Lorna Doone still reads well. Yes, it is very much a product of the era it was written in, but the story still works well - the central romance beset by the problem of Lorna's situation within the Doones, enhanced by the texturing of the main plot interlacing with the many subplots.But if you read it, you get a very strong picture of John Ridd as the archetypical gentle giant. With all due respect to Richard Coyle, he doesn't have the physical presence I expect from John Ridd. This piece of central casting is then compounded further by the casting of Aiden Gillen as Carver Doone. Carver Doone is big and dark, in every sense of both words. Gillen is effete and peevish. Evil, certainly, but without ever making me think he was physically Carver. Both men act well, albeit Carver should be more brooding and less hissy: I suspect that this is direction, though.The child actors playing young John and young Lorna aren't very good. America turns up fabulous child actors all over the place, England can't find them anywhere.The rest of the cast is fine: Amelia Warner as Lorna is gorgeous and does the best she can with a character which is underwritten in the novel, and Martin Clunes is a surprising but effective Jeremy Stickles.The piece looks gorgeous, although I was surprised to find the climactic bog in a forest instead of on the moors.Addendum: I have just rewatched this, and boy is Aidan Gillen miscast. Yes, he is evil, but his Carver is petulant, peevish and bad tempered, not thunderous and malevolent.

The scenery and photography are stunning.The casting and acting are both first-rate.Some elements of the book have been omitted from the film, but nothing essential has been left out.Very fast paced. There is a fair amount of violence, but no gratuitous violence.A few elements of the story are a bit unrealistic, e.g., it is hard to believe that Baron de Whithouse's son would risk his life for the Doones, but this seems rather minor.In summary, a first-rate piece of historical fiction.

I first saw this movie one day at the library. I had never read the book. I knew next to nothing about it. When I watched it, I couldn't get enough of it. It felt like a roller coaster ride. I loved the love triangle and that you faced one thing after another. Amelia Warner was wonderful as Lorna. I was extremely thankful she played Lorna as a girl who could stand up for herself and as someone you're not always really sure you can trust. Aidan Warner (Carver) was extremely evil,but you can see how much he loves Lorna. However, I hated that Carver really didn't age from the beginning to when you see him all those years later. Richard Coyle was unbelievable as John. I loved how much he frought to keep Lorna. Still, I felt that John's and Lorna's courtship was much too rushed.

Wonderful romantic epic tale. Lorna Doone was written by Blackwell in 1869 and the story takes place in the mid-late 1600s. This 2000 version of Lorna Doone is more true to the novel and very enjoyable. Per Blackmore's novel Lorna Doone was a dark haired, dark eyed raven beauty. I was glad to see the actress chosen to play Lorna Doone reflects that image. The same goes for the actor chosen to play John Ridd. A strapping blonde cutie. This film flows nicely from beginning to end. How John Ridd's father crosses paths with the evil Doones and meets his fate. How John meets Lorna and she tell him her story. The hold the Doones have on Lorna. How John braves the evil Doones just to be with Lorna. How John and Lorna then struggle to be together when so many wish them apart. The costumes are lavish as well as the scenery. A must see.