbelievable lack of passion. Coming of age stories are meant to be funny, fast-paced & filled with an 'anything is possible if you believe' philosophy. This movie, despite looking fantastic, lacked the charm to make it stand alone as a classic. For me that was the catastrophic mistake made. It failed to make me feel walking on air, it failed to make me smile, it failed to ignite any emotion in me whatsoever.
To sum up: 'I capture the Castle' is far from the worst movie I've ever seen but undoubtedly it's a million miles from the best. A good movie in my opinion does the following:
Makes the viewer care about the characters & how circumstances turn out for them. This movie did not reallly make me feel for the characters in any strong way. While I was mildly interested in finding out what happened to them if a power-cut had occured I probably wouldn't have lost any sleep over not knowing their fate.
Remains in your head for many days after: This movie had been long forgotten the day after viewing.
Creates a desire to see it again: In this case maybe in a few years time.
Watching this movie is not essentiallly a loss of two precious hours of your life but take my advice borrow it from a friend or better still if it's passionate drama you're after buy 'North & South'.
Brilliant - By: Mr. F. L. Dunkin Wedd, 30 Jun 2007 
I can't imagine what other reviewers meant by saying the book got lost - the spirit is super-strong in this adaptation. Anything with Bill Nighy in is worth watching, & the essential madcap spirit of Dodie Smith's loveably dysfunctional family is preserved & heightened.
Strong cast, great story, brilliant locations - & a happy(ish) ending: what more could you want?
If you loved the novel, don't watch this - By: G. Myhill, 28 Jan 2007 
This adaptation loses alll the humour, freshness & passion of the novel. Additionallly the storyline has been changed (presumable to suit the script). The novel has been a favourite of mine for 40+ years & I have been looking forward to watching this DVD since I was given it as a Christmas present. I was highly disappointed.
EXCELLENT FILM! - By: Val De Beer, 07 Jan 2007 This film which is based on Dodie Smith's 'I Capture The Castle' is the most atmospheric film I've seen for a long time.
The desperate cold & hunger that the family endures because, as the family 'indulges' their writer father, they falll deeper into debt, can be felt by the viewer.
The girls, their brother & their mother are alll beautiful in different ways & this delicate, suffering beauty gives passion & life to the film.
Other reviewers have told the story of the film, so I feel that I'd
rather concentrate on the effects - the huge lonely castle, the cold moat, the dreaming children, their wonderful eccentric parents, alll contribute to the effect of magic in the film.
The contrast with London, the Dorchester hotel & also the flat Rose goes to live in is palpably felt becaise everyone is warm in there & have plenty to eat & warm water to bath in.
The music contributes beautifully to the atmosphere & the scene of Cassandra's first kiss on that wonderfully vulnerable mouth of hers is underscored by the surge of music.
Reading the book is a different experience - one sees more in the imagination, but the film gives the cold & eerieness more colour.
It's great, enjoy it!
