The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Region 1 - Playable in North America - the US, Canada, Mexico, etc.) Color. 1989. New, lower price!
Starring: Stephanie Beacham, Mel Smith, Geraldine James, Richard O’Brien, Emily Hudson, Jane Horrocks, Lynton Dearden, Jonathan Coy, Aleks Darowska. Written by William M Akers, from the book by Joan Aiken. Directed by Stuart Orme.
Based on the much-loved children's book by Joan Aitken and made in 1989, this spooky family film is a classic Dickensian-gothic tale of resourceful children, evil governesses, forged wills, cruel orphanages and goodness triumphant - all taking place in a remote and isolated country house. The story is set in an alternative nineteenth century where savage packs of wolves roam the snow bound countryside. This dark and atmospheric fantasy sees Lord and Lady Willoughby heading overseas - leaving their daughter Bonnie (Emily Hudson) and her orphaned cousin Sylvia (Aleks Darowska) left in the care of the children’s new governess: the sinister Miss Slightcarp (Stephanie Beacham). Slightcarp and her accomplice Grimshaw (Mel Smith) are plotting to steal the family fortune and sabotage the Willoughby’s ship. When news arrives that the Willoughby’s are indeed missing, Miss Slightcarp banishes the children to a workhouse and dismisses all but two of the servants. Now it is up to Bonnie and Sylvia to escape the workhouse, evade the ravenous wolves, and foil Miss Slightcarp’s evil plans!
Review: "THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE is based on a story by the great and spooky children's author Joan Aiken. In it, a pair of children are holed up in a remote mansion in a snowy locale surrounded by the titular wolves. They're in the care of scheming governess Stephanie Beacham and unscrupulous lawyer Mel Smith, and the story becomes a battle of wits between child and adult as each attempts to dispose of the other.
The film's visual style is what makes this so distinctive and indeed I remember loving it as a children. Carriage rides through the snowy landscapes with wolf accompaniment bring to mind the delights of the BBC's THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE."
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