A Hazard of Hearts

1987

Drama / Romance

7
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 60%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 60% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.7/10 10 1696 1.7K

Plot summary

When compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley has lost his estate and all his money playing dice, he realises that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter Serena. In a final game, he stakes his daughter's hand in marriage, convinced that this time he will not lose. Unfortunately, however, he does lose; to the evil Lord Wrotham. Unable to return home and tell his daughter that he has lost her in a game of dice, Sir Giles kills himself there and then. Lord Vulcan, who has witnessed the events, takes pity on Serena Staverley, although they have never met. He challenges Lord Wrotham to a game of dice in which the winner takes both Staverley Court and Miss Serena.

Director

John Hough Photo
John Hough

Top cast

Marcus Gilbert Photo
Marcus Gilbert as Lord Justin Vulcan
Hugh Munro Photo
Hugh Munro as Butler (Mandrake)
Christopher Plummer Photo
Christopher Plummer as Sir Giles Staverley
Fiona Fullerton Photo
Fiona Fullerton as Lady Isabel Gillingham
720p.WEB
824.09 MB
1280*1034
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
29.97 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds 14

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by 8 / 10

A really rather good love story.

I have never been a fan of this genre, nor a fan of romantic novels from the likes of Barbara Cartland, but I have to say I love this movie. A story of love and greed set against the absurdity of the British class system, does true love conquer all? This movie will answer that question for you.It moves along nicely, it looks wonderful, sets and costumes etc, and of course there are the beautiful people, Helena Bonham Carter and Marcus Gilbert, she is soft and feminine, and so beautiful, he's handsome and charming, the pair are great. As is so often the case, the villains steal the show, Fox and Rigg are an absolute joy to watch, they make it worth a look.It is romantic, but it has a story, and a bit of action, it is definitely worth seeing, 8/10.
Reviewed by 7 / 10

Hilarious and entertaining

I didn't go looking for this it found me, it must have rolled on from something else and I was too lazy to switch it off.The story is pure Mills and Boon historical romance, even including a bodice ripping scene.Just think of the amazing cast including Diana Rigg, Christopher Plummer, Edward Fox, Stewart Granger, Anna Massey, Eileen Atkins and a very young Helena Bonham Carter having to say some truly ham-fisted lines.Wonderful over the top performances. I can imagine the actors having a whale of a time during the filming.All in all, it was rollicking good fun reminiscent of early film melodramas.Just lose some brain cells and go along with it and I am sure you too will come out smiling by the end.
Reviewed by 6 / 10

Romance story with luxurious and spectacular scenarios against British high class

Compulsive gambler Sir Giles(Christopher Plummer) has lost his money an estate playing against Lord Wrotham(Edward Fox) . He realises which he only has one thing , his gorgeous daughter Serena(Helena Bonham Carter). Giles stakes his daughter's hand in marriage to villain Lord. Sir Giles lost and he commits suicide himself. Then Lord Justin Vulcan(Marcus Gilbert) is witnessed the deeds and stakes Lord Wrotham to play dices. Justin wins and he now finding himself as owner of the Gilles's mansion and Serena.Lord Justin installs her as a guest at Mandrake palace with maid included(Anna Massey). Trouble is, he can not marry her, until she solves the secret issues contains the mansion.Unfortunately, she becomes a strange into the house and the ambitious Justin's mother , Lady Harriet Vulcan( a despicable Diana Rigg) has less than honorable intentions over Serena.This is a romance-drama plenty of suspense, intrigue, dark secrets,passion and plot-twists. It's an amusing movie and regency romance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail. Based on the romance novel with similar title by Barbara Catland. In fact belongs to quatrain movies directed by John Hough, with similar scenarios and style; same producer(Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade), musician(Laurie Johnson) and author(Barbara Catland), these are : 'A ghost of Montecarlo'(Lysette Anthony,Sarah Miles, Marcus Gilbert), 'The lady and the highway man'(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) and 'Duel of Hearts'(Alison Doody, Michael York).The motion picture is professionally directed by John Hough. He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , starting in TV movies(The protectors, Avengers), directing Hammer movies(Twins of evil), mediocre horror films(Howling IV, American Gothic), adventures(Island of treasure) and wholesome Disney family fare(Return and escape to witch mountain).Rating : Acceptable and passable, this television movie will like to romantic stories fans.
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