The Glass Virgin – a mini-series in three parts – is a historical drama which premiered on British television (ITV) in 1995.
This historical drama is set in the north of England in the 1860s; mostly in the countryside, but occasionally in a small town.
Here is some basic information about it:
** Director: Sarah Hellings
** Screenplay written by Alan Seymour
** Based on a book by Catherine Cookson (1969)
** Released on DVD in 2003 and 2007
** Run time: 3 x 49 minutes = 147 minutes
The cast includes the following:
GROUP # 1
** Brendan Coyle as Manuel Mendoza
** Emily Mortimer as Annabella Lagrange – age 17-18
** Nigel Havers as Edmund Lagrange – Annabella’s father
** Christine Kavanagh as Rosina Lagrange – Annabella’s mother
GROUP # 2
** David Whitaker as Mr Skillen
** Su Elliot as Mrs Skillen
** Ralph Watson as Mr Fairbairn
** Catherine Terris as Mrs Fairbairn
GROUP # 3
** Crispin Redman as George Boston
** Samantha Glenn as Annabella Lagrange – age 10
** Frederick Treves as Great Uncle James
** Venetia Barrett as Great Aunt Emma
Catherine Cookson (1906-1998) was a British author who wrote almost one hundred books. Some people called them romances, but she said they were historical novels, because the (fictional) story was always placed in a historical context.
Many of her books were best-sellers. She has sold more than 100 million copies. Many of her books have been adapted for television. The book on which this movie is based, The Glass Virgin, was published in 1969.
I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone. Therefore, I am not going to reveal too much about what happens in this movie. I will only tell you how the story begins.
The Glass Virgin is the story of two persons: Annabella and Manuel Mendoza.
** Annabella is a young woman who grows up in a big house with many servants. She does not know much about the world outside the manor house, but she has a good heart.
When we first meet her, she is only 10. After a brief introduction, the story jumps seven years forward in time. Now she is 17.
During a heated discussion with her parents, Edmund reveals that Rosina is not her real mother. When Annabella goes to meet her real mother (a prostitute in town), she gets another shock when she is told that Edmund is not her real father.
By now Annabella feels as if she is all alone in the world with no parents and no family. She has never worked a day in her life, but now it seems she will have to find a job to support herself.
** Manuel Mendoza is a young man from Ireland who has given himself a Spanish name, because it sounds more interesting than his real name.
After a dangerous incident in which Manuel saves Annabella’s life, Edmund hires him to take care of his horses and to teach Annabella how to ride a horse. From this moment a strong bond between Annabella and Mendoza is formed.
After a violent incident with Edmund, Manuel has to leave the manor house. Annabella wants to join him, but he refuses, saying the life on the road will be too hard for her. She insists, and after a while he gives in. Together Annabella and Manuel hit the road in search of a new life.
This is how the story begins and this is where my presentation ends. If you want to know what happens to them, you will have to watch the movie – or read the book - all the way to the end.
When you get to the end, you will understand why the title of the movie (and the book) is The Glass Virgin.
What do reviewers say about this movie?
On IMDb, it has a rating of 70 per cent, which corresponds to 3.5 stars on Amazon. If you ask me, this rating is too low.
On Amazon, there are at the moment more than 100 ratings of this product, more than 60 with reviews. The average rating is four stars, which corresponds to a rating of 80 percent. If you ask me, this rating is quite appropriate.
This movie is captivating, dramatic, and highly emotional. There are many twists and turns, but some of them are predictable. The same thing can be said about the ending. I will not tell you what happens. I will only tell you that the ending is predictable.
In addition, there is the question of the leading actors and their ages:
** In the movie, Annabella is 17. After one year on the road, she is 18. Emily Mortimer (who plays this role) was born in 1971. In 1994 (when the movie was being filmed) she was 23. In other words: she was five or six years too old for the role she had to play.
** In the movie, Manuel Mendoza says he is 27. After a year on the road, he is 28. Brendan Coyle (who plays this role) was born in 1963. In 1994 (when the movie was being filmed) he was 31. In other words: he was three or four years too old for the role he had to play.
I like this movie and I want to give it a good rating, but as you can see, there are some flaws, which cannot be ignored.
I have to remove one star because of these flaws. This product deserves a rating of four stars (80 percent).
PS # 1. Emily Mortimer is still active in the business of entertainment. These days she is best known for her role as MacKenzie McHale on the American television series The Newsroom (2012-2014).
PS # 2. Brendan Coyle is still active in the business of entertainment. These days he is best known for his role as John Bates on the British television series Downton Abbey (2010-2015).
*****
The Glass Virgin
Shown on ITV in 1995
Released on DVD in 2003 and 2007
*****
The Glass Virgin
A historical novel
Published in 1969
*****
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